Fort Stewart Command-Directed Investigation Defense Lawyers
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A Command-Directed Investigation is an administrative inquiry ordered by a commander to examine alleged misconduct or performance issues. Though not criminal, it can seriously impact careers and may escalate to reprimands, separation, or court-martial. At Fort Stewart, Gonzalez & Waddington provides defense guidance at 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 even when no court-martial has taken place. The command may initiate separation based on alleged misconduct, performance issues, or other regulatory grounds. A court-martial is not required for these proceedings to move forward.
A Board of Inquiry is an administrative proceeding focused on determining whether retention is appropriate. NJP, on the other hand, is a disciplinary action that does not directly decide separation, although its results can influence later administrative processes.
The board applies a preponderance of the evidence standard, meaning it evaluates whether the evidence shows something is more likely than not. This is a lower burden than what is used in criminal courts.
A BOI typically consists of three commissioned officers who review the case. At least one board member generally holds a grade equal to or higher than the service member appearing before the board.
The board may consider documents, testimony, service records, and other relevant materials. Members evaluate both favorable and unfavorable evidence to determine whether separation is supported.
The board’s findings can influence whether a service member reaches retirement eligibility. The characterization and basis for separation may also play a role in determining potential retirement-related implications.
The board evaluates the service member’s overall record, performance, and the circumstances leading to the action. These factors guide whether the recommended characterization is Honorable, General, or Other Than Honorable.
A service member may choose to be represented by a civilian attorney at their own expense. Civilian counsel can participate in the proceedings alongside or instead of military counsel.
A: Fort Stewart is situated in southeast Georgia, extending across Liberty, Bryan, Long, and Tattnall counties near the city of Hinesville. Its proximity to Savannah provides strategic access to coastal transportation hubs. The surrounding pine forests and coastal plain terrain shape both regional life and military activity.
A: The installation maintains close ties with Hinesville, Richmond Hill, and other neighboring towns. Local businesses, schools, and healthcare networks regularly interact with the base population. This integration supports both regional economic stability and daily life for military families.
A: Fort Stewart is primarily an Army installation and serves as a key home for major ground combat units. Its facilities support sustained readiness for large, deployable formations. The post’s infrastructure emphasizes maneuver, logistics, and mission command capabilities.
A: The installation focuses on preparing forces for rapid deployment and full-spectrum operations. Its expansive training areas allow units to conduct armored and combined-arms exercises. This mission positions the base as a central component of regional and global Army commitments.
A: Fort Stewart hosts major combat brigades as well as aviation, sustainment, and support elements. These units enable the installation to conduct complex training and maintain operational readiness. Tenant organizations contribute additional intelligence and medical capabilities.
A: The installation supports a substantial active-duty population that fluctuates with rotational cycles and deployments. Its training tempo is influenced by brigade-level exercises and overseas mission requirements. Families and civilian employees contribute to a robust, year-round community.
A: Service members at the installation may encounter UCMJ issues arising from training demands, deployment rotations, or garrison activities. Investigations, administrative actions, non-judicial punishment, and courts-martial occur within the context of the base’s operational pace. Legal processes are shaped by the installation’s command structure and mission priorities.
A: Yes, the military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers stationed at or passing through Fort Stewart. Their work involves cases connected to the installation’s training environment and operational requirements. Representation extends across a range of UCMJ-related matters.
Fort Stewart sits in southeast Georgia, anchored just west of the coastal city of Savannah and closely connected to the surrounding communities of Hinesville, Richmond Hill, and the broader Liberty and Bryan County region. The installation’s position in the Atlantic Coastal Plain gives it expansive maneuver space, dense forests, and a humid subtropical climate that supports year-round field training. Its proximity to both the Port of Savannah and major highway corridors makes the location strategically relevant for rapid mobilization and logistical throughput. The surrounding civilian communities maintain a long-standing relationship with the installation, integrating economic, educational, and support networks that directly serve military families and mission requirements.
Fort Stewart is home to U.S. Army forces, most notably elements of the 3rd Infantry Division, whose combined-arms mission requires extensive live-fire ranges and large-scale maneuver areas found only on installations of this size. The post supports armored, infantry, aviation, and sustainment capabilities that collectively drive its role as a major power-projection platform. With training, deployment preparation, and mission command functions consolidated across the installation, Fort Stewart serves as a central hub for forces preparing for global contingency operations.
The installation hosts a substantial active duty population, including soldiers assigned to deployable brigades, aviation assets, medical activities, and various mission-support units. Frequent training cycles, gunnery rotations, and field exercises create a steady operational rhythm. Many units at Fort Stewart maintain regular overseas deployment ties, which further heighten the demand for readiness, personnel support, and coordinated services for military families.
The demanding operational environment at Fort Stewart often intersects with the realities of military justice. Service members stationed on or passing through the installation may face UCMJ issues such as command investigations, Article 15 proceedings, courts-martial, administrative separation actions, or adverse administrative measures tied to performance or conduct. High training tempo, deployment preparation, and the installation’s broad mission profile can influence how these cases develop and are resolved. The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers at Fort Stewart and understand the unique conditions that shape legal matters on this Georgia installation.
https://home.army.mil/stewart/
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.
