Naval Air Station Fallon Command-Directed Investigation Defense Lawyers
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A Command-Directed Investigation is an administrative inquiry—not a criminal proceeding—but at Naval Air Station Fallon it can still jeopardize a service member’s career and may escalate into reprimands, separation actions, or even court-martial. Gonzalez & Waddington provide guidance for navigating CDIs. 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.
Yes. A service member at Naval Air Station Fallon may face administrative separation without a court-martial because the processes are independent. Administrative separation focuses on a member’s suitability for continued service rather than criminal guilt.
A Board of Inquiry is an administrative hearing used to determine whether separation is appropriate, while Nonjudicial Punishment is a disciplinary action imposed by a commander. NJP does not automatically require separation, but its results may be considered at a BOI.
The burden of proof at a BOI is a preponderance of the evidence. This means the board must determine whether the alleged basis for separation is more likely true than not.
A BOI typically consists of three commissioned officers, with at least one being senior to the respondent. These officers review the case, listen to evidence, and make findings based on the record presented.
The board may review service records, witness testimony, investigative reports, and any documents submitted by the member. The goal is to evaluate the circumstances surrounding the alleged misconduct or performance issues.
A BOI may address whether a member remains eligible to continue toward retirement. The findings can influence whether a member stays in service long enough to qualify for retired status.
The characterization is based on the member’s overall record of service and the circumstances leading to the separation action. Boards consider performance evaluations, conduct history, and the nature of the incident prompting the BOI.
Yes, service members may retain a civilian lawyer to represent them at a BOI. The lawyer can assist with preparing the case, presenting evidence, and participating in the hearing.
Naval Air Station Fallon sits in western Nevada, just east of the small city of Fallon and about an hour from Reno. The installation lies within the high desert basin, where open terrain and dry conditions support year-round aviation operations. Its proximity to rural communities shapes how the base and local residents share resources and infrastructure.
The broad valleys and surrounding mountain ranges create an ideal setting for complex flight and training scenarios. The region’s predictable weather patterns provide consistent operational windows for aviation units. These geographic factors allow the base to support training demands that require expansive, unrestricted airspace.
The installation is operated by the U.S. Navy and supports aviation units that specialize in advanced air-to-air and air-to-ground training. Its mission centers on preparing aircrews and supporting elements for deployment. Major tenant commands help maintain readiness across multiple carrier air wings.
The base provides integrated training environments designed to replicate operational combat scenarios. Its ranges and facilities allow coordinated exercises involving aircraft, command staffs, and support teams. This mission ensures deploying units receive cohesive, realistic preparation.
The installation hosts a steady active duty population, supplemented by rotational aviation units and carrier air wings. Personnel include pilots, aircrew, maintenance teams, and command staff. The influx of temporary training units contributes to fluctuating activity levels throughout the year.
Fallon supports advanced aviation training, logistical coordination, and command planning functions. The facility regularly conducts integrated exercises that draw units from across the fleet. Its tempo reflects the Navy’s broader deployment cycle.
Service members stationed at or rotating through the installation may encounter UCMJ processes such as investigations, administrative actions, or courts‑martial. The demanding training environment can create situations requiring formal legal review. Procedures are handled according to established military justice standards.
The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers stationed at Naval Air Station Fallon. Their work includes navigating legal matters that arise within the base’s training and operational setting. Their presence supports personnel across the installation’s diverse missions.
Naval Air Station Fallon is located in western Nevada, roughly 60 miles east of Reno, within the high desert expanse of Churchill County. The surrounding community of Fallon provides the closest civilian services, while the vast open terrain of the Lahontan Valley creates ideal conditions for aviation and weapons training. The base sits amid a landscape of sagebrush plains, mountain ranges, and dry lakebeds, an environment that supports realistic training conditions not easily replicated elsewhere in the United States. Its relative isolation allows intensive flight operations with minimal disruption to civilian airspace, yet the installation remains deeply connected to the local community through shared services, employment, and regional partnerships.
As the home of Naval Aviation Warfighting Development Center, Naval Air Station Fallon serves as the Navy’s premier air warfare training site. It hosts advanced aviation units that conduct integrated strike training, air-to-ground scenarios, and joint exercises with other U.S. services. The installation also supports visiting squadrons rotating through for high-level qualification courses. Its mission centers on preparing aviators, aircrew, and support personnel for deployment by providing a complex, realistic training environment that includes expansive ranges, electronic warfare simulations, and coordinated maneuver airspace.
The installation supports a steady population of active duty Navy personnel, along with rotating units from carrier air wings and other commands. While not as large as coastal fleet bases, its activity level remains high due to the continuous flow of aviation training programs and readiness exercises. Service members stationed or temporarily assigned here engage in flight operations, range management, maintenance, logistics, medical support, and command functions, often working in a fast-paced environment that mirrors deployed conditions.
The demanding training tempo at Naval Air Station Fallon means that service members may encounter military justice issues ranging from investigations and administrative actions to non-judicial punishment or courts-martial. High operational expectations, rotational personnel, and rigorous qualification cycles can contribute to situations requiring legal support. The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers at Naval Air Station Fallon, providing assistance with UCMJ matters, adverse administrative proceedings, and separation actions that arise during assignments or temporary duty at the installation.
https://www.cnic.navy.mil/Fallon/
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.
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.
