If you’re a member of the US Navy, you’re probably familiar with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service or NCIS. In a nutshell, this civilian law enforcement agency is tasked with investigating felony crime, preventing terrorism, and protective service operations for the Navy and Marine Corps.
With over two thousand members, a thousand of whom serve as civilian Special Agents, the NCIS is a unique entity within the Navy and Marine Corps because it comprises civilian personnel.
All Navy and Marine Corps members are aware of the relevance of the NCIS agents. However, does this agency have an equivalent in other military branches, notably the Army? This article will discuss how felony crimes are investigated in the United States Army. Given how essential criminal investigations are in any text, especially the Armed Forces, this agency is crucial in maintaining order in the Army.
Contents
How Military Criminal Investigation Services Work
Every United States military branch has a designated law enforcement agency responsible for investigating criminal allegations against its service members. These agencies have a single purpose: to thoroughly examine alleged crime using investigative tools and federal government resources around the world to produce a written report for the Commanding Officer or General’s view.
The Navy Department has the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. This agency is tasked with criminal investigations, focusing on felony crime, terrorism investigations, and protective service operations for the Navy. It should be highlighted that the Naval Criminal Investigative Service covers the Navy and Marine Corps operations only.
Meanwhile, the Army has the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID). CID, the Army’s premiere law enforcement agency, comprises almost three thousand personnel assigned to 124 worldwide locations. The Army Criminal Investigation Division only engages in criminal investigations involving the most severe offenses. Other agencies, such as the Army Criminal Investigation Command, handle lesser crimes or military-specific offenses.
What Is the Army’s Equivalent to NCIS?
As previously mentioned, the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) is the premier law enforcement agency of the Army. Army CID special agents are tasked with the following:
- war crimes and terrorism investigations
- protective services for the Secretary of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other high-risk personnel
- multidimensional forensic support
- felony criminal investigations and operations
- cybercrime investigations and operations
- criminal intelligence collection and analysis
The concept of having an Army Criminal Investigation Command began during World War I. General John Pershing commanded the creation of a separate agency within the Military Police Corps. This agency aimed to prevent and detect criminal activities among the American Expeditionary Force in France. A division chief who served as the advisor to the Provost Marshal General led the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) on all matters related to criminal investigations.
In 1971, then Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird mandated the Army Secretary to create a Criminal Investigation Division (CID) with the authority and command over all Army-wide CID assets.
The Army Criminal Investigation Division is tasked with investigating crimes of only the most severe conduct. Cases involving less severe crimes are referred to military investigative officers appointed to conduct administrative investigations.
Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI)
The Air Force office has the Office of Special Investigations (OSI), which has been in operation since August 1948. This particular agency reports to the Inspector General, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. The OSI is tasked with providing professional investigative service to commanders of all Department of the Air Force activities.
OSI has more than two thousand military and civilian federally credentialed special agents that operate at more than 290 field units worldwide. Most of the OSI’s investigative activities cover felony crimes, including arson, assault, black market activities, compromise of Department of the Air Force test materials, drug use and trafficking, murder, rape, and robbery.
The Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS)
The Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS) is tasked to protect and support US Coast Guard personnel, assets, operations, and integrity worldwide. This federal law enforcement agency is authorized to carry firearms, conduct investigations of actual, alleged, or suspected criminal activity, execute and serve warrants, and make arrests.
Agents of this organization may include service members, reserve enlisted members, warrant officers, and appointed civilians. Crimes like fraud, homicide, larceny, and rape are typically the incidents that would prompt a CGIS investigation.
The United States Marine Corps Criminal Investigation Division
The Marine Corps has a specialized organization called the United States Marine Corps Criminal Investigation Division (CID). The USMC CID is assigned within the Marine Corps Police Department or Provost Marshal General’s office. This organization works directly for the Provost Marshal General or Police Chief. While the NCIS focuses on felony crime, the USMC CID is tasked with misdemeanor-level crimes and military-specific offenses.
A Comparative Analysis of CID vs NCIS
It’s understandable for one to get confused between CID and NCIS. After all, both agencies cover crimes within the Armed Forces. The main difference between the two organizations is that while the NCIS focuses on felony crime offenses, CID is tasked with misdemeanor-level crimes and military-specific offenses. In short, each organization is charged with a specific jurisdiction.
While they may have different jurisdictions, there are cases wherein the NCIS and CID work together to investigate matters involving felonies and lesser crimes. The centralization of CID and NCIS allows their agents to cooperate on exceptional cases. Moreover, it must be highlighted that the CID is assigned within the Provost Marshall’s Office or Marine Corps Police Department and works directly for the Provost Marshal or Police Chief.
The Rights of Military Personnel Investigated
Regardless of whether a service member is a civilian or another service member who went to army military police school, they should be aware of their rights during the investigation process. Miranda Rights only cover civilian citizens of the United States. Military personnel have different rights, as detailed in Article 31 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ).
Right to an Attorney
Like civilian citizens, military personnel have the right to obtain legal representation to help them in their cases. However, they are free to choose to work with the free legal representative the state assigns them.
Right to Remain Silent
Explaining oneself may be tempting to vindicate one’s actions. However, when people do that, they waive their right to remain silent. Anything the defendant says or writes down may be taken against them. The goal of this right is to prevent the defendant from saying something that may be self-incriminating.
Although some investigators may act like they’re on the side of the defendant, the investigators aren’t required to disclose what evidence they possess. They can hide information from the person being investigated.
Right to Understand Criminal Charges
Whether a service member is brought in for being accused of a crime, arrested, or brought in for questioning, they have the right to know and understand which charges they’re facing. If that person is unsure why they’re being investigated, they have the right to question why the investigation is taking place.
Right to Refuse a Search
The authorities might ask the service member being investigated for consent to search one’s home, vehicle, or even one person’s phone content. Even if that person has nothing to hide, there’s no need to consent to the search. Refusal will force the investigator to secure a search authorization, which may limit the places they can search.
What are the Career Opportunities in Army CID?
The Army Criminal Investigation Division offers its special agents different career opportunities, including but not limited to public affairs, information technology, forensic science, and financial management. Like any other employment opportunity, each role in the Army CID has its qualifications and designated roles. If a person is interested in pursuing a career in Army CID, they should search for the available opportunities through various platforms.
In comparison to NCIS agents who handle felony crimes, CID special agents are tasked to investigate lower-level crimes. This means that the possible punishment for cases investigated by CID special agents isn’t as severe as the ones handled by NCIS agents. Therefore, the qualifications for CID special agents may not be as stringent as those of NCIS personnel.
On the other hand, the qualifications would depend on the role a person is aiming for. It would be ideal for interested parties to read through job descriptions thoroughly to understand better the requirements to pursue career opportunities in Army CID.
Conclusion
So, is there an NCIS for the Army? Yes, the Army Criminal Investigation Division (CID) serves as the Army equivalent of the NCIS. Service members should familiarize themselves with these agencies if they or someone they know has to deal with them. If you wish to learn more about life in the military, explore the SCRACVS website further.
FAQs
What is the NCIS?
The Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) is a civilian law enforcement agency. This agency’s role is to investigate felony crimes, prevent terrorism, and protect service operations for the Navy and Marine Corps.
What is Army NCIS?
The Army Criminal Investigation Division, or CID, serves as the NCIS of the Army. This agency is the premiere law enforcement agency of this military branch.
Who investigates the Army?
The Army CID is in charge of investigating felony crimes in its military service branch. Crimes of a less severe nature are handled by other authorities within the Army branch.