Naval Air Station Oceana Command-Directed Investigation Defense Lawyers
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A Command-Directed Investigation is an administrative inquiry used by commanders to assess alleged misconduct at Naval Air Station Oceana. Although not criminal, CDI findings can threaten careers and may escalate to reprimands, separation, or court-martial. Gonzalez & Waddington provide defense guidance; 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.
Administrative separation can occur without a court-martial because it is a non-judicial personnel process. It focuses on a service member’s suitability for continued service rather than criminal guilt or innocence. The procedures are separate from punitive military justice actions.
A Board of Inquiry is an administrative hearing that reviews alleged misconduct or performance issues to determine whether a service member should remain in the Navy. NJP is a disciplinary tool used by commanders to address minor offenses without a formal court-martial. The outcomes, procedures, and evidentiary standards differ between the two processes.
The burden of proof at a Board of Inquiry is typically a preponderance of the evidence, meaning the board must find that the allegations are more likely than not to have occurred. This standard is lower than that used in a court-martial. It reflects the administrative nature of the proceeding.
A Board of Inquiry is usually composed of three commissioned officers. At least one member is generally senior to the respondent, and all members are expected to evaluate the case impartially. These officers review the evidence and make findings and recommendations.
The board may consider documents, witness testimony, service records, and other relevant materials. Rules of evidence are more flexible than in a court-martial, allowing a broader range of information to be reviewed. The board determines the weight and credibility of each item presented.
A Board of Inquiry may review a service member’s entire record, including retirement-eligible status. Depending on the findings, the board’s recommendations may influence whether a member continues toward retirement. The final decision rests with the appropriate separation authority.
The board may recommend a characterization of service such as Honorable, General, or Other Than Honorable. This recommendation is based on the member’s performance and conduct as reflected in the evidence. The separation authority makes the final determination.
Service members are generally allowed to have a civilian lawyer represent them at a Board of Inquiry. The civilian attorney works alongside or in place of assigned military counsel. Representation follows the procedures established by Navy administrative regulations.
Naval Air Station Oceana sits in Virginia Beach, Virginia, within the Hampton Roads region near the Atlantic coastline. Its placement among coastal communities provides direct access to training airspace over water and coordination with nearby cities such as Norfolk and Chesapeake. The flat coastal terrain supports the base’s role as a major aviation hub.
The base is closely integrated with Virginia Beach neighborhoods that border its airfields and training corridors. Civilian-military interaction is shaped by aircraft operations that are central to the area’s identity. The region’s maritime economy and proximity to other Navy facilities reinforce its strategic significance.
The installation serves as the Navy’s primary East Coast master jet base, hosting F/A-18 strike fighter units. Tenant commands support aviation operations, maintenance, and carrier air wing readiness. Its mission focuses on sustaining naval aviation capabilities for global deployment.
NAS Oceana provides continuous training cycles that prepare aircrews for carrier integration and overseas assignments. The airfields and adjacent training ranges accommodate high-tempo flight operations. These activities maintain the fleet’s ability to respond quickly to maritime requirements.
The installation hosts a large active duty community centered on aviation units and support personnel. Rotational squadrons and carrier air wings regularly move through the base for training and pre-deployment preparation. Its workforce includes technical, logistical, and command elements essential to flight operations.
Daily activity includes flight training, maintenance cycles, and coordination with carrier strike groups. The base also supports transient aircraft and units preparing for deployment. These functions create a steady rhythm of operational movement.
Service members may encounter UCMJ matters stemming from high-tempo aviation operations and the demands of deployment preparation. Investigations, administrative actions, and courts-martial can arise from incidents on or off the installation. The base’s dynamic environment shapes how such cases unfold.
The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent service members stationed at or passing through Naval Air Station Oceana. Their work includes cases linked to the base’s aviation-centered mission and operational pace. Representation spans the full range of potential military justice proceedings.
Naval Air Station Oceana sits in the heart of Virginia Beach, Virginia, within the state’s coastal Tidewater region. Positioned only a few miles from the Atlantic shoreline and bordered by established communities such as Dam Neck, Princess Anne, and the bustling Oceanfront district, the installation is deeply woven into the area’s civilian landscape. The flat coastal terrain and humid subtropical climate create conditions well suited for year-round flight operations. Oceana’s placement within the Hampton Roads defense network—alongside Norfolk, Little Creek, and Newport News—gives it strategic value as part of one of the largest military hubs in the nation. Its proximity to dense civilian neighborhoods also shapes daily operations, community engagement, and noise-management efforts tied to naval aviation.
As the Navy’s East Coast master jet base, Naval Air Station Oceana hosts active-duty naval aviation units tasked with sustaining carrier air wing readiness. The installation supports strike fighter squadrons, training and support commands, and operational units preparing for deployment aboard Atlantic Fleet aircraft carriers. Its mission centers on maintaining combat-ready aircrews, conducting advanced tactical training, and ensuring seamless integration with the broader naval aviation enterprise. Oceana’s runways, training ranges, and maintenance infrastructure serve as critical components of the Navy’s ability to project air power globally.
The base supports a substantial population of aviators, maintainers, and operational support personnel. Daily activity reflects the demanding tempo of flight operations, maintenance cycles, and pre-deployment workups associated with carrier air wing integration. Rotational squadrons regularly cycle through periods of intensive training, overseas commitments, and stateside reset phases. Oceana also hosts administrative, medical, and logistical functions that sustain both permanent personnel and transient aircrews conducting joint or fleet exercises in the region.
The high operational tempo at Naval Air Station Oceana means service members may encounter UCMJ matters ranging from command investigations and administrative actions to non-judicial punishment and courts-martial. Aviation-focused duties, deployment preparation, and high-risk training environments can influence how legal issues emerge and how commands respond. The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers stationed at Naval Air Station Oceana, including those facing adverse actions, separations, or other military justice challenges.
https://www.cnic.navy.mil/Oceana/
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.
