Joint Base Lewis-McChord Boards of Inquiry & Administrative Separation Lawyers
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A Board of Inquiry for officers and an administrative separation board for enlisted service members serve as formal administrative hearings used across the military, including at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, to determine whether a service member should be retained in service. Officer boards are convened under separate regulatory authorities than enlisted separation boards, but both operate with a panel of senior members who review the underlying conduct, service record, and evidence to decide whether separation is warranted.
The burden of proof at these boards typically rests with the government, which must demonstrate by a preponderance of the evidence that the alleged misconduct or basis for separation occurred. The evidentiary standards are administrative rather than criminal, allowing the admission of documents, statements, and other materials that would not necessarily meet the stricter rules required in a judicial setting.
Boards of Inquiry differ from courts-martial in that they are administrative rather than criminal proceedings and do not determine guilt or impose punitive sentences. Instead, they evaluate whether a service member should remain in the military, and the rules of evidence, rights of the parties, and procedural framework are significantly less formal than those used in the military justice system.
Because these boards determine whether an officer or enlisted member continues their career or is separated, often with a specific characterization of service, they frequently represent the final and most consequential decision point in a service member’s professional trajectory. Their findings and recommendations are generally the last administrative review before a separation action is finalized.
A Board of Inquiry or administrative separation is a command review process that can end a service member’s career without a court-martial, affecting rank, retirement eligibility, and discharge characterization. At Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Gonzalez & Waddington can explain procedures and rights. For assistance, 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.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord is a large and active installation, and its size naturally results in heightened command oversight and unit visibility. With many units operating under clearly defined standards, service members often experience closer supervision, which can lead to more frequent documentation of performance or conduct concerns.
When issues are formally recorded through investigations, written reprimands, or nonjudicial punishment, they may progress into administrative separation actions. These processes are structured to evaluate a service member’s suitability for continued service, and accumulated adverse findings can trigger a review by command authorities.
Leadership risk tolerance and career management considerations also play a significant role. Command teams may initiate Boards of Inquiry or separation proceedings when they determine that doing so aligns with organizational expectations, long-term readiness, and the overall management of personnel within their formations.
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.
The Board of Inquiry or administrative separation process at Joint Base Lewis-McChord follows a structured sequence that outlines how service members are notified, how evidence is considered, and how recommendations are made. Each phase provides an opportunity for relevant information and testimony to be reviewed by appointed board members.
The process focuses on evaluating the circumstances surrounding the proposed separation, ensuring that documentation, testimony, and board deliberations follow established procedures before a final decision is made by the designated authority.
Boards at Joint Base Lewis‑McChord typically review a wide range of documentary evidence, including prior investigations, letters of reprimand, and nonjudicial punishment (NJP) records. These materials help the board understand the history and context of the alleged misconduct or performance issues, and they are often introduced to establish patterns, timelines, or the seriousness of prior incidents.
Witness testimony is also frequently presented, ranging from supervisors and unit members to subject‑matter experts familiar with the underlying events. The board pays close attention to the credibility of each witness, considering factors such as consistency with other evidence, the witness’s proximity to the events, possible bias, and the level of detail provided in their statements.
Administrative records, such as evaluation reports, training files, and personnel summaries, are weighed to assess a service member’s overall performance and conduct. These records are examined alongside other evidence to give the board a broader view of the service member’s career history, patterns of behavior, and any documented trends relevant to the board’s inquiry.
Administrative separation actions at Joint Base Lewis-McChord can result in one of several discharge characterizations, each reflecting how the service member’s performance and conduct are evaluated. An Honorable discharge indicates the member met or exceeded standards, a General (Under Honorable Conditions) discharge reflects satisfactory but imperfect service, and an Other Than Honorable discharge is the most serious form of administrative separation, usually tied to significant misconduct or performance issues.
The characterization issued can influence whether a service member remains eligible to retire. While administrative separation does not automatically eliminate the possibility of reaching retirement, the process may halt career progression, end service before the qualifying time in grade or years, or create adverse findings that affect retirement processing.
The record of separation, including the narrative reason and characterization, becomes a permanent part of a service member’s personnel file. These entries may affect post-service benefits, civilian employment opportunities, and future reviews by military or federal agencies.
Because administrative separation actions generate formal documentation, the long-term implications can extend beyond the end of service, shaping how a member’s career is interpreted by employers, veterans’ programs, and credentialing bodies.
Boards of Inquiry and administrative separation proceedings at Joint Base Lewis-McChord often stem from earlier stages of accountability, such as command-directed investigations. These preliminary inquiries gather facts about alleged misconduct or performance issues and frequently form the evidentiary basis that commanders rely on when deciding whether to initiate separation actions.
These processes may also follow other adverse administrative measures, including Letters of Reprimand, which document concerns about a service member’s conduct in writing. When such letters indicate a pattern of behavior or highlight significant misconduct, they can be used as supporting documentation during a Board of Inquiry or administrative separation board.
Boards of Inquiry and administrative separation actions are also closely connected to punitive measures such as non-judicial punishment under Article 15 and, in more serious cases, court-martial proceedings. While NJP and courts-martial impose disciplinary consequences, the results of those actions may also trigger or influence separation decisions when leadership determines that the misconduct is incompatible with continued service.
With decades of military justice experience, the firm brings a deep understanding of board-level litigation, including the procedural requirements, evidentiary standards, and strategic considerations unique to administrative separation and Board of Inquiry proceedings. This background allows the team to approach each case with a solid command of how these actions unfold inside the military system.
The attorneys are known for detailed witness examination and careful record-building, ensuring that every hearing is supported by a clear, well‑developed factual foundation. Their approach focuses on creating a thorough and accurate record for the board while safeguarding the service member’s rights throughout the process.
The firm’s work at Joint Base Lewis‑McChord also reflects its ability to integrate Board of Inquiry representation with related issues such as written reprimands, nonjudicial punishment, and pre‑board investigations. This coordinated defense strategy helps service members address the interconnected administrative actions that often accompany separation proceedings.
Yes. Administrative separation can occur independently of any court‑martial proceedings, as it is an administrative—not criminal—process. It focuses on a service member’s suitability for continued service rather than criminal guilt.
A Board of Inquiry is a formal administrative hearing that evaluates whether a service member should be retained. Nonjudicial Punishment is a command-level disciplinary tool that does not determine separation but may be referenced in later administrative actions.
The board applies a preponderance of the evidence standard. This means it considers whether the evidence shows it is more likely than not that the alleged conduct occurred.
A BOI typically consists of three commissioned officers senior in grade to the respondent. One member serves as the board president and oversees the conduct of the hearing.
The board may review documents, witness statements, testimony, and service records. It has wide discretion to consider materials relevant to the alleged misconduct or performance issues.
A BOI may examine a service member’s entire military record, including time in service relevant to retirement eligibility. Certain findings can influence whether the member continues service long enough to qualify for retirement processing.
The board can recommend a characterization of service such as Honorable, General, or Under Other Than Honorable Conditions. This characterization reflects the member’s overall performance and conduct as considered by the board.
Yes, a service member may be represented by a civilian attorney at their own expense. The civilian lawyer may present evidence, question witnesses, and participate fully in the hearing.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord sits in western Washington between Tacoma and Olympia, positioned near the southern end of Puget Sound. Its proximity to Mount Rainier and dense evergreen terrain shapes both training conditions and regional identity. The base is closely integrated with surrounding civilian communities such as Lakewood, Dupont, and Lacey.
The installation’s position on the West Coast supports rapid access to the Indo-Pacific region. Its terrain provides varied environments for year‑round exercises, including forest, wetlands, and mountain foothills. This geographic setting directly influences operational readiness and mission posture.
The base hosts both Army and Air Force components under a joint structure. Ground and air units work in tandem to support mobility, power projection, and training operations. This joint presence enhances coordination across multiple mission sets.
The base focuses on rapid deployment, sustainment, and comprehensive training support. Major tenant units conduct activities that prepare forces for combat operations, humanitarian missions, and global response tasks. The installation plays a central role in regional and international readiness efforts.
The population includes a substantial active-duty force supported by civilian employees and family members. Units cycle through intensive training schedules, aviation operations, and logistical support functions. Frequent rotational activity contributes to a dynamic base environment.
Ground maneuver training, airborne operations, and airlift missions occur throughout the year. Medical, intelligence, and command elements also maintain continuous operational rhythm. These activities support a broad range of deployable capabilities.
Service members at the base may encounter UCMJ matters such as investigations, administrative actions, non‑judicial punishment, and courts‑martial. The installation’s active operational tempo can shape how legal issues emerge and proceed. Command responsibilities and deployment demands often influence case timelines.
The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers stationed at or passing through Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Their work supports individuals confronting UCMJ proceedings connected to the base’s training and operational environment. Representation extends to various stages of military justice actions.
Administrative separation can significantly affect veterans benefits, particularly if the discharge is characterized as General or Other Than Honorable. Some benefits may be reduced or denied entirely.
Waiving a Board of Inquiry means the service member gives up the hearing and accepts separation processing based on the written record. This often limits the ability to challenge evidence or present mitigating information.
Yes, a Board of Inquiry can recommend retention instead of separation. However, the final decision rests with the separation authority.
Command recommendations carry substantial weight in Board of Inquiry proceedings. Board members often consider the command’s assessment of risk, leadership trust, and unit impact.
The length of an administrative separation process varies widely depending on complexity, witness availability, and command urgency. Some cases move quickly, while others can take many months.
