AR 15-6 Investigation Defense Attorney If you are the subject of an AR 15-6 investigation, my office represents officers and enlisted service members across the country during these Army administrative inquiries and the career consequences that can follow them. An AR 15-6 is the Army’s fact-finding process. It is not a court-martial and imposes no punishment by itself, but its findings can support a reprimand, a referred evaluation report, or a Show Cause Board of Inquiry. I am a retired Army Judge Advocate Colonel, and defending service members during these investigations sits squarely within my practice.A 15-6 often begins with something you cannot see, such as an anonymous complaint or a hotline tip, and what feels like a simple chance to explain yourself can quietly become the record that decides your future. If you have been notified of an investigation, or you have already given a statement and worry about how it landed, call my office at 214-363-1828 and I will tell you honestly what your options look like. What Is an AR 15-6 Investigation?An AR 15-6 investigation is the Army’s formal way of gathering facts when a commander needs to understand what happened. Most are informal, run by a single investigating officer who interviews witnesses, collects documents, and reports findings under a preponderance standard, which simply means more likely than not. Formal investigations use a board and carry more procedural protection, including notice of the allegations and the right to be represented and to present evidence. Either way, the findings are what matter, because an unfavorable 15-6 can support a GOMOR, relief for cause, or administrative separation. If you serve in the Air Force or Navy, you may face a commander-directed or JAGMAN investigation instead; the name changes, but the strategy does not. About My AR 15-6 PracticeI am William C. Meili, Attorney and Counselor at Law, COL(R), JA, USAR. I served as a Judge Advocate on active duty and in the Reserve, first as a court-martial trial counsel and prosecutor and later as a defense lawyer with the Army’s Trial Defense Service. That background matters in a 15-6, because these cases turn on how the evidence is framed and how the investigating officer and approving authority read it. Having built records as a prosecutor, I know where they tend to be weak; having defended service members, I know how to protect your rights and put your account on the record so it carries weight. If you have already been assigned Trial Defense Service counsel, keep them. I work alongside TDS, not around them, adding the time and outside perspective a busy office often cannot give an administrative case. For more on my background, see my attorney bio page or the full list of practice areas I handle. How I Help During a 15-6When I take on a 15-6, my first job is to slow things down and find out what is actually being investigated, who is driving it, and where the record is vulnerable. From there, the work usually comes down to a few things:
The most common mistake I see is a service member who is sure the truth will speak for itself, sits down alone with the investigating officer, and answers on the spot. By the time the findings are signed, the record is largely set, which is why getting advice early matters so much. Fees and Engagement OptionsEvery 15-6 is different, and the fee depends on the scope of help you need. Some clients retain me for full representation; others prefer a consulting engagement, where I am retained for a package of hours to advise on strategy and review communications while they remain the point of contact with their command. I do not publish fixed fees online, because doing so would be misleading. Call 214-363-1828 or reach me through the contact page and I will give you an honest estimate for your specific situation. Call My Office About Your 15-6The sooner I am involved, the more I can do to protect your record and your career. Contact William C. Meili, Attorney at Law by calling 214-363-1828 or Toll-Free: (866) 578-0164, to schedule a confidential consultation and discuss the best path forward. |
