Camp Lemonnier Command-Directed Investigation Defense Lawyers
Table Contents
A Command-Directed Investigation is an administrative, not criminal, inquiry used by commanders to address alleged misconduct or performance issues. At Camp Lemonnier, these actions can still jeopardize a service member’s career and may escalate into reprimands, separation, or even court‑martial. For guidance, contact Gonzalez & Waddington at 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.
Answer: Yes, administrative separation can occur without a court-martial because it is a nonjudicial personnel action. It focuses on service suitability rather than criminal guilt. The process follows regulatory standards rather than criminal procedures.
Answer: A Board of Inquiry is an administrative process used to determine whether a service member should be retained. Nonjudicial Punishment is a disciplinary mechanism for addressing alleged misconduct without a trial. The two processes serve different purposes and operate under separate rules.
Answer: The burden of proof is typically a preponderance of the evidence. This means the board must determine whether it is more likely than not that the alleged basis for separation occurred. It is a lower threshold than criminal proceedings.
Answer: A Board of Inquiry is usually composed of three commissioned officers. At least one member often has experience in the same or similar military specialty as the respondent. All members are expected to review the case impartially.
Answer: The board may consider documents, testimony, service records, and other relevant materials. Evidence rules are more flexible than in criminal courts. The board determines what information is appropriate to review for administrative purposes.
Answer: A Board of Inquiry may review factors related to a service member’s time in service and eligibility for retirement. Administrative findings can influence whether a member continues service long enough to reach retirement. Regulations guide how retirement-related issues are evaluated.
Answer: The board evaluates the service member’s record, performance, and the circumstances of the case. Characterization is based on the overall quality of service as documented in the record. Regulations outline the criteria for each characterization level.
Answer: Yes, a service member may retain a civilian lawyer at their own expense. The civilian lawyer can participate in the proceedings alongside appointed military counsel. Participation follows the procedures established for administrative boards.
Camp Lemonnier is located in Djibouti City on the southern coast of the Gulf of Aden, where the Red Sea meets global shipping routes. The base sits near civilian neighborhoods and the international airport, creating a close interface between military and local communities. Its arid desert climate and coastal terrain shape daily operations and logistics.
The installation’s position near the Bab el-Mandeb strait provides access to one of the world’s busiest maritime corridors. From this location, U.S. forces can monitor regional security dynamics across East Africa and the Middle East. The surrounding urban environment reinforces the base’s role as a forward-operating hub.
The base hosts primarily U.S. Navy and joint-service elements supporting regional missions. Tenant commands often include aviation detachments, intelligence teams, and special operations support units. These forces collectively maintain readiness for short-notice activity across multiple theaters.
Camp Lemonnier serves as a central platform for counterterrorism, maritime security, and contingency operations. It supports air and ground missions extending into the Horn of Africa and adjacent regions. The base’s infrastructure enables sustained deployments and rapid coordination with partners.
The population fluctuates based on rotational cycles, with a consistent presence of active duty personnel and deployed detachments. Aviation, logistics, engineering, and command-and-control functions make up much of the daily activity. Surge periods can increase the operational tempo significantly.
Flight operations, joint training, and regional engagement anchor the base’s routine. Units prepare for missions that span intelligence gathering, security cooperation, and emergency response. This steady pace reflects the installation’s forward-deployed role.
Because the base supports continuous regional operations, service members may encounter UCMJ matters such as investigations, administrative actions, or courts-martial. The deployed setting can influence timelines and procedures for addressing these issues. Command responsibilities and operational demands often shape how cases progress.
Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers stationed at or deployed through Camp Lemonnier. Their work extends to those navigating UCMJ proceedings connected to the base’s mission environment. Representation covers personnel from various branches operating in this forward location.
Camp Lemonnier is located in Djibouti, along the southern edge of the Gulf of Tadjoura in the Horn of Africa. Positioned adjacent to Djibouti–Ambouli International Airport and just minutes from the capital city of Djibouti City, the installation sits in one of the world’s most strategically important maritime corridors near the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait. The region’s arid climate, rocky desert terrain, and proximity to major international shipping lanes shape both daily life and the broader mission of the base. Camp Lemonnier maintains regular interaction with surrounding civilian communities, supporting local employment and coordinating essential logistics with Djiboutian institutions.
Military Presence & Mission
Camp Lemonnier serves as the primary U.S. military installation in East Africa and supports joint operations led primarily by the U.S. Navy and U.S. Africa Command. The base provides a forward presence for counterterrorism, security cooperation, intelligence, and regional stability missions. It serves as a hub for aviation, maritime, and special operations activities across the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Tenant commands conduct surveillance flights, regional engagement missions, and rapid-response operations, making the installation an essential node for both contingency and long‑term strategic commitments.
Service Member Population & Activity
The base supports a substantial and continuously rotating population of active duty personnel, contractors, and allied partners. Operations at Camp Lemonnier involve aviation detachments, logistics teams, intelligence elements, medical support teams, and expeditionary units that transition regularly based on regional requirements. High operational tempo, demanding deployment cycles, and joint-service coordination define day-to-day activity, with many service members deploying into or through the base as part of broader missions across East Africa and Southwest Asia.
Military Law & UCMJ Relevance
The unique mission profile of Camp Lemonnier means that service members may encounter UCMJ matters involving investigations, adverse administrative actions, non‑judicial punishment, courts-martial, or separation proceedings. The forward‑operating environment, combined with the stresses of deployment and joint operations, can influence how legal issues arise and how they are processed. Service members at Camp Lemonnier can seek assistance from the military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington, who represent personnel stationed at or deployed to the installation.
https://www.cnic.navy.mil/Lemonnier/
The length of a CDI varies depending on complexity, number of witnesses, and command urgency. Some are completed quickly, while others may take weeks or months.
Service members retain certain rights, including Article 31(b) protections when suspected of an offense. These rights apply even though the investigation is administrative.
Yes, statements made during a CDI are often included in the investigative report and can be used in later administrative or criminal proceedings.
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.
