Kadena Air Base Command-Directed Investigation Defense Lawyers
Table Contents
A Command-Directed Investigation is an administrative inquiry, not a criminal case, yet it can still jeopardize a service member’s career through possible reprimands, separation actions, or escalation toward court-martial. At Kadena Air Base, Gonzalez & Waddington provide experienced guidance. Call 1-800-921-8607 for assistance.
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 is a process separate from the military justice system and can occur even when no court-martial is pursued. It focuses on service suitability rather than criminal guilt.
A Board of Inquiry is an administrative board that evaluates whether a service member should be retained. NJP is a disciplinary action imposed by a commander and does not determine continued service status. The two processes can occur independently.
The government typically must meet a preponderance of the evidence standard. This means the board evaluates whether it is more likely than not that the alleged conduct occurred. The burden is lower than in a criminal proceeding.
A BOI usually consists of three officers, with at least one senior to the respondent. The composition is designed to ensure impartial evaluation. Board members review the evidence and make findings and recommendations.
The board may review written records, witness statements, and other materials relevant to the allegations. Both the government and the respondent may offer exhibits for consideration. The board determines the weight given to each item.
A BOI may influence whether a service member remains eligible to reach a retirement milestone. Loss of continued service can affect retirement qualification. The board itself does not award or deny retirement benefits.
The board may make recommendations regarding a service member’s discharge characterization. These recommendations consider the member’s record and the circumstances of the case. Final decisions are made by the appropriate separation authority.
Service members generally may retain a civilian attorney at their own expense. A civilian lawyer can participate alongside appointed military counsel. Their involvement is subject to the board’s procedural rules.
Kadena Air Base sits on the central coast of Okinawa, surrounded by the communities of Chatan, Okinawa City, and Kadena Town. Its subtropical climate and coastal terrain influence both daily operations and year-round training conditions. The base’s proximity to dense civilian areas also shapes how military activity coexists with local life.
The base lies at a key junction in the western Pacific, close to major regional sea lanes and potential flashpoints. This positioning allows rapid movement of aircraft and personnel across Northeast and Southeast Asia. Its role in regional stability is enhanced by close integration with surrounding Okinawan communities.
Kadena is primarily an Air Force installation, hosting significant air operations under Pacific Air Forces. It supports a blend of fighter, airlift, and reconnaissance missions that extend across the Indo-Pacific. Several joint and tenant units contribute to intelligence, logistics, and operational support.
The installation emphasizes forward presence, deterrence, and rapid-response capabilities. Its air assets support both routine patrols and contingency operations throughout the region. Training and readiness activities occur continually due to its strategic mission demands.
Kadena hosts one of the largest active-duty communities in the Pacific, with thousands of service members assigned across multiple commands. Aviation operations dominate the tempo, supported by logistics, medical, and administrative elements. The population also shifts as rotational and deployed units move through.
Daily activity includes flight operations, maintenance, intelligence work, and support functions tied to regional missions. The pace is steady, reflecting both training cycles and real‑world tasking. Units routinely prepare for deployments extending across the Indo-Pacific.
Service members stationed or traveling through Kadena may encounter investigations, administrative actions, non‑judicial punishment, or courts‑martial. The operational tempo and overseas environment can influence how such matters arise. Command oversight and UCMJ procedures remain central to maintaining good order.
The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers stationed at Kadena Air Base. Their work supports personnel confronting UCMJ actions linked to the base’s demanding mission environment. Representation extends to those assigned long‑term or passing through on rotational duties.
Kadena Air Base is located in Okinawa Prefecture on the island of Okinawa, positioned between the East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean. The base sits within the municipalities of Kadena Town, Chatan, and Okinawa City, placing it close to densely populated civilian districts, coastal transportation routes, and major commercial centers. The subtropical climate, marked by humid summers and mild winters, supports year-round flying operations but can also bring seasonal typhoons that influence training and readiness schedules. Its position at the southern edge of the Japanese archipelago gives Kadena strategic visibility and rapid access across the Indo-Pacific region, making cooperation with the surrounding Okinawan communities essential for daily operations and long-term mission support.
Kadena Air Base hosts a significant U.S. Air Force presence, along with supporting units from other U.S. services and allied partners. The installation’s mission centers on airpower projection, regional deterrence, and continuous operational readiness. Fighter, airlift, and reconnaissance aircraft operate from Kadena’s extensive runway system, and the base plays a central role in maintaining stability and rapid response capability across the Western Pacific. Tenant organizations contribute to intelligence, command-and-control, and logistical functions that enable sustained operations alongside Japan’s Self-Defense Forces.
The active duty population at Kadena is substantial, supporting a wide range of aviation, maintenance, medical, administrative, and operational roles. Units conduct regular training events, multinational exercises, and rotational deployments, reflecting the base’s high operational tempo. As the largest U.S. Air Force installation in the region, Kadena supports both permanently assigned personnel and transient forces moving through for missions tied to Indo-Pacific security.
Because of Kadena’s demanding mission and constant activity, service members stationed on the installation may encounter UCMJ actions, including investigations, command-level administrative measures, non-judicial punishment, courts-martial, or separation proceedings. High-tempo flying operations, overseas deployment responsibilities, and the unique environment of an overseas assignment can all shape how military justice matters develop and are resolved. The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers at Kadena Air Base.
https://www.kadena.af.mil/
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.
A Command-Directed Investigation is ordered by a commander with appropriate authority over the service member or unit involved. The decision is often made after consultation with legal advisors.
No, a Command-Directed Investigation is administrative, not criminal, but it can lead to criminal, disciplinary, or separation action based on its findings.
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.
