Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater Command-Directed Investigation Defense Lawyers
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A Command-Directed Investigation is an administrative inquiry, not a criminal proceeding, used to assess alleged misconduct. At Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, these investigations can escalate into reprimands, separation actions, or even 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.
Answer: Yes, a service member can face administrative separation without a court-martial. This process is separate from the military justice system and focuses on service suitability rather than criminal guilt.
Answer: A BOI is an administrative proceeding that evaluates whether a member should be retained. NJP is a disciplinary tool used by commanders to address alleged misconduct without resorting to a court-martial.
Answer: The burden of proof in a BOI is typically a preponderance of the evidence. This means the board considers whether the alleged basis for separation is more likely true than not.
Answer: A BOI generally consists of three officers selected to review the case. They are tasked with examining the evidence and making findings and recommendations.
Answer: The board may consider documents, witness testimony, service records, and other relevant materials. Both the government and the member may present evidence consistent with procedural rules.
Answer: A BOI can impact retirement eligibility if it results in a recommendation for separation before retirement qualifications are met. The board’s findings may also influence determinations related to retired grade.
Answer: The board reviews the member’s overall service record and the circumstances of the case when recommending a characterization. Options may range from Honorable to Other Than Honorable depending on the findings.
Answer: Yes, service members may retain a civilian attorney to represent them during a BOI. The civilian lawyer can assist with presenting evidence, questioning witnesses, and addressing procedural matters.
Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater sits on Florida’s Gulf Coast at the St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport, embedded within a dense civilian corridor stretching from Clearwater to Tampa. The area’s subtropical climate and extensive coastal waterways shape the station’s operational focus year-round. Its proximity to busy marine traffic and Gulf storms makes the location strategically important for rapid aviation response.
The installation operates alongside civilian aviation facilities, creating a shared-use environment that connects military aircrews with local industry and transportation networks. Clearwater, Largo, and St. Petersburg provide housing, schools, and essential services for military families. This close interaction supports community resilience during major storm seasons and maritime incidents.
The station is home to Coast Guard aviation units that conduct search and rescue, maritime patrol, and disaster response missions across the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. Its aircraft and crews maintain high operational readiness for both domestic emergencies and international tasking. The installation also hosts command elements that coordinate regional air operations.
The air station emphasizes rapid deployment, long‑range patrols, and support for joint maritime security efforts. Crews frequently operate over expansive ocean areas, requiring continuous training and coordination. This mission profile places the station among the busiest aviation hubs in the Coast Guard.
The population consists primarily of active-duty aviation personnel, maintenance teams, and mission support staff. Although not a basic training site, it sustains a steady flow of rotational crews and specialized trainees. The tempo reflects frequent deployments to the Caribbean and Gulf Coast.
Daily operations include aircraft maintenance, flight training, and readiness drills tailored to maritime search and rescue. Units conduct long‑duration patrols that require precise coordination with regional commands. These activities create a dynamic operational rhythm throughout the year.
Service members at the station may encounter UCMJ matters related to investigations, administrative actions, or courts‑martial. High operational tempo and expeditionary tasking can influence how cases arise and are processed. Command responsibilities extend to maintaining discipline during both stateside and deployed missions.
The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers stationed at Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater. Their work includes supporting personnel involved in administrative or judicial proceedings. Representation extends to those assigned permanently or temporarily to the installation.
Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater sits on the northern end of St. Petersburg–Clearwater International Airport on Florida’s Gulf Coast, positioned between Clearwater, Largo, and the greater Tampa Bay region. The installation operates in a coastal environment defined by warm subtropical weather, rapid storm development, and proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. This location is strategically significant for maritime patrol, hurricane response, and long‑range search-and-rescue operations. The air station maintains close ties with the surrounding civilian communities, integrating with local emergency agencies, airport authorities, and regional port operations that rely on Coast Guard aviation support during both routine and crisis events.
The air station is one of the Coast Guard’s largest aviation commands, home to rotary- and fixed‑wing aircraft that conduct missions across the Gulf, Southeast United States, and into the Caribbean basin. Personnel stationed here support counter-narcotics patrols, migrant interdiction, disaster response, and long‑range medical evacuations. While the installation is primarily a Coast Guard facility, it also hosts joint operations with federal partners during surge missions. Its aircraft and crews play a central role in maintaining regional maritime security and providing rapid-response capability during hurricane season and major offshore incidents.
The installation supports a sizable active-duty aviation community, including aircrews, maintenance units, operations personnel, and deployable teams that rotate frequently through missions in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific. Clearwater sees a steady tempo of flight operations, qualification training, and operational deployments, requiring continuous readiness. The mix of aviation maintenance shops, administrative elements, and operational command functions creates a diverse population of service members with varied support needs.
With high operational demand and frequent deployments, service members at Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater may encounter legal issues governed by the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Investigations, administrative actions, non‑judicial punishment, courts‑martial, and separation proceedings can arise from duty-related incidents, off‑base interactions within the Tampa Bay area, or matters occurring during overseas missions. The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers stationed at Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater facing these challenges, providing guidance tailored to the unique operational environment of this major aviation hub.
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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.
