Panama City Military Defense Lawyers – Court-Martial & Administrative Separation Attorneys

Elite Legal Defense for Service Members in Panama City, Florida

Panama City, Florida is one of the most important military regions on the Gulf Coast. Home to NSA Panama City, the Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center (NDSTC), the Navy Experimental Diving Unit (NEDU), and multiple EOD and maritime operations schools, the city attracts Sailors, divers, EOD candidates, engineers, and instructors from across the Navy. With elite training pipelines, high-risk environments, and sensitive missions, even minor allegations can escalate into major legal action.

Gonzalez & Waddington, Attorneys at Law is the leading civilian military defense firm for service members living and working in Panama City. Led by former JAG attorney Michael Waddington and elite trial strategist Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington, our firm provides aggressive representation in UCMJ cases, administrative separations, BOIs, NJP defense, and CGIS/NCIS investigations. When your military career, diving credentials, or clearance is at risk, you need the best defense team available.

Why Panama City Service Members Face Unique Legal Risks

Panama City hosts some of the Navy’s toughest and most demanding training programs. Commands here operate under strict safety, discipline, and professionalism standards. One accusation—whether on-base, off-duty, or during training—can derail a career immediately.

CGIS/NCIS investigations begin immediately and often without notifying the accused
Dive school failures frequently lead to administrative separation boards
Alcohol incidents in Panama City Beach escalate quickly with local police involvement
Domestic allegations trigger instant command intervention
Sexual misconduct claims often proceed with limited or contradictory evidence
Safety-related allegations at NDSTC or NEDU cause immediate command response
EOD candidates face harsher disciplinary scrutiny than most Navy personnel

Military Installations & Units in the Panama City Region

Panama City is home to major training and operational commands, including:

NSA Panama City – Diving, maritime, and advanced training operations
NDSTC – Largest diving training center in the world
NEDU – Navy’s premier dive medicine & equipment research command
EOD school training detachments
Littoral, maritime, and special operations support units

These commands operate under extreme precision and expect flawless conduct. Allegations—no matter how small—can be career-ending.

UCMJ Offenses We Defend in Panama City

We represent service members across Panama City facing all types of UCMJ charges, including:

Article 120 – Sexual assault, indecent conduct, abusive contact
Article 128b – Domestic violence or physical altercations
Article 92 – Orders violations, training rule breaches, safety violations
Article 112a – Drug use, possession, or distribution
Article 107 – False official statement
Article 86 – AWOL or missed formations
Article 134 – Fraternization, adultery, disorderly conduct
Dive school misconduct – cheating accusations, instructor conflict, safety violations

Administrative Separations & BOIs in Panama City

Because of the intense nature of diving and EOD training, commands in Panama City rely heavily on administrative separations. These boards are extremely dangerous and often based on incomplete evidence.

Enlisted Administrative Separation Boards
Officer Boards of Inquiry (BOI)
Show Cause Boards
Pipeline removals and appeals for NDSTC/EOD candidates
LOA / LOR / Page 13 rebuttals
Security clearance actions

For official Navy updates regarding regional units, visit:
United States Navy (.mil)

How Gonzalez & Waddington Defends Panama City Service Members

We use a fully customized, aggressive, and evidence-driven defense strategy built for high-risk commands like NDSTC, NEDU, and EOD training detachments.

Thorough review of NCIS/CGIS investigative files
Expose inconsistencies and unreliable witness statements
Analyze digital evidence (texts, GPS, social media, phone logs)
Gather missed or ignored exculpatory evidence
Secure expert witnesses (forensics, dive medicine, psychology)
Develop strong retention and mitigation packages
Prepare clients for interviews, testimony, and cross-examination

Why Service Members in Panama City Choose Our Firm

Michael Waddington – Former JAG & globally recognized military trial lawyer
Alexandra Gonzalez-Waddington – Courtroom strategist and cross-examination specialist
Extensive experience defending Navy divers, EOD candidates & instructors
Known nationwide for dismantling weak military investigations
Authors of best-selling trial advocacy and cross-examination books
We take limited cases, providing maximum firepower to each client

Pensacola Military Defense Resources

Cities in Florida Our Military Defense Lawyers Serve

Pro Tips for Panama City Service Members Under Investigation

Do NOT speak to CGIS or NCIS without a lawyer.
Save all evidence—texts, screenshots, social media logs.
Avoid discussing the case with shipmates or classmates.
Do NOT confront your accuser—it will be used against you.
Write down a timeline while events are fresh.
Get legal representation early—timing determines outcomes.

Your Military Career in Panama City Is at Serious Risk — Act Immediately

If you’re stationed or training at NSA Panama City, NDSTC, NEDU, or any associated unit, and you’re facing UCMJ charges, administrative separation, a BOI, NJP, or a military investigation, the time to act is now. The command is already building its case—you need elite civilian defense immediately.

Florida Military Bases We Serve

How We Defend Florida Service Members