Justin! As I logged into JO I was sending out my first appointment letter to one of my 2LTs. Talk about coincidence!

Resources. Your main resource will be your legal representative/JAG. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about procedures, processes, etc. Another great resource are other officers who’ve done this before. Things like here (JO), MilBook (www.milsuite.mil), and even Google can be great resources if you know what you’re looking for. Milbook has some excellent guides and templates that will assist you with almost anything.

Forms (www.apd.army.mil). These may differ depending on the type of investigation, and there may be more you need to find, but here are 5 that I deal with routinely;

-DA 2823, Sworn Statement – this is typically the meat and potatoes of any investigation.

-DA 1574, Report of Proceedings by Investigating Officer – this is where you put your findings, even if you make your report of investigation in a memo format.

-DA 3881, Rights Warning Procedure/Waiver Certificate – this will keep you (as an IO) out of trouble and ensure everything you collect can be used. BLUF: Advise a Soldier of their rights the INSTANT that you suspect that they did something, if you don’t you have to stop your interview.

-DD 200, Financial Liability Investigation of Property Loss (FLIPL) – this is basically the appointment memo if you are selected as an IO for a FLIPL.

-DD 261, Report of Investigation Line of Duty and Misconduct Status – this is the form used when conducting LOD (Line of Duty investigations).;

As far as regulations, go with the basics.  Army Regulation (AR) 15–6, Procedures for Administrative Investigations and Boards of Officers; AR 600-20, Army Command Policy; Manual for Courts-Martial (MCM); AR 600-8-4, Line of Duty Investigation; AR 755-5, Property Accountability; DA PAM 735-5, Property Accountability Procedures and Financial Liability Officers Guide; just to name a couple. Also, you can’t forget local unit policies/policy letters; federal, state and local laws; and everything else you may have to look into.

For me, every time I’m appointed as an IO, it’s an excellent experience that I use to learn and grow from. Depending on the size of your element, being assigned as an IO might happen once, or it might happen quarterly. With that said, I’m attaching some tools, templates and examples of investigations I’ve done to hopefully help out. For the new IO, I would recommend then making a plan. Anytime I was assigned as an IO, it basically went like this;

1) Assigned as IO and received appointment memo; immediately begin timeline (using a template I’ve used in the past) and seek JAG assistance (if needed).

2) Determined what issues, regulations, policies, processes, UCMJ articles, etc., are applicable.

3) Determine who I need to speak to (besides any principals); witnesses, J6, chain of command, directorates, etc.

4) Determine what questions need to be asked, to who, based on the situation, scope, and specifics of the case.

5) Coordinate times to conduct interviews; recommend always interviewing the principals last. Be sure to coordinate times to re-interview anyone based on questions raised during the initial interviews. 2823s are either taken, then and there or are transcribed later; but they are done for every person (even if I have to do one myself).

6) Analyze the evidence, compile information, and determine your findings. Once complete submit for review. Done…

 

I hope this helps!

Brock