Fort Hood Command-Directed Investigation Defense Lawyers
Table Contents
A Command-Directed Investigation is an administrative inquiry, not a criminal process, yet it can still jeopardize a service member’s career by escalating into reprimands, separation, or even court-martial actions. At Fort Hood, Gonzalez & Waddington provide defense guidance; call 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.
Yes, a service member can face administrative separation without a court-martial. This process is handled through command channels and does not require a criminal conviction. It focuses on administrative determinations rather than criminal findings.
A Board of Inquiry is an administrative hearing used to determine whether a service member should be retained in the military. Nonjudicial punishment is a disciplinary tool for minor offenses and does not decide separation. The two processes serve different purposes and follow different procedures.
The burden of proof in a Board of Inquiry is typically a preponderance of the evidence. This means the board evaluates whether the evidence shows it is more likely than not that the alleged conduct occurred. The standard is lower than what is required in a criminal court-martial.
The board generally consists of three commissioned officers. At least one member is usually senior to the service member being reviewed. The members review evidence and make findings based on the administrative standards set by the service branch.
The board may review documents, witness statements, service records, and other relevant materials. Both the government and the service member may present evidence for the board’s consideration. All information is evaluated under administrative, not criminal, rules.
A Board of Inquiry may review a service member’s eligibility to continue serving until retirement. Its findings can influence whether the member remains on active duty long enough to qualify for retirement benefits. The impact depends on administrative determinations made by the board and chain of command.
The board can recommend a characterization of service such as Honorable, General, or Other Than Honorable. This recommendation is based on the service record and the evidence presented. The final characterization is determined through the administrative separation process.
A service member may have a civilian lawyer represent them at a Board of Inquiry. The civilian attorney works alongside any assigned military counsel. Their participation follows the rules and procedures governing administrative hearings.
Fort Hood sits in central Texas between the cities of Killeen, Copperas Cove, and Gatesville. Its position along the limestone plains creates open terrain that supports large-scale maneuver training. The surrounding civilian communities maintain strong economic and cultural ties to the installation.
The base occupies a broad stretch of the Texas Hill Country’s transition zone, with hot summers, mild winters, and expansive training areas. Its proximity to major Texas transportation corridors enhances strategic mobility. Local towns rely on the post for employment, commerce, and shared community services.
Daily movement between the installation and Killeen–Temple area fosters constant interaction between military families and civilian organizations. Schools, medical facilities, and businesses frequently coordinate with the post. This integration shapes a regional identity that is closely linked to Army activity.
Fort Hood is one of the Army’s largest power‑projection platforms, hosting major combat formations and enabling rapid deployment. The installation supports armored, aviation, sustainment, and command elements. Its infrastructure is built around preparing units for large-scale operations.
The post focuses on equipping, training, and mobilizing forces for global contingency requirements. Its ranges and airfields allow continuous combined‑arms exercises. These capabilities make it a central node in the Army’s operational readiness cycle.
Fort Hood maintains a substantial active duty population, including soldiers in deployable brigades and specialized support units. Aviation, intelligence, logistics, and medical missions operate simultaneously across the installation. High rotation and training tempo contribute to constant movement of personnel.
Frequent field exercises, rail loadouts, and air movements shape the rhythm of life on post. Units often prepare for overseas rotations while conducting local readiness tasks. This steady flow of activity influences both service members and their families.
The installation’s training intensity and deployment cycles can lead to UCMJ matters such as investigations, administrative actions, non‑judicial punishment, and courts‑martial. Legal proceedings may involve soldiers assigned to or moving through the post’s commands. The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers at Fort Hood.
Fort Hood, located in Central Texas between the cities of Killeen, Copperas Cove, and Harker Heights, is positioned along the eastern edge of the Texas Hill Country. The region features rolling terrain, wide training corridors, and a generally warm climate that allows for year-round field operations. Its placement near major state highways provides rapid access to Austin and Waco, enabling coordination with civilian infrastructure and supporting logistical movement. The surrounding communities are closely tied to the installation, with local businesses, schools, and services shaped by the large military population that moves through the area.
Fort Hood is a major U.S. Army installation known for supporting heavy forces, including armored, mechanized, and aviation units. Its mission centers on preparing combat-ready formations capable of deploying on short notice. The installation houses key operational commands that conduct large-scale training exercises, gunnery operations, and brigade-level mission rehearsals across its extensive ranges. Fort Hood’s infrastructure supports a broad spectrum of Army activities, from sustainment operations to mission command and aviation support, making it one of the Army’s most critical power-projection platforms.
With one of the Army’s largest active-duty populations, Fort Hood hosts thousands of soldiers, dependents, and civilian personnel. The installation supports a high operational tempo, with units routinely preparing for or returning from overseas deployments. Its training areas accommodate armored maneuver, aviation training, intelligence operations, logistics support, and medical readiness activities. Continuous rotations, field exercises, and large-scale mobilizations contribute to a dynamic environment where service members frequently transition between home-station tasks and deployment cycles.
The size and operational intensity of Fort Hood mean that service members stationed or temporarily assigned there may encounter a range of military justice issues. Investigations, administrative actions, non-judicial punishment, and courts-martial can arise from training incidents, deployment-related stresses, or day-to-day military duties. The installation’s active environment often requires swift command-level decision-making under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers at Fort Hood, providing support to those facing UCMJ actions or separation proceedings within this demanding operational setting.
https://home.army.mil/cavazos/
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.
