FORT WAINWRIGHT COURT-MARTIAL DEFENSE LAWYER
MILITARY JUSTICE
Fort Wainwright 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 soldiers at Fort Wainwright. Click any area below to learn more.
Court-Martial Defense at Fort Wainwright: What You Need to Know
Understanding how the military justice system works at Fort Wainwright 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 Fort Wainwright
Three types of courts-martial can be convened at Fort Wainwright. 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 Wainwright, 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 Wainwright
Fort Wainwright is an Army installation. The General Court-Martial Convening Authority is typically the Commander, 11th Airborne Division, headquartered at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Brigade commanders at Fort Wainwright can convene special and summary courts-martial for soldiers under their command.
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. Special Court-Martial Convening Authorities also have advising Judge Advocates on staff. In cases where a convening authority makes the ultimate decision, such as a GOMOR or administrative separation without a board, persuading the advising Judge Advocate of your innocence may be more important than persuading the convening authority. 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 Wainwright.
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 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 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 Wainwright
Article 15 proceedings, also known as Non-Judicial Punishment, allow your commanding officer to impose discipline without a court-martial. At Fort Wainwright, 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). TDS 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 military reassignment. When I take your case, I am with you from start to finish — and I answer only to you.
I have defended service members at courts-martial and administrative boards for years. I know how the military justice system works. I know the commands, the convening authorities, and the procedures. And I have the trial experience to fight for you.
About Fort Wainwright
Fort Wainwright is a United States Army installation in Fairbanks, Alaska. The base was originally established in 1939 as Ladd Field, a cold-weather testing station for the Army Air Corps. Congress authorized $4 million to construct the station, and the first Air Corps detachment arrived in Fairbanks in April 1940. The installation was named after Major Arthur Ladd, an Air Corps pilot killed in a crash in 1935. The original mission was to test aircraft and equipment in extreme cold, with temperatures at Fairbanks reaching minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit. During World War II, Ladd Field became a critical transfer point for the Lend-Lease Program, through which the United States delivered nearly 8,000 aircraft to the Soviet Union via the Alaska-Siberia route. After the war, the Air Force assumed control and renamed the installation Ladd Air Force Base. On January 1, 1961, the Army resumed control and renamed it Fort Wainwright in honor of General Jonathan M. Wainwright, a Medal of Honor recipient who commanded American and Filipino forces during the fall of the Philippines and spent the remainder of the war as a prisoner of the Japanese.
Fort Wainwright is managed by U.S. Army Garrison Alaska (USAG Alaska), with the 11th Airborne Division as the senior command. The installation encompasses over one million acres and is home to approximately 7,700 soldiers. The 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Air Assault), 11th Airborne Division, known as the “Arctic Wolves,” is the primary combat unit at Fort Wainwright. The brigade includes the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment; 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment; 5th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment; 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment; and the 25th Brigade Support Battalion. The Arctic Aviation Command, also based at Fort Wainwright, provides air assault, sustainment, and MEDEVAC operations with AH-64 Apache, UH-60 Black Hawk, and CH-47 Chinook aircraft. Additional units include the 17th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, the 65th Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, the Northern Warfare Training Center, and Bassett Army Community Hospital, named after Captain John Bassett, a medical officer killed during the Battle of Attu in World War II.
For military justice, courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, and administrative separation proceedings at Fort Wainwright are conducted under the authority of 11th Airborne Division commanders. The Army Trial Defense Service provides assigned defense counsel. Fort Wainwright is one of the Army’s most strategically important Arctic installations, supporting operations across the Indo-Pacific and the Arctic region. Soldiers at Fort Wainwright train in temperatures ranging from 80 degrees Fahrenheit in summer to minus 50 degrees in winter, making it one of the most demanding operating environments in the U.S. military.
For defense at other installations in Alaska, see our Alaska Court-Martial Defense Lawyer page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of cases do you handle at Fort Wainwright?
I handle courts-martial, Boards of Inquiry, administrative separation boards, Article 15 / Non-Judicial Punishment proceedings, military investigations, and UCMJ defense for soldiers at Fort Wainwright. 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 Fort Wainwright?
Yes. Fort Wainwright is an Army installation, but I represent service members from every branch facing military discipline anywhere in Alaska. Whether you are stationed at Fort Wainwright, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Eielson Air Force Base, or a Coast Guard facility, I can help.
Why should I hire a civilian defense lawyer instead of the TDS?
The Army provides defense counsel through the Trial Defense Service (TDS). TDS 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. 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 Wainwright?
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 Wainwright, you need a defense lawyer who knows how to fight these specific charges.
How quickly can you get to Fort Wainwright?
I travel to Alaska 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 defended service members at courts-martial and administrative boards for years — and I am ready to step in when you need me.
Talk to a Fort Wainwright Military Defense Lawyer Now
If you are facing a court-martial, Board of Inquiry, administrative separation, or any UCMJ action at Fort Wainwright, do not wait. The prosecution is already building its case. You need a defense lawyer who is ready to fight for you.