Dover Air Force Base Command-Directed Investigation Defense Lawyers
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A Command-Directed Investigation is an administrative, not criminal, inquiry used by commanders at Dover Air Force Base to assess alleged misconduct. Findings can trigger reprimands, separation actions, or referral to court‑martial. Gonzalez & Waddington provide defense guidance; contact 1-800-921-8607 for information.
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 undergo administrative separation without a court-martial if the command believes certain grounds are met. This process is administrative rather than criminal and follows its own set of procedures. It can occur even when no judicial charges are filed.
Answer: A BOI is a formal administrative hearing to determine whether a member should be retained in service. NJP is a disciplinary tool for minor offenses and does not determine separation. The BOI process includes a panel, while NJP decisions are made by the commander.
Answer: The standard is typically a preponderance of the evidence, meaning the board must find it more likely than not that the basis for separation exists. This is lower than the proof standard used in criminal trials. The board applies this standard to both the allegations and the member’s overall record.
Answer: A BOI panel usually consists of three officers, with at least one being senior to the member. These officers review the evidence and make findings regarding retention. None of the panel members may have a disqualifying conflict of interest.
Answer: The board may review documents, testimony, service records, and other materials relevant to the basis for separation. The rules of evidence are more relaxed than in a court-martial. Both the government and the member can present materials for consideration.
Answer: A BOI can determine whether a member is allowed to continue serving to reach retirement eligibility. The board’s findings may also influence what type of discharge is issued. Retirement benefits depend on service status at the time of separation.
Answer: The board evaluates the member’s performance, conduct, and the circumstances of the case. It then recommends a characterization such as Honorable, General, or Other Than Honorable. The final characterization reflects the overall quality of service.
Answer: Yes, a member may be represented by a civilian attorney at their own expense. The civilian lawyer can participate fully in the proceedings alongside military counsel if the member chooses. This representation is permitted because the process is administrative rather than criminal.
Dover Air Force Base sits in central Delaware, just southeast of the city of Dover and within easy reach of coastal towns along the Delaware Bay. The surrounding terrain is flat and coastal, contributing to the area’s mild, variable climate. Its placement along major East Coast transit routes enhances its strategic value for rapid movement of personnel and cargo.
The installation is closely integrated with Dover and Kent County, where military families rely on local schools, services, and businesses. Community partnerships support events, shared infrastructure, and workforce connections. This proximity strengthens cooperation during emergencies and regional initiatives.
Dover Air Force Base hosts Air Mobility Command units that specialize in global airlift and rapid logistics. Its aircraft and crews support worldwide transport missions essential to joint operations. Tenant organizations further contribute to command, maintenance, and support capabilities.
The installation functions as a major hub for strategic airlift, enabling sustained mobility for combat, humanitarian, and contingency missions. Its infrastructure supports heavy cargo aircraft and high-volume operations. This role places the base at the center of global readiness efforts.
The active-duty population is substantial, reflecting the scale of airlift operations and maintenance activity. Personnel support flying missions, logistics planning, medical services, and administrative functions. Rotational demands and deployment cycles keep the base’s workforce consistently active.
Frequent aircraft launches, maintenance cycles, and cargo processing define the installation’s tempo. Training for aircrews, logisticians, and support staff is continuous to sustain mission readiness. These activities create a dynamic environment for service members and families.
Service members stationed or transiting through the base may face UCMJ-related issues tied to high operational demands. Investigations, administrative actions, non-judicial punishment, or courts-martial can arise from incidents on or off duty. The mission’s intensity can influence how these matters unfold.
The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers at Dover Air Force Base. Their work supports individuals navigating UCMJ investigations or administrative proceedings. This representation is available regardless of unit or mission assignment.
Dover Air Force Base is located in central Delaware, just southeast of the city of Dover and within reach of the state’s coastal communities along the Delaware Bay. The base sits on relatively flat Mid-Atlantic terrain marked by agricultural land, wetlands, and a moderate climate that allows year-round flight and logistics operations. Its position along the Eastern Seaboard gives it quick access to major population centers such as Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C., which strengthens transportation, supply, and mobility networks. Dover’s integration with local civilian communities is significant; service members regularly engage with nearby schools, businesses, and state agencies, and the base’s economic impact plays a major role in the region’s stability.
Dover Air Force Base hosts a major Air Mobility Command presence, supporting global airlift and rapid logistics missions critical to national defense. Home to some of the nation’s largest aircraft, the installation plays a central role in transporting personnel, equipment, and humanitarian aid around the world. Its tenant units contribute to strategic airlift capability, maintenance operations, and mobility support functions that ensure the United States can respond rapidly to contingencies. The mission set also includes dignified transfer operations, which uniquely defines Dover’s role within the Department of Defense.
The base supports a substantial active duty and civilian workforce focused on mobility, maintenance, medical, and command functions. Operations run continuously due to global transport requirements, and personnel frequently participate in rotational deployments and high-tempo logistics missions. Training activities emphasize aircraft readiness, cargo handling, and mobility support, creating a dynamic environment where units must maintain constant preparedness for overseas movement.
The operational demands at Dover Air Force Base contribute to a range of military justice issues, including investigations, adverse administrative actions, non-judicial punishment, and courts-martial. High workloads, global deployment cycles, and aircraft maintenance pressures can create circumstances where UCMJ actions arise. Service members assigned to or passing through the installation may require legal defense during inquiries or separation proceedings. The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers stationed at Dover Air Force Base.
https://www.dover.af.mil/
A Command-Directed Investigation is an administrative inquiry ordered by a commander to gather facts about alleged misconduct, performance issues, or concerns affecting good order and discipline. It is not a criminal proceeding.
Many service members choose to hire civilian military defense lawyers during a CDI because early involvement can affect how statements, evidence, and findings are documented and later used.
The CDI report itself is not always permanently filed, but its findings and resulting actions often become part of the service member’s administrative record.
Yes, CDI results can be used to initiate administrative separation or a Board of Inquiry, even if no criminal charges are filed.
After completion, the Investigating Officer submits a written report with findings and recommendations. The command then decides what action, if any, to take.
