Our Military Defense Lawyers Protect the Rights of Military Members at Naval Base Kitsap

Naval Base Kitsap, founded in 2004 by merging Naval Station Bremerton and Naval Submarine Base Bangor, is a vital U.S. Navy hub in Washington. It’s the go-to home for the Navy fleet in West Puget Sound, offering essential support for various naval operations. As one of only four nuclear shipyards and a strategic nuclear weapons facility, it’s the sole dry dock on the West Coast equipped for a Nimitz-class aircraft carrier.

At Mangan Law, our military legal expertise covers criminal investigations, administrative matters, and UCMJ actions, with a special focus on representing individuals at Naval Base Kitsap and in the Northwest WA Area. We provide expert military law representation to sailors and officers at Kitsap in Washington State. If you have any specific questions or concerns about a case, contact our nearest legal assistance office and we will be here to help. Contact our military defense attorneys for a confidential consultation with a top Naval Kitsap military defense lawyer. 

AN OVERVIEW OF OUR LEGAL SERVICES AT NAVAL BASE KITSAP IN THE NORTHWEST WA AREA TO PROVIDE MILITARY JUSTICE FOR OUR MILITARY PERSONNEL

Military Administrative Investigations

We are proud to provide proactive legal representation to sailors and naval officers in military administrative investigations at Naval Base Kitsap. These investigations can have a major impact on your career. If you are under investigative scrutiny, you need top legal assistance attorneys. We handle all types of military administrative inquiries at Naval Base Kitsap, including: 

  • Command Investigations: Initiated by military commanders, these investigations look into potential misconduct or problems within a command. The purpose is to quickly gather key facts and insights to help the commander make decisions about administrative measures and, potentially, a preliminary disciplinary issue. 
  • Special Purpose Investigations: We also have the skills and experience to take on special purpose investigations. These are inquiries that are typically focused on high-stakes and/or complex matters that involve technical issues. As an example, a financial liability investigation of property loss (FLIPL) is typically a special purpose investigation. 

Military Criminal Investigations

As a sailor or Navy officer at Naval Base Kitsap who is facing a criminal investigation, it is normal to feel stressed out and even overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation. During these trying times, it is essential that you recognize the severe impact this could have on your livelihood and even your freedom. Our Naval Base Kitsap military defense lawyer handles all types of charges and free legal assistance, including: 

  • Drunk Driving
  • Drug Violations
  • Domestic Violence
  • Theft Offenses
  • Serious Crimes (Felonies)

If you are under scrutiny from the NCIS or another military investigative agency, it is imperative that you have a top-tier attorney on your side. A seasoned advocate in your corner can make the difference. Our Naval Base Kitsap military defense lawyer will commit substantial time and resources to your case or to clients’ other criminal cases.

Military Medical Provider Representation

Are you a military health provider at Naval Base Kitsap who is facing any type of legal issues related to your professional practice of health care within the military? We are here to help. Your career could be at stake, which is why you need help from our legal team. The military medical provider regulation/disciplinary process is complex, nuanced, and highly technical. There are specialized issues that need to be considered in these legal matters. Our Washington military lawyers at our law office are prepared to represent military medical providers when legal issues arise at Naval Base Kitsap who are subject to:  

  • Clinical Adverse Action Process: The process is initiated when there are claims of misconduct or professional incompetence against military medical providers. Clinical adverse action for medical providers in the military can encompass an extensive investigative phase, review by panels of peers, and, sometimes, formal hearings. Our responsibility is to offer you comprehensive legal advice and representation throughout each phase. Our Naval Base Kitsap military defense lawyer is committed to protecting your rights as a medical professional. 

Adverse Administrative Actions

We advocate for the rights, careers, and futures of Sailors and Navy Officers stationed at Naval Base Kitsap who are facing adverse administrative actions. These actions can be career-defining—even career-ending. While nonjudicial punishment under Article 15 is one form of administrative discipline, it is far from the only one. Service members need to understand the broader range of tools the Navy can use against them outside the court-martial system.

Here are the key forms of adverse administrative action that military members at Kitsap should be aware of:

  • Administrative Separation (ADSEP) Boards: When the Navy seeks to discharge a Sailor based on misconduct, substandard performance, or other administrative grounds, an ADSEP board may be convened. These boards determine whether a service member should be retained or separated—and under what characterization (e.g., honorable, general, or other than honorable).
  • Show Cause Boards for Officers: Officers can be required to show cause for retention following allegations of misconduct or failure to meet standards. These proceedings put entire careers, retirement eligibility, and future opportunities at risk.
  • Administrative Reductions in Rank: A service member’s rank—and corresponding pay and benefits—can be stripped through administrative means without a trial. This is especially damaging for career Sailors and NCOs.
  • Letters of Reprimand (LOR) / Letters of Instruction (LOI): Even without formal punishment, written reprimands can derail a career. When a Letter of Reprimand is placed in your permanent file, it can serve as the basis for separation or block future promotion.
  • General Officer Memoranda of Reprimand (GOMOR-equivalents in the Navy): Though not always referred to in the same way, high-level reprimands from flag officers carry similar devastating consequences as they do in other branches. They are often a precursor to discharge.

While nonjudicial punishment under Article 15 (also known in the Navy as “Captain’s Mast”) allows commanding officers to address misconduct without a court-martial, the consequences are still serious. It can lead to restriction, loss of pay, reduction in rank, and lasting damage to your service record. Worse, it can trigger more severe administrative actions that follow.

If you’re facing any form of adverse administrative action at Naval Base Kitsap, don’t wait. You need a skilled, experienced military defense lawyer in your corner—someone who understands Navy procedures and has the background to protect your rights and your future. Contact Mangan Law today for a confidential, no-obligation consultation.

Court-Martial Representation

A military court-martial is an official court used by the armed forces to try individuals accused of military crimes. The process is governed by the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The court can adjudicate a wide variety of offenses—from relatively minor criminal or service-related infractions to very serious felony allegations. The sentences imposed by a court-martial can include fines, incarceration, discharge or even capital punishment in the most extreme cases. We represent sailors and officers facing all three types of court-martial at Naval Base Kitsap: 

  • General Court-Martial (GCM): The General Court-Martial stands at the pinnacle of the military justice system. It is responsible for the handling of the most serious offenses under military law—such as desertion, sexual assault, and murder. It consists of a military judge and a panel of at least five members. However, a military member who is accused can elect to have the case heard by only the judge. Penalties can be very severe—from discharge to jail to (in rare cases) death. Our Naval Base Kitsap court-martial defense lawyer can help protect prison/imprisonment. Contact us right away. 
  • Special Court-Martial (SPCM): The Special Court-Martial process exists as an intermediate-level court dealing with less severe offenses. When not a perfect comparison, the SPCM process is often used for offenses similar to that of misdemeanors in the civilian legal system. With that being said, this type of court-martial can still impose serious penalties. You need a top-tier Naval Base Kitsap defense lawyer on your side. 
  • Summary Court-Martial (SCM): The Summary Court-Martial is designed for minor infractions. There is no judge and there is no jury. A single officer is in charge to adjudicate the matter. While the potential punishment is less severe than with other types of court-martial, it is still important to protect your rights and your livelihood. 

WHY CHOOSE NAVAL BASE KITSAP MILITARY LAW ATTORNEY SEAN MANGAN?

When your reputation and career hang in the balance, your circumstances demand exceptional representation. This is your life and future—settle for nothing less. Choose Sean Mangan, an extraordinary ex-JAG military law attorney recognized as an expert in the field. With a remarkable 24-year active-duty Army career and over 30 years in law and criminal justice, Sean brings an unparalleled wealth of experience. He has navigated every facet of the military and criminal justice systems, from the streets to the courtroom, spanning local to federal courts.

Sean is not just a trial attorney; he has been on both sides, handling appeals and serving as a Military Judge and Magistrate. Beyond the courtroom, Sean’s background as a former law enforcement officer and Professor of Military Criminal Law at the ABA-Certified JAG School sets him apart. He has also contributed as a Senior Criminal Law Policy Attorney, advising leaders at the Pentagon. Sean Mangan’s expertise is truly unmatched. Our approach and our case results tell the story best. We have helped hundreds of military service members obtain favorable outcomes, including sailors stationed right here at Naval Base Kitsap. 

Naval Base Kitsap Military Defense Lawyer

Contact a Naval Base Kitsap Military Defense Attorney

Selecting Mangan Law goes beyond hiring a military defense attorney; it means acquiring a dedicated ally, an adept strategist, and a forceful advocate. If you have any specific questions, legal needs, or concerns about a case, we are here to help. Call our military defense law firm at (360) 908-2203 or contact us online for legal help in Naval Base Kitsap and the Northwest WA Area.

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Naval Base Kitsap Facts

Naval Base Kitsap
Location Kitsap Peninsula, Washington state, across Puget Sound from Seattle
Formation Year 2004
Previous Entities Naval Station Bremerton and Naval Submarine Base Bangor
Notable Units 14 submarines, Trident ballistic missile submarines, one nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, two Military Sealift Command combat logistics ships
Branches Stationed Navy
Area More than 12,000 acres including locations at Bremerton, Bangor, Indian Island, Manchester, and Keyport
Personnel 12,825 active duty military and 14,071 civilian employees
Supports Supports over 11,900 retirees
Historical Establishment Formed in 2004 by merging two previous naval bases; significant historical events include protests related to nuclear weapons
Facilities Includes Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, the largest fuel depot in the Continental U.S., and a nuclear shipyard
Name History Named for its geographical location on the Kitsap Peninsula and the merging of two prior naval bases

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