Beale Air Force Base Command-Directed Investigation Defense Lawyers
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A Command-Directed Investigation is an administrative inquiry, not a criminal process, but it can still threaten a service member’s career by escalating into reprimands, separation actions, or even court-martial proceedings at Beale Air Force Base. Gonzalez & Waddington provide defense guidance; call 1-800-921-8607.
Watch the criminal defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington break down how they defend criminal cases and service members worldwide against Federal Charges, Florida State Charges, UCMJ allegations, CID/NCIS/OSI investigations, court-martials, Article 120 cases, administrative separations, and GOMORs. If you’re under investigation or facing charges, this video explains what your rights are and how experienced criminal defense lawyers can make the difference.
If you or a loved one is facing criminal charges or a criminal investigation by federal authorities, the military, or the State of Florida, early defense matters. Gonzalez & Waddington provide disciplined, trial-focused criminal defense for high-stakes cases involving serious allegations and complex evidence. To speak with experienced criminal defense lawyers and get confidential guidance, call 1-800-921-8607 or text 954-909-7407 to request a no-cost, confidential consultation.








Yes, an administrative separation can occur without a court-martial when the command believes a member’s conduct or performance warrants review. This process is separate from judicial proceedings and uses administrative standards.
A BOI is an administrative hearing used to determine whether separation is appropriate, while NJP addresses minor misconduct through command-level disciplinary action. NJP does not automatically trigger separation but may be used as supporting evidence at a BOI.
The burden of proof at a BOI is based on a preponderance of the evidence standard. This means the board decides whether it is more likely than not that the alleged conduct occurred.
A BOI is typically composed of three commissioned officers senior in grade to the member. They review the evidence, ask questions, and make findings based on the record presented.
The board may consider documents, witness statements, performance records, and other relevant materials. It can also review prior disciplinary actions or evaluations connected to the allegations.
A BOI may review whether a member’s service should continue through their retirement eligibility. The findings can influence whether the service member remains on active duty long enough to qualify for retirement benefits.
The board reviews the member’s overall service record, performance, and any substantiated misconduct. Using these factors, it recommends a characterization such as honorable, general, or under other than honorable conditions.
A service member may retain a civilian attorney at their own expense to participate in the BOI process. The civilian lawyer can present evidence and question witnesses in accordance with board procedures.
Beale Air Force Base sits in northern California, east of Marysville and Yuba City, in the lower Sierra Nevada foothills. Its position between agricultural valleys and rising terrain influences flight operations and airspace use. The base maintains close ties with nearby rural communities that support its workforce.
The base is surrounded by open rangeland and farmland, creating a controlled environment for high-altitude and reconnaissance missions. Its proximity to Sacramento provides access to major transportation routes. Civilian communities rely on the base for economic activity and shared infrastructure.
Beale hosts Air Force units focused on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. The installation supports advanced aircraft and systems that require specialized operations. Tenant organizations contribute to a mission set centered on global awareness and rapid response capability.
The base’s mission emphasizes gathering and processing critical intelligence for national defense. Units operating from Beale integrate airborne and ground-based assets to support strategic decision-making. This role places the installation at the center of long-range reconnaissance operations.
The base hosts a substantial active duty population supporting flying, intelligence, maintenance, and communications functions. Personnel activity fluctuates with training demands and global taskings. The installation’s specialized capabilities draw rotational teams and mission partners throughout the year.
Daily operations include aircraft launches, intelligence production, and technical training. High-tempo mission schedules create steady movement of aircrews, analysts, and support personnel. These activities reinforce readiness for worldwide taskings.
Service members at Beale may encounter UCMJ matters connected to investigations, administrative actions, or courts-martial. The installation’s operational pace and specialized mission create circumstances requiring command oversight and legal processes. Transient personnel can also face jurisdictional considerations.
The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers stationed at or passing through Beale Air Force Base. Their work involves cases arising from the installation’s unique mission and operational setting. Representation may involve matters linked to both on-base and mission-related activities.
Beale Air Force Base is located in northern California’s Sacramento Valley, surrounded by the rural communities of Wheatland, Linda, and Marysville, with the larger metropolitan area of Sacramento less than an hour to the south. The base sits on expansive rolling terrain near the Sierra Nevada foothills, a landscape that supports both aviation operations and large training corridors. Its position within this lightly populated region is strategically valuable, providing wide airspace for high-altitude and intelligence missions while maintaining close ties to nearby civilian towns that rely on the installation for economic activity and employment.
The base is home to United States Air Force units central to national intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations. Beale is known for hosting high‑altitude platforms and intelligence-gathering missions that support combatant commands worldwide. Key tenant units conduct global reconnaissance and provide critical data to joint and coalition forces. The installation’s mission portfolio requires continuous readiness, technical expertise, and coordination with national defense agencies, making Beale a cornerstone of U.S. strategic awareness operations.
The active duty population at Beale reflects its operational demands, consisting of aircrew, intelligence specialists, maintainers, and support personnel. While the base does not function as a large technical training hub, it maintains a steady operational tempo tied to reconnaissance sorties, rotational taskings, and frequent deployments supporting overseas intelligence missions. The presence of advanced aircraft and sophisticated sensor systems drives a high level of technical activity, and the base supports a mix of operational squadrons, mission planning elements, and essential support services.
Because of the nature of its missions, service members assigned to or transiting through Beale may encounter a range of military justice issues under the UCMJ. Investigations, administrative actions, non‑judicial punishment, courts‑martial, and separation proceedings can arise from the demanding operational environment, security requirements, or deployment‑related pressures unique to intelligence and high‑altitude mission communities. The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers at Beale Air Force Base who are facing these types of legal challenges.
https://www.beale.af.mil/
Yes, a CDI can escalate into a court-martial if the findings support criminal charges under the UCMJ. Commands may refer the case for prosecution after review.
The standard of proof is administrative, typically a preponderance of the evidence, meaning more likely than not. This is much lower than the criminal standard.
Yes, while a CDI itself does not impose punishment, its findings can lead to NJP, Letters of Reprimand, court-martial charges, or administrative separation.
The investigation is conducted by an appointed Investigating Officer, usually another service member, who is tasked with gathering facts and reporting findings to the command.
A Command-Directed Investigation is ordered by a commander with appropriate authority over the service member or unit involved. The decision is often made after consultation with legal advisors.