Overview of Administrative Investigations

Non-criminal investigations can severely impact your military career. Depending on your rank, the consequences can be devastating.​

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Examples of Administrative Investigations

1. Inspector General (IG) Investigations: IG investigations look into very specific allegations, such as fraud, waste, and abuse, and other allegations specifically defined by regulation. For example, the Air Force is governed by Dep't of the Air Force Instruction 90-301. The Army is governed by Army Regulation 20-1. Every service is specifically governed by one.
   
   Depending on the service, the relevant inspector general partners with legal to confidentially review the allegation(s) and draft the allegations for investigation.
   
   Though possibly notified of the investigation, the subject of the investigation is generally interviewed at the end of the overall investigation, with limited due process rights. Your lawyer can usually be present for the interview, but not in the room. All the work must be done before.
   
   Depending on your rank, a substantiated allegation, or even an allegation alone, can be devastating. 
    

2. Command Directed Investigations (CDI): CDIs are initiated by commanding officers to investigate almost any investigation not covered by a specific service regulation. In fact, allegations made to IG that do not fit within the regulation requirements are forwarded to the next highest level of command for administrative investigation. 
   
   Like IG investigations, a substantiated allegation, and sometimes the allegation alone, can be devastating to career progression. 
    

3. Army Regulation (AR) 15-6 Investigations: 15-6s are the Army's version of the CDI. But, unlike the CDI, the Army's version is much more confrontational. And much more strict. 
    

4. Equal Opportunity (EO) Investigations: Officers and others (mostly in supervisory roles) often face EO allegations. These can include allegations of discrimination, harassment, toxic work environment, and other violations. 

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Possible Outcomes

1. No Action: In some cases, the investigation may determine that no wrongdoing occurred, and no further action is required.
    

2. Corrective Actions: The investigation may result in recommendations for counseling, additional training, or changes in procedures to prevent future issues.
    

3. Disciplinary Actions: If the investigation finds misconduct or policy violations, you may face administrative punishment, such as a reprimand, reduction in rank, or other consequences.
    

4. Policy Changes: The investigation may highlight the need for changes in unit or command policies to improve operations and prevent future issues.

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Experience Matters

Administrative investigations, whether substantiate or just alleged (depending on rank) can be devastating to a career. An experienced lawyer can make a substantial difference.

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For two years, I served as the principal legal advisor to every Air Force administrative investigation that occurred within the National Capital Region (DC area). After that, I served as defense counsel to these same investigations as Area Defense Counsel in the same geographic area.

 

Experience counts.