Naval Base San Diego Command-Directed Investigation Defense Lawyers
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A Command-Directed Investigation is an administrative inquiry—not a criminal process—used to address alleged misconduct at a command such as Naval Base San Diego. Findings can still threaten a service member’s career and may escalate into reprimands, separation, or court‑martial. For guidance, contact Gonzalez & Waddington 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.
Yes. Administrative separation can occur independently of a court-martial if the command believes certain conditions are met. This process uses administrative procedures rather than the criminal justice system.
A Board of Inquiry is an administrative hearing focused on determining whether a service member should be retained. NJP is a disciplinary process for minor misconduct and does not determine separation.
The burden of proof typically rests on the government to show that separation is warranted. The standard used is generally lower than the one used in criminal proceedings.
The board is normally composed of three officers senior in rank to the service member. They review evidence, hear testimony, and make findings.
The board may review documents, witness statements, service records, and other relevant materials. Both the government and the service member may present evidence within the rules established for the proceeding.
A BOI may examine a service member’s total record when determining whether retention should continue. The outcome can influence whether the member completes the service time required for retirement eligibility.
The board evaluates the service record and the basis for separation when recommending a characterization. Factors can include performance history, conduct, and the nature of the allegations.
Service members may have a civilian attorney present in addition to any assigned military counsel. The civilian lawyer can participate in the proceeding in accordance with the rules governing BOIs.
Naval Base San Diego sits along the southeastern edge of San Diego, California, bordered by the neighborhoods of Barrio Logan and National City. Its deep-water harbor and proximity to the Pacific make it a key West Coast naval hub. The surrounding civilian communities maintain strong ties to the base through commerce, housing, and regional infrastructure.
The base occupies a geographically strategic position near major shipping lanes and international maritime routes. Southern California’s mild climate supports year-round operations, ship maintenance, and training. Its placement within a large metropolitan area ensures access to extensive civilian services and transportation networks.
The installation hosts a substantial concentration of the U.S. Navy’s surface fleet. Multiple commands responsible for operational readiness, logistics, and fleet support operate from the base. Its focus on ship deployment and sustainment anchors the Navy’s Pacific missions.
Naval Base San Diego supports surface combatants preparing for Western Pacific and global missions. The installation provides facilities for maintenance, modernization, and pre-deployment certification. It also serves as a command center for regional maritime coordination.
The active-duty population is significant, reflecting the number of homeported ships and tenant commands. Personnel include sailors assigned to deployable units, technical support roles, and shore-based leadership elements. Family members and civilian employees contribute to the overall activity level.
The base experiences continuous rotational movement as ships cycle through deployment, training, and maintenance phases. Daily operations blend administrative, logistical, and operational tasks tied to fleet readiness. Specialized units support intelligence, engineering, and command functions.
Service members at the base may encounter UCMJ actions arising from operational demands, shipboard environments, or shore-based duties. Investigations and administrative reviews are common given the tempo of fleet operations. Commanders apply military justice processes in accordance with mission requirements.
Military justice cases at Naval Base San Diego can involve non-judicial punishment, courts-martial, or separation proceedings. These matters often develop during deployment cycles or high-tempo operational periods. The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers stationed at or operating from Naval Base San Diego.
Naval Base San Diego sits along the eastern shore of San Diego Bay in Southern California, just south of downtown San Diego and north of National City and Chula Vista. The installation is embedded within a dense urban corridor, with major highways, port facilities, and civilian shipyards surrounding its perimeter. The region’s mild coastal climate, deep-water bay, and year-round maritime accessibility make it an ideal hub for sustaining a large fleet presence. The base’s proximity to the City of San Diego creates constant interaction between service members and civilian communities, from shared transportation routes to access to medical, educational, and recreational resources.
As the principal homeport of the U.S. Pacific Fleet’s surface forces, Naval Base San Diego hosts a significant concentration of Navy warships, support vessels, and operational commands. Its mission centers on maintaining, training, and deploying combat-ready forces capable of supporting Pacific and global missions. The installation supports major tenant commands focused on surface warfare, logistics, and fleet maintenance, all of which contribute to sustained maritime readiness. The base’s position on the Pacific Rim reinforces its role as a strategic gateway for operations across the Indo-Pacific region.
The base supports a large active duty population, including sailors assigned to deployable ships, shore commands, and specialized support units. Daily activity reflects the tempo of a major fleet homeport, with rotational deployments, ship maintenance cycles, technical training, and pier-side operations shaping the environment. While not an aviation base, Naval Base San Diego hosts logistics, medical, administrative, and command functions essential to keeping ships and crews mission-ready. Frequent movements of personnel and vessels link the installation to ongoing overseas commitments, particularly in the Western Pacific.
Given the operational pace and high concentration of deployable units, service members at Naval Base San Diego may encounter UCMJ matters, including command investigations, administrative actions, non-judicial punishment, courts-martial, or separation proceedings. Shipboard life, maintenance cycles, and deployment schedules can influence how legal issues arise and how commands handle them. The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers stationed at Naval Base San Diego.
https://www.cnic.navy.mil/SanDiego/
Yes, a CDI can proceed without live witnesses if sufficient documentary or digital evidence exists. Written statements are often used.
Legal advisors typically review the CDI for sufficiency and compliance before command action is taken. However, the Investigating Officer is not the service member’s lawyer.
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.
