Cannon Air Force Base Command-Directed Investigation Defense Lawyers
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A Command-Directed Investigation is an administrative—not criminal—Air Force inquiry used to resolve concerns about a service member’s conduct or performance. At Cannon Air Force Base, these investigations can escalate into reprimands, separation actions, or court-martial exposure. 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. Administrative separation can occur independently of any court-martial action. It is a command-driven process that evaluates a service member’s suitability for continued service based on documented performance or conduct.
A Board of Inquiry is an administrative process. NJP addresses alleged misconduct through disciplinary measures, while a BOI examines whether a service member should remain in the service. The two processes operate under different authorities and standards.
The burden of proof is on the government. The board must determine whether the evidence meets the required administrative standard. This standard is different from that used in criminal proceedings.
The board is composed of commissioned officers. Members are selected to review the case and evaluate the evidence presented. Their role is to determine whether separation should be recommended.
The board may review documents, testimony, and service records. Both the government and the service member can present materials relevant to the allegations. The board evaluates this information to make administrative findings.
A BOI can affect eligibility to retire if separation is recommended. The board’s findings may influence whether a member continues service long enough to reach retirement status. Any impact depends on the administrative determinations made during the process.
The board may recommend different administrative characterizations. Possible outcomes can range from honorable to other-than-honorable depending on the case record. The characterization reflects the board’s assessment of the member’s service.
Yes, civilian counsel is permitted. A service member may bring a civilian attorney at their own expense in addition to any detailed military counsel. The civilian attorney can participate in presentations and examinations during the proceeding.
Cannon Air Force Base sits in eastern New Mexico, just outside the city of Clovis and near the Texas border. Its location on the High Plains features a semi-arid climate and wide‑open terrain that supports low‑level flight operations and specialized training. The base maintains close ties with surrounding communities, which provide essential services and workforce support.
The expansive airspace and rural environment allow Cannon AFB to conduct missions requiring minimal urban congestion. This setting supports aircraft routing, night operations, and remote training profiles. The region’s geography enables mission sets that would be challenging in more populated areas.
The United States Air Force operates Cannon AFB as home to Air Force Special Operations Command elements. Units at the installation conduct specialized aviation and support missions tailored to global response requirements. The base’s infrastructure is built around rapid‑deployment and precision‑focused capabilities.
Cannon’s mission centers on providing special operations airpower with unique mobility, reconnaissance, and support functions. Aircraft and crews train for complex, low‑visibility environments across diverse global theaters. The installation supports continuous readiness through high‑tempo training cycles.
The base hosts aviation crews, intelligence professionals, maintenance personnel, and specialized support teams. These units integrate to sustain mission planning, aircraft preparation, and operational execution. Their combined activity ensures Cannon’s role in the broader special operations enterprise.
Cannon AFB supports a substantial active duty population aligned with its aviation and special operations focus. Personnel rotate frequently due to deployment schedules and training demands. The operational rhythm reflects both stateside preparation and forward engagement requirements.
The base’s open terrain allows for low‑altitude flight, night operations, and joint mission rehearsals. These conditions create a steady training pace involving aircrews, support staff, and mission planners. Such activity contributes to a dynamic, deployment‑oriented environment.
Service members at Cannon AFB may face UCMJ matters such as investigations, administrative actions, or courts‑martial stemming from operational demands or training conditions. The high‑tempo environment often results in legal issues arising during deployments, exercises, or squadron activities. The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers stationed at Cannon Air Force Base.
Cannon Air Force Base is located in eastern New Mexico, just outside the community of Clovis and within driving distance of the Texas state line. The installation sits on the High Plains, a region known for wide-open terrain, low humidity, and significant temperature swings between seasons. This geography provides valuable airspace and training conditions for operational units. Cannon maintains close ties with surrounding communities in Curry County, where military families rely on local schools, medical providers, and businesses that have long supported the installation’s mission and personnel.
The base is home to Air Force Special Operations Command units, giving Cannon a distinct mission profile within the region. Its aircrews, support teams, and specialized operators train for precision strike, global access, and irregular warfare missions that require flexible deployment capabilities. Aviation assets and ground elements operate side by side, and the installation hosts tenant organizations that support intelligence, logistics, and mission planning functions essential to special operations activities.
Cannon’s active duty population is substantial for the region, with a steady flow of airmen, aircrew, maintainers, and support personnel engaged in high-tempo training cycles. Many units maintain deployment-ready postures, conducting exercises across the expansive New Mexico training ranges and rotating forces abroad. The base also supports a broad mix of operational aviation, maintenance, medical, and command functions, creating a diverse environment for service members and their families.
The demanding mission and consistent tempo at Cannon Air Force Base mean that military justice issues can arise in a variety of contexts. Service members stationed at or passing through the installation may face matters under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, including command investigations, administrative actions, non-judicial punishment, courts-martial, or separation proceedings. The specialized nature of the operations conducted at Cannon often influences how these cases develop, as training demands, deployment schedules, and mission requirements can affect timelines and command decision-making. The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers at Cannon Air Force Base, providing support to those navigating the complexities of the military justice system.
https://www.cannon.af.mil/
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.
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.
