Camp Zama Command-Directed Investigation Defense Lawyers
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A Command-Directed Investigation is an administrative inquiry used to address alleged misconduct; while not criminal, it can still jeopardize a service member’s career at Camp Zama. Findings may escalate into reprimands, separation actions, or even court-martial. Gonzalez & Waddington provide 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. Administrative separation is a separate process from the military justice system and does not require a court-martial to proceed.
It is handled through command channels and follows regulatory procedures rather than criminal adjudication.
A BOI is an administrative hearing focused on whether a service member should be retained or separated. NJP is a disciplinary tool used by commanders to address alleged misconduct without a formal trial.
While a BOI reviews service suitability, NJP addresses specific violations under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
The burden of proof is generally a preponderance of the evidence, meaning the board determines whether the allegations are more likely than not to be true. This standard is lower than that used in criminal proceedings.
The government presents its case first, and the board evaluates whether the burden has been met.
A BOI is typically composed of three officers, with one serving as the board president. The members are senior to the respondent and selected to ensure fairness and impartiality.
Additional personnel such as a recorder and legal advisor may participate in the proceedings.
The board may review documents, witness testimony, service records, and any exhibits submitted by either side. The rules allow for a wider range of admissible material than in a court-martial.
The board decides what weight to give each piece of evidence based on relevance and credibility.
A BOI may examine whether a service member’s conduct impacts eligibility to retire or retire in grade. The board’s findings can be part of the record reviewed during retirement processing.
Final decisions are made under the applicable service regulations for retired status and grade determination.
The board may make recommendations regarding the type of discharge characterization when separation is considered. These characterizations reflect the quality of the member’s service as understood by the board.
The final determination is made by the appropriate separation authority.
Yes, service members are permitted to have a civilian attorney represent them at a BOI at their own expense. The civilian lawyer can participate in presenting evidence and questioning witnesses.
This representation functions alongside the military counsel provided to the service member.
A: Camp Zama sits in Kanagawa Prefecture on Japan’s main island of Honshu, positioned between the cities of Zama and Sagamihara. Its proximity to Tokyo places it within one of the most densely interconnected regions of the country. The surrounding neighborhoods form a continuous urban corridor that blends civilian life with a long-standing U.S.–Japan military presence.
A: The base lies in a strategic transit zone with direct access to major rail networks, highways, and ports supporting U.S. and allied missions across the Indo-Pacific. The temperate climate and developed infrastructure allow year-round command and support operations. Local Japanese communities regularly interact with base personnel through shared services and cooperative programs.
A: Camp Zama serves as the principal U.S. Army installation in Japan, hosting key command-and-control elements. Its mission centers on theater-level coordination with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. Long-term U.S.–Japan interoperability efforts shape much of the daily activity on the installation.
A: The base supports operational planning, regional security cooperation, and wide-area sustainment functions across the Indo-Pacific. Major tenant units conduct intelligence, logistics, and headquarters operations. These missions reinforce bilateral defense arrangements and enable forward presence.
A: The installation hosts a moderate but consistently active duty population, including command staff, support personnel, and specialized units. Rotational activity is common due to joint exercises and regional movement. The tempo reflects its role as a headquarters-focused location rather than a large training post.
A: Personnel engage in command operations, joint coordination with Japanese forces, and mission planning for regional contingencies. Limited on-base training occurs, with most field exercises conducted at partnered sites. Aviation, medical, and logistics elements operate in support roles.
A: Service members at Camp Zama encounter UCMJ matters that arise from command duties, international coordination, and the demands of overseas service. Investigations, administrative actions, and non-judicial proceedings may occur during routine operations. The joint environment can add layers of coordination in handling legal processes.
A: The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent service members stationed at or passing through Camp Zama. Their work covers cases involving investigations, courts-martial, and administrative actions. Representation extends to both long-term personnel and those on temporary assignment.
Camp Zama is located in Kanagawa Prefecture on the southeastern coast of Honshu, Japan, positioned between the urban expanse of Tokyo and the historic port city of Yokohama. The installation sits near the communities of Zama and Sagamihara, areas known for dense residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, and easy access to rail networks that connect the base to the wider Kanto region. The surrounding terrain features gently rolling hills and a humid, temperate climate that shapes year-round training and daily life. Camp Zama’s proximity to major population centers provides strategic value, enabling rapid coordination with U.S. and Japanese defense partners while maintaining close integration with local municipalities.
Camp Zama serves as the headquarters for key U.S. Army elements in Japan and acts as a central hub for bilateral coordination with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force. As a command-focused installation, it hosts units responsible for theater-level planning, communications, and operational support across the Indo-Pacific. While not a large maneuver-training base, Camp Zama fulfills critical oversight, readiness, and partnership functions that shape regional deterrence strategies and joint military cooperation.
The installation supports a moderate but steady active duty population, including Soldiers, joint-service personnel, and civilian specialists involved in command, intelligence, logistics, and signal operations. Activity levels remain consistently high due to continuous coordination with Japanese counterparts, rotational forces moving through the Kanto Plain, and the responsibilities tied to overseeing U.S. Army missions across Japan. Although not oriented toward large-scale field exercises, Camp Zama maintains a deliberate training tempo focused on staff readiness, operational planning, and interoperability.
Service members stationed at or traveling through Camp Zama may encounter UCMJ issues, including investigations, administrative actions, non-judicial punishment, courts-martial, or separation proceedings. The installation’s operational environment—marked by joint coordination, frequent travel, and mission-driven demands—can influence how legal matters arise and how cases are processed overseas. The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers at Camp Zama, providing support to those facing military justice challenges while assigned to this strategically positioned installation.
https://www.usag-japan.army.mil/
CDIs are often triggered by complaints, performance concerns, policy violations, interpersonal conflicts, or incidents that require command clarification.
Yes, the scope of a CDI can be expanded if new allegations or issues arise during fact-finding. This is common in practice.
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.
