CAMP SCHWAB COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
Camp Schwab Court-Martial and UCMJ Defense
From courts-martial and Boards of Inquiry to other UCMJ defense and administrative actions, these are the cases I handle for service members at Camp Schwab. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense at Camp Schwab: What You Need to Know
Understanding how the military justice system works at Camp Schwab is the first step in protecting yourself. Knowing why a seasoned civilian defense lawyer matters is the second. This section covers both.
Courts-Martial at Camp Schwab
Three types of courts-martial can be convened at Camp Schwab. A summary court-martial handles minor offenses and can impose limited punishments, including confinement and reduction in rank. A special court-martial handles mid-level offenses and can result in confinement, forfeiture of pay, and a bad-conduct discharge. A general court-martial handles the most serious offenses. It can impose lengthy confinement, a dishonorable discharge, and other severe penalties.
If you are facing a court-martial at Camp Schwab, the prosecution has likely been building its case before you were ever charged. You need a defense lawyer who can match that preparation. You need someone with the trial experience to fight in the courtroom — not just negotiate behind closed doors.
Convening Authorities at Camp Schwab
The convening authority at Camp Schwab depends on your assignment. For Marine Corps personnel, the General Court-Martial Convening Authority is typically the Commander, Marine Corps Installations Pacific (MCIPAC) or the Commanding General, 3rd Marine Division. The 4th Marine Regiment commanding officer, who also serves as the Camp Schwab commander, can convene special and summary courts-martial for personnel under his command. Battalion commanders can convene summary courts-martial for their assigned personnel.
The convening authority decides whether to refer charges, what charges to prefer, and whether to offer you non-judicial punishment instead of a court-martial. A skilled defense lawyer can engage with the convening authority early. Before charges are referred, there may be an opportunity to advocate for your interests, present mitigating evidence, or persuade the command to take a different path.
The Office of Special Trial Counsel
Under recent military justice reforms, certain cases are now handled by the Office of Special Trial Counsel (OSTC). These include sexual assault offenses, domestic violence, and related crimes. The OSTC operates independently from the chain of command. An independent special trial counsel decides whether to refer these cases to court-martial — not your commanding officer.
This means that for certain offenses, the convening authority no longer controls whether your case goes to court-martial. Having a civilian defense lawyer who understands how the OSTC process works is critical if you are facing these types of charges at Camp Schwab.
Board of Inquiry and Administrative Separation
Not every adverse action goes through a court-martial. The Marine Corps can process you for administrative separation through a Board of Inquiry or an Administrative Separation Board. A Board of Inquiry is used for officers. An Administrative Separation Board is used for enlisted service members.
These boards can end your military career. They can also determine your discharge characterization, which affects your veterans’ benefits and future employment. You have the right to a lawyer at these proceedings. A civilian defense lawyer who understands the Marine Corps administrative separation process can cross-examine witnesses, present evidence, and argue for your retention or an honorable discharge.
Article 15 / Non-Judicial Punishment at Camp Schwab
Article 15 proceedings, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, allow your commanding officer to impose discipline without a court-martial. At Camp Schwab, your command can impose an Article 15 for minor offenses. If you accept an Article 15, you give up your right to a court-martial. In return, you limit the maximum punishment your command can impose.
You have the right to consult with a defense counsel before accepting an Article 15. You also have the right to demand a court-martial instead. A defense lawyer can help you weigh your options and can advocate for a reduction in punishment during the proceeding.
Why You Need a Civilian Defense Lawyer
The Marine Corps provides defense counsel through the Defense Services Organization (DSO). The DSO office for Okinawa is located on Camp Foster, in Building 437. DSO attorneys are dedicated defense lawyers, but they are often carrying heavy caseloads. They rotate assignments, which means your attorney may change during your case. They also work within the same military structure as the prosecutors and judges in your case.
A civilian defense lawyer brings independence. I am not part of the chain of command. I am not subject to Marine Corps reassignment. When I take your case, I am with you from start to finish — and I answer only to you.
I have been traveling to Japan for years to defend service members at courts-martial and administrative boards. I know how the military justice system works here. I know the commands, the convening authorities, and the procedures. And I have the trial experience to fight for you.
About Camp Schwab
Camp Schwab is a United States Marine Corps camp located in the Henoko district of Nago, in northeastern Okinawa, Japan. It is part of the Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler complex and operates under Marine Corps Installations Pacific (MCIPAC). The camp is named after Private First Class Albert E. Schwab, a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions during the Battle of Okinawa. The first Marine units arrived at Camp Schwab in 1959.
Camp Schwab is home to the 4th Marine Regiment, an infantry regiment of the 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force. The regimental Headquarters Company is based at Camp Schwab, along with rotating infantry battalions and Light Armored Reconnaissance companies that forward deploy to Okinawa under the Unit Deployment Program (UDP). The camp also hosts the 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, which conducts amphibious and ground reconnaissance in support of the 3rd Marine Division. The 4th Marine Regiment commanding officer also serves as the Camp Schwab camp commander.
The camp provides training facilities, ranges, and support for infantry and reconnaissance units deployed to Okinawa. Its location on Oura Bay and the northeastern coast makes it a key training installation for amphibious operations and jungle warfare. Camp Schwab supports III Marine Expeditionary Force readiness and the U.S.-Japan alliance through bilateral training exercises with Japanese forces.
Camp Schwab is one of several U.S. military installations on Okinawa, alongside Kadena Air Base, Camp Foster, MCAS Futenma, Camp Kinser, Camp Courtney, and Camp Hansen. Okinawa hosts approximately two-thirds of the 50,000 U.S. forces stationed in Japan. Service members at any of these installations who face military discipline need a defense lawyer who understands the unique legal landscape of Okinawa.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings are conducted at Camp Schwab under the authority of MCIPAC and 3rd Marine Division commanders. The Military Justice Office, Legal Services Support Section, provides prosecution and command legal services. The Defense Services Organization provides assigned defense counsel from its office on Camp Foster. If you are facing discipline at Camp Schwab, you need a defense lawyer who understands the Marine Corps justice system — and who is not afraid to fight for you.
For defense at other installations on Okinawa, see our Okinawa Court-Martial Defense Lawyer page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cases do you handle at Camp Schwab?
I handle courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, administrative separation boards, Article 15 / Non-Judicial Punishment proceedings, military investigations, and UCMJ defense for service members at Camp Schwab. My primary focus is court-martial defense. This includes serious offenses such as sexual assault, drug offenses, fraud, and violent crimes under the UCMJ.
Do you represent all branches at Camp Schwab?
Yes. Camp Schwab is a Marine Corps installation, but it supports joint training operations. Navy corpsmen assigned to Marine units, Army and Air Force personnel who use the camp’s ranges and training facilities, and other service members operate on the base. I represent Marines, sailors, soldiers, airmen, Guardians, and Coast Guard personnel facing military discipline anywhere in Japan.
Why should I hire a civilian defense lawyer instead of the DSO?
DSO attorneys are dedicated defense counsel, but they are often overloaded with cases and may rotate assignments during your case. As a civilian defense lawyer, I am not subject to reassignment. I am with you from start to finish. I bring independence from the military chain of command and years of trial experience defending service members in Japan. You deserve a lawyer who has the time, focus, and experience to give your case everything it deserves.
What is a Board of Inquiry?
A Board of Inquiry is an administrative proceeding used to separate officers from the Marine Corps. The board reviews allegations of misconduct or substandard performance. It can recommend separation with a specific discharge characterization. You have the right to a lawyer at a Board of Inquiry. A skilled civilian defense lawyer can cross-examine witnesses, present evidence, and argue for your retention or an honorable discharge.
Can you help with Article 15 at Camp Schwab?
Yes. I can review the evidence against you, advise you whether to accept the Article 15 or demand a court-martial, and advocate for a reduction in punishment during the proceeding. Article 15 punishments can include restriction, forfeiture of pay, reduction in rank, and extra duties. Having a lawyer involved early can make a significant difference in the outcome.
I’m under investigation — what should I do?
Do not make any statements to investigators, your chain of command, or anyone else about the allegations without consulting a lawyer first. You have the right to remain silent under Article 31(b) of the UCMJ. Contact a defense lawyer immediately. The earlier I get involved, the more I can do to protect you. This includes conducting an independent investigation, engaging with the command before charges are referred, and building a defense strategy from day one.
Can you help with sexual assault allegations under the UCMJ?
Yes. Sexual assault allegations under Articles 120, 120b, and 120c of the UCMJ are among the most serious charges a service member can face. These cases carry severe penalties, including lengthy confinement and sex offender registration. Under recent reforms, the Office of Special Trial Counsel now handles these cases independently from the chain of command. I have experience defending sexual assault cases in the military. I understand the unique evidentiary and procedural issues these cases involve. If you are facing a sexual assault allegation at Camp Schwab, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to Camp Schwab?
I travel to Japan regularly for courts-martial and administrative boards. When you contact me, I will work with you to establish a timeline that meets your needs. I have been traveling to Japan for years to defend service members at courts-martial and administrative boards — and I am ready to step in when you need me.
Talk to a Camp Schwab Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, administrative separation, or any UCMJ action at Camp Schwab, do not wait. The prosecution is already building its case. You need a defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.