FORT CAMPBELL COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
Fort Campbell 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 Fort Campbell. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense at Fort Campbell: What You Need to Know
Courts-Martial at Fort Campbell
Three types of courts-martial can be convened for service members at Fort Campbell. 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 Fort Campbell, 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 Fort Campbell
Fort Campbell is a U.S. Army installation under U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM). The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) commander, a two-star general, serves as the General Court-Martial Convening Authority for division personnel. Subordinate brigade commanders serve as Special Court-Martial Convening Authorities for their respective units. The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, headquartered at Fort Campbell, falls under the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) chain of command for certain disciplinary matters. The 5th Special Forces Group, also based at Fort Campbell, operates under the 1st Special Forces Command (Airborne).
Cases originating at Fort Campbell are typically handled on-base. Even when proceedings are delayed, statements, evidence, and decisions made at Fort Campbell often shape the entire case. The Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) advises the General Court-Martial Convening Authority on every case and drives all legal actions for the General’s signature. In cases where a convening authority makes the ultimate decision, such as a GOMOR or administrative separation without a board, persuading the SJA of your innocence may be more important than persuading the General. A strong legal defense and argument is necessary.
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 Fort Campbell.
Board of Inquiry and Administrative Separation
Not every adverse action goes through a court-martial. The Army 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 soldiers. 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 administrative separation process can cross-examine witnesses, present evidence, and argue for your retention or an honorable discharge.
Article 15 / Non-Judicial Punishment at Fort Campbell
Article 15 proceedings, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, allow your commanding officer to impose discipline without a court-martial. At Fort Campbell, 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 Army provides defense counsel through the Trial Defense Service (TDS). At Fort Campbell, TDS attorneys serve service members across the 101st Airborne Division and its tenant commands. These attorneys are dedicated defense lawyers, 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 or deployment cycles. 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. You deserve a lawyer who has the time, focus, and experience to give your case everything it deserves.
I have defended service members at courts-martial and administrative boards at installations where air assault and special operations aviation set the standard for the world — and I know that your defense should meet a standard no lower than the one those soldiers demand of themselves. I know how the military justice system works. I know the commands, the convening authorities, and the procedures. When everything you have worked for is on the line, you need a lawyer who has the experience, independence, and fight to stand with you.
About Fort Campbell
Fort Campbell is a United States Army installation located on the Kentucky-Tennessee border, situated between Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and Clarksville, Tennessee. Although the installation’s postal address is in Kentucky, the majority of its acreage lies across the state line in Tennessee. The installation spans approximately 105,000 acres and is home to more than 30,000 active-duty soldiers and approximately 55,000 family members. Fort Campbell is widely known as the home of the Screaming Eagles — the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) — and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, the Night Stalkers. The installation is one of the Army’s premier power-projection platforms, capable of rapidly deploying forces worldwide by air assault, parachute, or airland operations.
The installation was established in 1942 as Camp Campbell, originally designed to train one armored division and various support troops during World War II. It was named after Union Army Brigadier General William Bowen Campbell, a Mexican War veteran, Medal of Honor recipient, and the last Whig Governor of Tennessee. The installation was redesignated as a permanent Army post, Fort Campbell, in 1950. The 101st Airborne Division was assigned to Fort Campbell in 1956, beginning its long association with the installation. Over the following decades, the division converted from parachute infantry to the Army’s only air assault division, developing the air assault doctrine that revolutionized helicopter-borne operations. The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment was formed at Fort Campbell in 1981 to provide dedicated aviation support to special operations forces. Fort Campbell was not affected by the 2023 Department of Defense renaming initiative, as General Campbell was a Union officer.
Today, the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) serves as the host unit, with three brigade combat teams, a combat aviation brigade, division artillery, and a sustainment brigade. The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) provides specialized aviation support to joint special operations forces. The 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) conducts unconventional warfare and special operations across the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Additional units include the 716th Military Police Battalion, the 31st Chemical Brigade, the 86th Combat Support Hospital, Blanchfield Army Community Hospital, and the U.S. Army Garrison Fort Campbell. The installation’s rapid deployment capability, its air assault training infrastructure, and its concentration of special operations forces make it one of the most tactically significant installations in the continental United States.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings at Fort Campbell fall under the 101st Airborne Division chain of command, with the 101st Airborne Division commander serving as the General Court-Martial Convening Authority and subordinate brigade commanders serving as Special Court-Martial Convening Authorities. The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and 5th Special Forces Group fall under their respective special operations command chains for certain disciplinary matters. The Army provides assigned defense counsel through the Trial Defense Service.
For defense at other installations in the CONUS area, see our CONUS Court-Martial Defense Lawyer page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cases do you handle at Fort Campbell?
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 Fort Campbell. My primary focus is court-martial defense. This includes serious offenses such as sexual assault, drug offenses, fraud, and violent crimes under the UCMJ. Cases originating at Fort Campbell may be handled on-base or deferred until transfer, but statements and evidence gathered at the base often shape the entire case.
Do you represent all branches at Fort Campbell?
Yes. Fort Campbell is a joint installation with Army, Air Force, and other service personnel assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, the 5th Special Forces Group, and other tenant commands. I represent service members from every branch facing military discipline anywhere in the world.
Why should I hire a civilian defense lawyer instead of the TDS?
The Army provides defense counsel through the Trial Defense Service (TDS). At Fort Campbell, TDS attorneys serve service members across the 101st Airborne Division and its tenant commands. These attorneys are dedicated defense lawyers, 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 or deployment cycles. 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. 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 Army. 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 Fort Campbell?
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 Fort Campbell, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to Fort Campbell?
I travel to Kentucky 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 spent years defending service members at courts-martial and administrative boards, and I am ready to step in when you need me.
Talk to a Fort Campbell Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, administrative separation, or any UCMJ action at Fort Campbell, do not wait. The prosecution is already building its case. You need a defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.