Fort Lewis Command-Directed Investigation Defense Lawyers
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A Command-Directed Investigation is an administrative inquiry, not a criminal process, yet it can still jeopardize a service member’s career at Fort Lewis. CDI 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.
Answer: Administrative separation can occur without any court-martial proceedings because it is a nonjudicial process. It focuses on a service member’s suitability for continued service rather than criminal guilt. The procedures follow regulatory guidelines rather than criminal rules.
Answer: A Board of Inquiry is a formal administrative process used to determine whether separation is warranted. NJP is a disciplinary mechanism used by commanders for addressing minor misconduct. The two processes operate under different authorities and serve distinct purposes.
Answer: The burden of proof at a Board of Inquiry is typically a preponderance of the evidence. This standard requires showing that the facts are more likely than not to be true. It is lower than the standard used in criminal trials.
Answer: A Board of Inquiry is generally composed of three commissioned officers. One officer acts as the board president, and all members review the evidence presented. Their role is to evaluate the case and make findings based on regulations.
Answer: The board may review documents, witness statements, personnel records, and other relevant materials. The presiding officer determines what evidence is admissible under the applicable administrative rules. Both the government and the service member may present information.
Answer: An administrative separation may influence whether a service member reaches the required service time for retirement eligibility. The board’s findings can also affect the characterization that appears on a final discharge. These outcomes are governed by military regulations.
Answer: The board may recommend a characterization such as Honorable, General, or Other Than Honorable. This characterization reflects the service member’s overall performance and conduct. The final decision is made by the appropriate separation authority.
Answer: Service members may choose to have a civilian attorney represent them in addition to any assigned military counsel. The civilian attorney can participate in presenting evidence and questioning witnesses. Their involvement must follow the procedural rules of the board.
Fort Lewis sits in western Washington, south of Tacoma and adjacent to the cities of Lakewood and DuPont. The installation occupies a key position along the Puget Sound corridor, framed by dense forests and the Cascade foothills. Its placement supports access to major transportation routes and joint regional infrastructure.
The installation shares close economic and social ties with Pierce and Thurston County communities. Local municipalities support the base through housing, services, and civilian employment. This integration strengthens regional readiness and reinforces long-standing military‑community connections.
The proximity to deep-water ports, airlift hubs, and trans-Pacific routes enhances the base’s strategic relevance. Units can rapidly mobilize across the Indo-Pacific theater due to established transportation networks. The climate, with wet winters and moderate summers, also supports year-round training.
Fort Lewis hosts major Army operational units focused on expeditionary readiness and rapid deployment. Tenant organizations support command, logistical, medical, and sustainment functions essential to regional operations. The installation plays a central role in joint-force cooperation across the Pacific Northwest.
The mission centers on preparing combat-ready forces capable of responding to global contingencies. Training areas and maneuver ranges facilitate large-scale exercises that align with the base’s operational focus. This mission profile drives a steady rhythm of readiness activities.
The base hosts a substantial active-duty population, supported by families, civilians, and rotational personnel. Units include deployable formations, aviation elements, and support commands. The presence of medical and logistical assets adds to the daily operational activity.
Fort Lewis maintains a high operational tempo with recurring field exercises and overseas rotations. Units cycle through training ranges designed for combined-arms operations. This consistent activity reflects the installation’s global deployment responsibilities.
Service members stationed at or transiting through Fort Lewis may encounter UCMJ issues involving investigations, administrative actions, non-judicial punishment, or courts-martial. The base’s demanding training environment and rapid-deployment mission can shape when and how such matters arise. The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers at Fort Lewis.
Fort Lewis, located in western Washington, sits just south of Tacoma and forms the land-based portion of Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Set against the backdrop of the Puget Sound region, the installation is bordered by communities such as Lakewood, DuPont, and Lacey, with Mount Rainier dominating the eastern horizon. The area’s dense forests, rolling plains, and persistent Pacific Northwest weather shape both training and daily life for service members. Strategically, the post’s proximity to major West Coast ports, interstate transportation corridors, and regional aviation hubs supports rapid mobility for operational commitments across the Indo‑Pacific. Fort Lewis maintains deep ties with surrounding civilian communities, which depend on the installation for economic activity while providing essential services, housing, and support for military families.
Fort Lewis is home primarily to U.S. Army forces and serves as a major power‑projection platform for operations throughout the Pacific and beyond. The installation hosts key maneuver units, support brigades, and command elements that oversee readiness and deployment functions. Training areas extend across thousands of acres, enabling large‑scale field exercises, live‑fire operations, and mission‑specific rehearsals. The post’s mission centers on preparing forces for rapid deployment, sustaining high operational readiness, and integrating joint and combined capabilities with regional partners.
The active‑duty population at Fort Lewis is substantial, supporting deployable brigade combat teams, aviation elements, logistics assets, medical units, and command headquarters. The installation experiences continuous movement as units rotate through training cycles or prepare for overseas assignments. Frequent field exercises, combined arms events, and joint training with allied forces contribute to a steady operational tempo that shapes daily routines for Soldiers and their families.
The demanding training environment and rapid deployment schedule at Fort Lewis mean that service members may encounter a range of military justice issues. Investigations, administrative actions, non‑judicial punishment, courts‑martial, and separation proceedings are all part of the UCMJ landscape on a major operational post. The pace and pressure of readiness tasks can influence how incidents occur and how commands respond. The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers at Fort Lewis, providing support to those facing legal or administrative challenges within this high‑tempo setting.
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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.
