Which party has the authority to initiate a 15-6 investigation, appoint the investigating officer, and review the final report?

Which party has the authority to initiate a 15-6 investigation, appoint the investigating officer, and review the final report?

• A. The Investigating Officer
• B. The Commander
• C. The Defense Counsel
• D. The Judge Advocate General

Answer: (B)

In a 15-6 investigation, the person in command over the unit has the authority to start the inquiry, designate who will conduct it, and review the final findings. The commander initiates the investigation, appoints the investigating officer to gather facts and prepare the report, and then reviews the completed report to ensure it’s thorough and properly supported before it’s forwarded to the next authority. The investigating officer handles the actual inquiry, but does not initiate or approve the final report. The defense counsel represents the accused in related proceedings, not the initiator or reviewer of the investigation. The Judge Advocate General provides legal guidance, but does not serve as the immediate appointing authority for a specific 15-6 investigation.

In a 15-6 investigation, the person in command over the unit has the authority to start the inquiry, designate who will conduct it, and review the final findings. The commander initiates the investigation, appoints the investigating officer to gather facts and prepare the report, and then reviews the completed report to ensure it’s thorough and properly supported before it’s forwarded to the next authority. The investigating officer handles the actual inquiry, but does not initiate or approve the final report. The defense counsel represents the accused in related proceedings, not the initiator or reviewer of the investigation. The Judge Advocate General provides legal guidance, but does not serve as the immediate appointing authority for a specific 15-6 investigation.