Fort Walton Beach Military Defense Lawyers – Court-Martial & Administrative Separation Attorneys

High-Stakes Military Defense for Service Members in Fort Walton Beach, Florida

Fort Walton Beach, Florida sits at the center of one of the most important military corridors in the United States. Just minutes from Eglin Air Force Base and Hurlburt Field, the city is home to thousands of active-duty Airmen, special operators, support personnel, retirees, and military families. With Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), weapons development programs, and global mission sets operating in the area, service members living in and around Fort Walton Beach face intense command scrutiny and rapidly escalating legal exposure when accusations arise.

Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law represents service members stationed at Eglin AFB, Hurlburt Field, and surrounding units who live in Fort Walton Beach and the Emerald Coast. Led by former JAG attorney Michael Waddington and aggressive courtroom advocate Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington, our firm is known nationwide for defending Airmen, operators, and joint-service personnel in complex UCMJ cases, administrative separations, and courts-martial.

Why Fort Walton Beach Is a Legal Hot Zone for Service Members

Fort Walton Beach has the unique combination of a heavy military presence, tourism, nightlife, and rapid operational tempo. This makes it a high-risk environment for service members when it comes to allegations and investigations.

Close proximity to Eglin AFB and Hurlburt Field means OSI and Security Forces are active and aggressive.
Tourist-heavy areas like Okaloosa Island, Destin, and local bars create more liberty incidents.
Domestic disputes in off-base housing often involve local law enforcement and immediate military notification.
Alcohol-related issues (DUIs, fights, disturbances) quickly cross over from civilian to military discipline.
Special operations culture in nearby units brings a “zero-defect” mentality to discipline.
Even minor allegations can trigger investigations, NJP, or administrative separation actions.

Military Communities Around Fort Walton Beach

Service members in Fort Walton Beach typically belong to units at:

Eglin Air Force Base – weapons development, test wings, engineering units, and support squadrons
Hurlburt Field – headquarters of Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC)
Duke Field – reserve and special operations support
Army, Navy, Marine, and Guard detachments supporting regional operations

For official information on Eglin AFB and surrounding units, see:
https://www.eglin.af.mil

Common UCMJ Allegations Faced by Fort Walton Beach Service Members

Our firm defends a wide range of UCMJ offenses commonly charged against Airmen and joint-service personnel in the Fort Walton Beach area:

Article 120 – Sexual assault, abusive sexual contact, indecent exposure
Article 128b – Domestic violence and assault charges
Article 112a – Drug use, possession, distribution (often tied to off-base activity)
Article 92 – Failure to obey lawful orders, curfew violations, fraternization
Article 107 – False official statements to OSI, Security Forces, or command
Article 86 – AWOL, failure to report, missed duty
Article 134 – Adultery, fraternization, indecent conduct, disorderly conduct
Alleged misconduct tied to special operations, training, or deployment

Cities in Florida Our Military Defense Lawyers Serve

Administrative Separations & BOIs in the Fort Walton Beach Area

Commands at Eglin and Hurlburt often rely on administrative separations to remove service members quickly—especially in cases involving special operations, classified work, or “loss of trust and confidence.” These boards are just as dangerous as a court-martial in terms of long-term impact.

Enlisted Administrative Discharge Boards
Officer Boards of Inquiry (BOI)
Show Cause Boards for officers flagged for elimination
Security clearance suspension and revocation actions
LOD / misconduct findings affecting medical and retirement benefits
Article 15 (NJP) responses and appeals

Life in Fort Walton Beach & Military Legal Exposure

Fort Walton Beach combines a small coastal city feel with active tourism and nightlife—all of which increases the risk for misunderstandings and incidents that can spiral into military action.

Bars, clubs, and beach areas create high-risk liberty environments
Mixed crowds (locals, tourists, military) heighten the chance of conflict or false allegations
Local law enforcement works closely with base authorities
Social media, texting, and dating apps often become central evidence in cases

To learn more about the local community and city resources, visit the City of Fort Walton Beach official website:
https://www.fwb.org

How Gonzalez & Waddington Builds Your Defense in Fort Walton Beach

We understand the unique pressures facing Airmen and joint-service personnel living in Fort Walton Beach. Our defense strategy is tailored to the culture of Eglin, Hurlburt, and the broader Emerald Coast military community.

Exhaustive review of OSI / investigative files
Challenge coerced statements, improper questioning, and rights violations
Analyze digital evidence (text messages, social media, location data)
Interview witnesses the command ignored or minimized
Retain expert witnesses as needed for forensics, trauma, intoxication, or psychology
Build compelling mitigation packages based on deployments, performance, and character
Prepare clients for high-stress interrogations, boards, and trial testimony

Why Fort Walton Beach Service Members Choose Gonzalez & Waddington

Michael Waddington – former JAG, nationally recognized military trial lawyer
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington – elite cross-examiner and trial strategist
Decades of experience defending Airmen and special operators in the Florida Panhandle
Known for taking on tough, high-profile military cases
Authors of best-selling books on cross-examination and military defense
We limit our caseload to provide maximum firepower to every client

Pro Tips for Fort Walton Beach Service Members Under Investigation

Do NOT speak to OSI or Security Forces without a lawyer.
Preserve all evidence—texts, screenshots, call logs, and emails.
Avoid discussing your case with coworkers, roommates, or leadership.
Do not confront your accuser—that will be used against you.
Write down a detailed timeline while events are fresh in your mind.
Contact an experienced civilian military defense lawyer early—timing often decides the outcome.

Your Military Career on the Emerald Coast Is at Risk — Take Action Now

If you live in Fort Walton Beach and are under military investigation, facing NJP, administrative separation, a BOI, or court-martial, you cannot afford to wait. Commands at Eglin and Hurlburt are already building their case. You need an experienced, aggressive civilian military defense team now.

Florida Military Bases We Serve

How We Defend Florida Service Members