Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay Command-Directed Investigation Defense Lawyers
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A Command-Directed Investigation is an administrative inquiry initiated by command leadership at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay to assess alleged misconduct. Although non-criminal, it can significantly impact a service member’s career and may escalate into reprimands, separation actions, or court-martial. Gonzalez & Waddington provide guidance 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.
Administrative separation can occur without a court-martial because it is a non‑judicial, command‑driven process. It focuses on whether a service member meets retention standards rather than criminal guilt. This process is separate from punitive proceedings under the UCMJ.
A Board of Inquiry is an administrative fact‑finding hearing used to determine whether a service member should be retained. Nonjudicial punishment is a disciplinary tool for minor offenses and does not involve a board of officers. NJP does not itself decide separation, though it may be used as evidence in later administrative actions.
The burden of proof at a Board of Inquiry is typically a preponderance of the evidence. This means the board evaluates whether the alleged conduct is more likely than not to have occurred. It is a lower standard than that used in courts‑martial.
A Board of Inquiry is usually composed of three commissioned officers. They are selected by the convening authority and must be senior to the respondent when possible. One board member is designated as the president to guide the proceedings.
The board may review documents, witness testimony, service records, and any materials relevant to the allegations. Rules of evidence are more flexible than in a court‑martial. The goal is to provide a complete picture of the service member’s performance and conduct.
A Board of Inquiry may consider a service member’s total record, including time in service, when evaluating retention. An administrative separation before qualifying service is met can impact retirement eligibility. The board’s findings become part of the official record used by the Navy.
Administrative separation can result in an Honorable, General (Under Honorable Conditions), or Other Than Honorable characterization. The characterization is based on the service member’s overall performance and the circumstances leading to separation. It becomes part of the permanent military record.
A service member may be represented by a civilian attorney at a Board of Inquiry. The civilian counsel works alongside assigned military counsel if both are present. Their participation follows the board’s procedural rules and installation access requirements.
Q1: Where is Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay located?
Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay sits in southeast Georgia near the Florida border, positioned along the Intracoastal Waterway. It is adjacent to St. Marys and within commuting distance of Jacksonville. The coastal marshlands and mild climate shape both daily operations and community interaction.
Q2: How does the base interact with nearby civilian communities?
The installation is closely tied to St. Marys and Camden County, where many military families live, work, and attend school. Local businesses and services frequently support rotational submarine crews and shore-based personnel. This relationship creates a steady exchange between the base and the region’s maritime-oriented economy.
Q3: What military presence defines Kings Bay?
The base is a major operational hub for the U.S. Navy’s Atlantic Fleet ballistic missile submarine force. It hosts critical support commands responsible for maintaining the readiness of Ohio-class submarines. Its mission centers on strategic deterrence and sustaining the fleet’s continuous at-sea posture.
Q4: What types of units or tenant commands operate there?
Kings Bay includes commands dedicated to submarine maintenance, training, and security. Activities range from crew certification to strategic weapons support. These units ensure the region remains integral to the Navy’s long-range deterrence capabilities.
Q5: What is the scale of the service member population?
The population includes submarine crews, shore support personnel, and rotational units preparing for or returning from deployments. Activity levels rise with maintenance cycles, refits, and crew turnovers. The operational focus results in a steady, mission-driven tempo.
Q6: Does the base support training or deployable missions?
Yes, Kings Bay provides training for submarine crews and directly supports deployable strategic assets. Its facilities allow crews to conduct simulations, evaluations, and mission preparation. Deployment schedules influence daily rhythms across the installation.
Q7: How is the UCMJ relevant at Kings Bay?
Service members here may encounter investigations, administrative actions, or courts-martial tied to operational duties or deployment demands. High-security missions can lead to scrutiny related to conduct, readiness, or clearance issues. The base’s mission profile shapes how legal matters are processed.
Q8: Who represents service members facing legal issues?
The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers stationed at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay. Their work includes handling UCMJ-related matters that arise within the base’s strategic environment. Representation extends to those permanently assigned or temporarily rotating through the installation.
Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay is located in southeast Georgia, adjacent to the waterfront community of St. Marys and just north of the Florida state line. Positioned along the Intracoastal Waterway and surrounded by the coastal marshlands characteristic of the region, the base operates in a humid subtropical climate with mild winters and hot, humid summers. Its proximity to Jacksonville, a major naval hub less than an hour away, creates a corridor of maritime military activity. The surrounding civilian communities, including Kingsland and Camden County, maintain a close relationship with the installation, offering housing, schools, and services that support military families and integrate daily life between the base and the region.
Kings Bay serves as one of the United States’ two East Coast homeports for the Navy’s fleet of Ohio-class ballistic missile submarines. The installation supports both ballistic missile and guided-missile submarine operations and provides strategic infrastructure for the Atlantic-based leg of the nation’s nuclear triad. Several key commands operate on the installation, including those responsible for submarine maintenance, weapons handling, security, and strategic deterrence support. The base’s mission centers on sustaining continuous at-sea deterrent patrols and ensuring the readiness of deployed submarine crews.
The active duty population at Kings Bay includes submarine crews, support personnel, technical specialists, and rotational units preparing for or returning from extended patrols. While the base does not host large-scale trainee populations, it maintains a steady operational rhythm connected to submarine certification, logistics coordination, and pre-deployment preparation. The presence of specialized maintenance facilities and secure weapons areas contributes to consistent activity throughout the year, with crews cycling through training, refit, and deployment phases.
Because of its strategic mission and the demanding schedule of submarine operations, service members at Kings Bay may encounter UCMJ-related issues ranging from command investigations and administrative actions to non-judicial punishment or courts-martial. High-tempo deployment cycles, stringent security requirements, and the specialized nature of submarine work all influence how legal matters arise and are resolved on the installation. The military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington represent servicemembers stationed at Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay.
https://www.cnic.navy.mil/KingsBay/
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.
Yes, CDI results can be used to initiate administrative separation or a Board of Inquiry, even if no criminal charges are filed.
