How to Survive a Military Command Investigation – The Complete 2026 Defense Guide

TLDR – The Fastest Way to Destroy Your Military Career Is to Mishandle a Command Investigation

A military command investigation is not “just administrative.” It is the government’s opportunity to create an official narrative about you—one that may brand you as dishonest, incompetent, abusive, unsafe, or unfit for continued service. Command investigations lead directly to GOMORs, NJP, adverse evaluations, separations, Boards of Inquiry, and even court-martial charges. If you are the subject of a command investigation, your strategy must begin immediately.

• A command investigation is often more dangerous than a criminal investigation.
• Investigating officers rarely have investigative training and are influenced by command expectations.
• What you say—and what you fail to say—will become “fact” in your official record.
• Most negative findings lead to follow-on punishment or career-ending administrative action.
• Gonzalez & Waddington is known as the top command investigation defense firm worldwide.

Why Command Investigations Are One of the Most Misunderstood Threats in the Military

Unlike criminal investigations, which are conducted by trained agents, command investigations are overseen by officers who often have no background in evidence handling, interviewing, bias control, or investigative technique. These officers typically rely heavily on what the complaint says and what the command wants them to find. The results are predictable: slanted summaries, incomplete findings, and conclusions based on assumptions—not facts.

Command investigations are used to determine whether “adverse administrative action” is warranted. This phrase may sound harmless, but it includes some of the most damaging outcomes in military law, such as:

• General Officer Memoranda of Reprimand (GOMORs)
• Letters of reprimand or counseling
• Bars to continued service or denial of reenlistment
• Adverse OERs/NCOERs/FITREPs
• Relief for cause
• Administrative separations and elimination boards
• Officer Boards of Inquiry
• Referrals to court-martial

In many cases, the command investigation becomes the “source code” for the government’s entire case against you. Fix the investigation, and you can often stop everything that follows.

What a Military Command Investigation Actually Is

A command investigation is an administrative inquiry directed by a commander to evaluate allegations of misconduct, poor leadership, misuse of resources, policy violations, or other incidents that require official review. Across the services, the terminology differs—but the danger is the same:

• Army: AR 15-6 investigations
• Air Force/Space Force: Command-Directed Investigations (CDIs)
• Navy/Marine Corps: JAGMAN Investigations
• Coast Guard: Administrative Investigations

Under every system, the investigating officer is appointed by a commander who defines the scope, specifies the issues, and receives the final report. This means the findings are heavily influenced by command priorities and politics—not objective justice.

The Real Purpose of Command Investigations

A common misconception is that command investigations are “fact-finding missions.” In reality, they serve three purposes:

• To create an official record of the incident as interpreted by the command.
• To justify future actions against you—administrative, punitive, or criminal.
• To allow the command to manage risk by removing or disciplining personnel quickly.

This is why your written rebuttal must be strategic, professional, and backed by evidence—not emotional, defensive, or rushed.

Common Reasons Service Members End Up in a Command Investigation

Below are some of the most frequent triggers for command investigations, across all military branches:

1. Allegations of Toxic or Abusive Leadership

Subordinates, peers, or disgruntled team members may accuse you of improper leadership, hazing, intimidation, or morale issues.

2. Misconduct or Inappropriate Relationships

These include fraternization, adultery, unprofessional email or text exchanges, or social media issues.

3. Misuse of Government Resources

GTC misuse, travel voucher discrepancies, misuse of vehicles, or improper expenditures.

4. Safety Violations or Training Incidents

Accidents, negligent discharges, injuries during training, or equipment losses.

5. EO/SHARP Complaints

Allegations of harassment, discrimination, or unfair treatment often lead directly to command investigations.

Each of these areas carries massive career consequences. If you fail to defend yourself early, the investigation becomes the weapon used against you for years to come.

The Lifecycle of a Command Investigation

Initial Inquiry (Often Secret)

Before you’re ever notified, the command may already be gathering information. Leaders may be interviewing junior personnel, reviewing emails, or analyzing performance concerns.

Appointment of the Investigating Officer

The IO is usually an officer with zero investigative background. They will be briefed by JAG, provided a checklist, and instructed on what the command “needs to know.”

Evidence Collection

The IO gathers interviews, emails, texts, policy documents, and witness statements. Bias often shapes what they look for—and what they ignore.

Your Notification

Once you are named the subject, anything you say can and will be placed in the record. This is where most careers are lost—because people talk too much.

Findings & Conclusions

The IO creates “findings of fact” that become the official truth unless challenged. This is the moment your rebuttal becomes mission-critical.

Approval Authority Review

The commander above the IO makes the final decision. A masterfully crafted rebuttal from your defense team can persuade the approval authority to reject bad findings.

Five Critical Tips for Surviving a Command Investigation

• Tip 1 – Do not speak to the IO without a defense lawyer. Anything you say becomes evidence.
• Tip 2 – Do not trust that your chain of command is “just gathering facts.” They are building a case.
• Tip 3 – Preserve all digital evidence immediately. Screenshots, texts, emails, witnesses—everything.
• Tip 4 – Begin building your rebuttal strategy early. Waiting until the draft findings appear is too late.
• Tip 5 – Hire the best civilian military defense lawyers available. Your career depends on expert advocacy.

Why Gonzalez & Waddington Are Known as the Top Command Investigation Lawyers in the World

Our firm has handled more command investigations—and written more successful rebuttals—than almost any defense firm in the world. Our experience spans deployments, Europe, Asia, the Pacific, the Middle East, and every service branch. We are known for:

• Rewriting the narrative when the IO gets it wrong.
• Crafting rebuttals that force commanders to reject biased findings.
• Stopping NJP, GOMORs, separations, and BOIs before they start.
• Advising high-ranking officers and senior NCOs in high-stakes cases.
• Strategic defense that anticipates every downstream consequence.

External Resource

For official Army guidance, see: Army Regulation 15-6 – Procedures for Administrative Investigations.

Protect Your Career Now

If you are the subject of a command investigation, time is not on your side. The IO is already building the narrative. You need your own team and your own strategy.

➤ Speak to Gonzalez & Waddington for a confidential case assessment.

Rebuttals That Win

A powerful rebuttal can save your rank, your retirement, your clearance, and your future. Never submit a DIY rebuttal that will be dismissed by the command.

➤ Hire our team to craft a strategic, persuasive rebuttal that commands cannot ignore.

Military Command Investigation Defense – Frequently Asked Questions