Military command investigations—AR 15-6 probes, commander’s inquiries, and command-directed reviews—are triggered by more than minor issues. Allegations of sexual harassment, fraternization, adultery, toxic leadership, EO complaints, fraud, waste and abuse, travel card misuse, security violations, and social media misconduct can start an investigation. Gonzalez & Waddington warns these can escalate to GOMORs, Article 15s, or courts-martial. Call 1-800-921-8607. Educational, not legal advice.
Quick answers
Can an EO or toxic leadership complaint start a command investigation?
Yes. EO complaints, toxic leadership allegations, and command climate follow-ups commonly trigger AR 15-6 investigations or commander’s inquiries and can lead to reprimands or separation action.
Can travel card abuse or social media posts become more than an inquiry?
Yes. Fraud, waste, resource misuse, security violations, and social media misconduct often start as command investigations and can escalate to GOMORs, Article 15s, or courts-martial.
Watch on YouTube. Questions about a case: call 1-800-921-8607 or text 954-799-4019.
Educational information only. Not legal advice. Using this briefing does not create an attorney-client relationship. Facts, commands, and outcomes vary. For advice about your case, speak with a lawyer.
Video transcript
Transcript of the video “What Misconduct Triggers Military Command Investigations?,” with Michael Waddington of Gonzalez & Waddington.
Read the full transcript of this video
I’ve seen command investigations involving all sorts of misconduct: sexual harassment that borders on, and turns into, sexual assault allegations; serious fraternization allegations; improper relationships; adultery; toxic leadership complaints; and misuse of government resources, which can easily turn into a court-martial for fraud, waste, and abuse, larceny, or misappropriation of funds. All those things can start out small and turn into something big. I’ve seen travel card abuse investigations start small and turn big. Financial misconduct. Government vehicle misuse. Even something small, like a vehicle accident in a foreign country, could end up getting you an Article 15, a separation board, or a letter of reprimand, depending on what happens. We’re going to get to that later.
But let me continue with some of the things I see start small and get big: security violation questions; social media misconduct, which can easily turn into something much more serious; any type of officer or senior enlisted misconduct; and EO complaints. That’s a big one I’m seeing now. We see EO complaints, or allegations of sexism, racism, you name it, start off as something small and command-driven, and in some cases turn into a court-martial or an administrative separation board. Also, if you’re being investigated for a relief for cause, or even simply a command climate survey follow-up, or abuse of authority allegations, or any other type of workplace misconduct.
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