Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune Command-Directed Investigation Defense Lawyers
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A Command-Directed Investigation is an administrative inquiry, not a criminal process, used by commanders to examine alleged misconduct at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Findings can threaten a service member’s career and may escalate into reprimands, administrative separation, or court‑martial. Gonzalez & Waddington can be reached 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.
Answer: A service member can face administrative separation without being taken to a court-martial. This process focuses on service suitability rather than criminal guilt and follows different procedural rules. It is handled through administrative channels at Camp Lejeune.
Answer: A Board of Inquiry reviews whether a Marine should be retained or separated based on alleged misconduct or performance issues. NJP is a commander’s disciplinary tool that addresses minor offenses and does not determine separation by itself. The two processes operate independently but may involve related allegations.
Answer: The board uses a preponderance of the evidence standard, which means deciding whether the allegations are more likely true than not. This is a lower standard than what is required in criminal proceedings. The board weighs all presented information against this threshold.
Answer: A Board of Inquiry typically consists of three officers senior in rank to the respondent. These officers are selected to review the evidence and determine whether separation is warranted. Their role is administrative rather than judicial.
Answer: The board reviews documents, statements, service records, and any other materials submitted by either side. It may also hear testimony from witnesses when relevant. All evidence is evaluated for relevance and reliability.
Answer: A BOI may consider a Marine’s total service and any pending retirement eligibility during its evaluation. Retirement status can be a factor in the board’s findings and recommendations. The final determination is made through the administrative process.
Answer: The board may recommend a characterization of service based on the evidence presented. Possible characterizations range from Honorable to Other Than Honorable. The recommendation becomes part of the overall separation decision.
Answer: Service members may have a civilian attorney participate in the BOI process. Civilian counsel can attend hearings and assist with presenting evidence and arguments. Their role complements any detailed military defense counsel.
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune sits along the southeastern coast of North Carolina near the city of Jacksonville. Its position along the New River and proximity to the Atlantic coastline create a distinctive mix of maritime terrain and dense pine forests. Surrounding civilian communities are closely linked to base operations through shared services and regional infrastructure.
The base’s coastal setting supports amphibious training that relies on beaches, waterways, and estuaries. This environment enables year‑round field exercises uncommon at inland installations. The combination of maritime access and varied terrain reinforces the base’s strategic importance.
Camp Lejeune is a major hub for the United States Marine Corps, hosting combat, logistics, and support units. Tenant commands integrate ground, amphibious, and expeditionary functions. The installation supports forces preparing for rapid global deployment.
The base emphasizes amphibious readiness and integrated Marine Air-Ground Task Force operations. Training ranges, coastal zones, and command facilities enable large-scale unit preparation. This mission profile shapes daily activity across the installation.
The population includes a substantial number of active-duty Marines and sailors, along with rotational units moving through for specialized training. Personnel support combat, logistics, medical, and command functions across multiple camps. High training throughput contributes to continuous operational movement.
Units engage in field exercises, amphibious operations, and pre-deployment workups. Aviation support from nearby installations integrates with ground elements at Lejeune. These activities generate a steady operational rhythm throughout the year.
Service members assigned to or transiting through the base may encounter UCMJ matters involving investigations, administrative actions, non‑judicial punishment, or courts-martial. The training tempo and deployment cycles can influence when and how such issues arise. Command structures on the installation administer these processes.
The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. Their work extends to cases connected to the base’s operational environment. This representation supports personnel facing UCMJ-related proceedings.
Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune sits along the southeastern coast of North Carolina, anchored between the city of Jacksonville and the waterways of Onslow County. Its location along the Atlantic seaboard provides direct access to deep-water ports, barrier island training areas, and a mix of coastal forests and marsh terrain that supports year‑round field exercises. The surrounding civilian communities, including Jacksonville, Sneads Ferry, and Swansboro, maintain strong social and economic ties to the installation, with many military families living and working in the region. This integration creates a shared environment where military activity shapes daily life across the county.
The base serves as one of the Marine Corps’ principal power‑projection platforms on the East Coast. It supports forces preparing for amphibious operations, crisis response missions, and joint exercises with Navy and allied partners. Camp Lejeune hosts major operational units central to expeditionary readiness, including elements of the II Marine Expeditionary Force, as well as tenant commands focused on logistics, intelligence, communications, and combat support. Its ranges, maneuver areas, and access to the Intracoastal Waterway make it a vital hub for training Marines in ship‑to‑shore movement and sustained operations ashore.
The active duty population at Camp Lejeune is substantial, with thousands of Marines, sailors, and rotational personnel supporting deployable formations. The installation manages a steady tempo of training cycles, pre‑deployment workups, and joint or multinational exercises. Aviation units at nearby Marine Corps Air Station New River, medical commands, and specialized schools contribute to an operational environment where service members regularly transition between training, garrison duties, and overseas missions.
The demanding nature of this environment also brings military justice considerations to the forefront. Service members assigned to or passing through Camp Lejeune may encounter UCMJ actions, including command investigations, administrative separation boards, non‑judicial punishment, or courts‑martial proceedings. High‑intensity training, deployment pressures, and the base’s large population can all influence how legal issues develop and are resolved. The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune who are facing these types of military justice challenges.
https://www.lejeune.marines.mil/
Yes, CDI findings are frequently used to support Letters of Reprimand or Non-Judicial Punishment. These administrative actions often rely heavily on the CDI report.
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.
