Wisconsin Military Defense Lawyers – UCMJ Attorneys
Legal Guide Overview
Wisconsin Military Defense Lawyers – UCMJ Attorneys
Gonzalez & Waddington are civilian military defense lawyers providing representation to service members stationed in Wisconsin during UCMJ investigations, court-martial cases, and administrative actions. Their practice is exclusively focused on military justice, supported by worldwide defense experience, including handling investigations involving CID, NCIS, and OSI.
Watch the military defense lawyers at Gonzalez & Waddington break down how they defend service members worldwide against 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 civilian military counsel can make the difference.
Wisconsin
Gonzalez & Waddington routinely defend service members facing military justice actions that originate in Wisconsin, drawing on extensive experience with high‑stakes UCMJ litigation linked to the region. Their work includes cases involving soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines, and Coast Guard personnel assigned to or operating within Wisconsin’s joint‑service environment. The firm regularly represents clients both within the state and across global duty stations, including matters that proceed overseas while originating from Wisconsin-based investigations.
The firm’s attorneys have defended complex allegations such as Article 120 sexual assault cases and other serious offenses that lead to court‑martial proceedings. Their background includes managing Article 32 preliminary hearings, coordinating defense strategies in intricate investigative settings, and addressing evidence developed by CID, NCIS, OSI, or CGIS. These experiences align with the investigative dynamics commonly seen in Wisconsin-sourced military cases.
The team emphasizes early involvement to help service members navigate interviews, command inquiries, and pre‑charging decisions in a command‑driven justice system. They maintain trial‑level readiness for contested litigation while also addressing administrative actions that may arise alongside criminal allegations. This approach supports service members whose cases begin in Wisconsin but may evolve across multiple jurisdictions within the military justice framework.
The United States maintains a military presence in Wisconsin to support regional readiness, ensure access to training infrastructure, and strengthen the resilience of national defense activities in the Upper Midwest. Forces positioned in the state contribute to broader deterrence objectives by sustaining capable units that can integrate quickly with nationwide response networks. Wisconsin’s location also supports logistical continuity between northern states and key transportation corridors. These factors collectively justify a stable, mission-focused military footprint.
Wisconsin’s geography includes extensive inland waterways, forested regions, and varied seasonal weather patterns that shape daily operational demands. Cold winters, large temperature swings, and mixed rural-urban layouts influence how units train, move equipment, and maintain readiness cycles. Its placement within major air transit routes adds relevance for aviation and support missions. These geographic dynamics affect force posture by requiring adaptable schedules and resilient operational planning.
The state hosts a joint-service mix that commonly includes aviation units, ground maneuver elements, logistics organizations, and homeland support components. These formations engage in routine training, emergency preparedness, and interagency coordination with surrounding civilian communities. Various support activities, such as medical, cyber, and administrative functions, also operate to sustain broader mission sets. This wide array of roles reflects a balanced and integrated Defense Department presence.
The operational environment in Wisconsin means that military justice matters can surface within units that manage continuous training cycles and high administrative tempo. Commanders must rapidly evaluate incidents involving personnel while maintaining mission execution and accountability requirements. Investigations often begin quickly in order to preserve evidence and ensure clarity within the chain of command. As a result, administrative actions and preliminary inquiries can proceed early, underscoring the importance of consistent military justice readiness.
Wisconsin hosts several significant Army and Air National Guard installations, each with distinct missions, training demands, and surrounding community factors that shape common military justice issues.
Fort McCoy – U.S. Army
Fort McCoy functions primarily as a major Army Reserve and National Guard training and mobilization center, supporting rotational forces preparing for deployments and large-scale exercises. Units cycle through for field operations, convoy training, and joint-force readiness events that create a high operational tempo during peak seasons. The installation’s mission emphasizes sustainment, training support, and mobilization infrastructure rather than large permanent operational units.
The combination of transient training populations, extended field exercises, and the rural setting surrounding the post commonly produces allegations of misconduct linked to training stress, long hours, and off‑duty travel to nearby towns. Alcohol-related incidents, relationship-driven allegations, and disputes arising in temporary lodging areas often result in UCMJ investigations or administrative actions. The fluctuating population also leads to rapid investigative involvement by military investigators such as CID, NCIS, OSI, or CGIS, depending on branch, when cross-service personnel are training on site.
Truax Field Air National Guard Base – U.S. Air Force (Air National Guard)
Truax Field houses an Air National Guard fighter wing with missions centered on homeland defense alert, flight operations, and readiness training. Aircrew, maintainers, and support personnel work under recurring periods of high sortie tempo and maintenance demands. The base supports aviation operations rather than large ground-force training, with a mix of full-time and part-time Guardsmen.
The proximity to Madison’s dense nightlife and university-driven social environment frequently gives rise to allegations of misconduct linked to alcohol, interpersonal conflicts, or off‑duty incidents in civilian settings. Operational requirements, including shift work and alert duties, also contribute to stress-related orders issues or administrative concerns. Civilian law enforcement interaction is more common here than at rural installations due to the urban setting, prompting command-directed inquiries following off-base incidents.
Volk Field Air National Guard Base – U.S. Air Force (Air National Guard)
Volk Field serves as a major Air National Guard training site focused on air combat readiness exercises, ground support training, and regional emergency response integration. It hosts recurring large exercises with rotating units that rely on high-intensity training rhythms and coordination among multiple commands. The installation provides range access, simulation environments, and logistics support rather than routine daily flight operations.
The isolated rural environment combined with high-tempo training rotations often leads to allegations of misconduct connected to long duty days, temporary duty stress, and off‑duty gatherings in nearby small towns. Transient personnel lodging on base or in local motels can create conditions that trigger UCMJ investigations into relationship-related complaints, alcohol incidents, or orders violations. Command oversight during large exercises is typically swift, resulting in rapid administrative responses when issues surface.
Question: Does the UCMJ apply to service members stationed in Wisconsin?
Answer: The UCMJ applies to service members regardless of where they are stationed, including locations within the United States. Its authority extends to service members while on active duty and in various duty statuses.
Question: Who has authority over military justice matters and where are cases handled for service members in Wisconsin?
Answer: Command authority plays a central role in initiating and directing military justice actions. The location where a case is processed can depend on the service member’s assignment, command structure, and circumstances involved.
Question: How do civilian laws interact with military jurisdiction for incidents occurring in Wisconsin?
Answer: Some incidents may draw attention from both civilian law enforcement and military authorities. Each system may take action based on its own rules and interests, depending on the facts of the situation.
Question: What investigative agencies might be involved in a military investigation in Wisconsin?
Answer: Military investigations may be conducted by CID, NCIS, OSI, or CGIS depending on the branch and circumstances. These investigations can include interviews, digital evidence review, and witness statements.
Question: What role can a civilian military defense lawyer play for a service member in Wisconsin?
Answer: Civilian military defense counsel can represent service members in court-martial proceedings and administrative actions. They may work alongside appointed military defense counsel to provide additional support within the military justice system.
Gonzalez & Waddington are civilian military defense lawyers representing service members stationed in Wisconsin in matters involving UCMJ investigations, court-martial charges, Article 15 nonjudicial punishment, administrative separation, and Boards of Inquiry. The firm’s practice is exclusively focused on military justice and includes extensive experience confronting investigative actions initiated by CID, NCIS, and OSI across all branches. Their work encompasses the full spectrum of adverse military actions that can arise in the unique command-driven structure of the armed forces.
Wisconsin’s military presence, including training installations, reserve components, and units supporting regional missions, creates an environment where service members operate under continuous scrutiny both on and off duty. In this setting, high-risk allegation categories such as Article 120 sexual assault, domestic violence, fraternization, drug offenses, and other forms of misconduct can trigger rapid command involvement. Because military justice processes are command-controlled, actions can move quickly once an allegation surfaces, often affecting a service member’s rank, pay, clearance eligibility, benefits, and long-term career trajectory even before a case reaches formal adjudication.
Early legal intervention is critical, particularly before a service member provides statements or before command authorities make charging decisions that may limit defense options. A comprehensive defense strategy includes challenging unlawful, incomplete, or rushed investigations and ensuring that the record accurately reflects the facts rather than assumptions. The firm maintains a trial-ready posture for court-martial litigation while also providing representation in administrative proceedings worldwide. This information is intended to address searches for “Wisconsin military defense lawyer” and “UCMJ attorney” as informational search intent.
