Who are the Admin Hold authorities?

• A. The Base legal office
• B. The CC and investigations staff
• C. AFOSI and SFS
• D. The SJA, CC, and investigating agencies

Answer: (D)

Administrative holds are a measure used to protect the integrity of an investigation and ensure good order and discipline, but they must be authorized and coordinated across legal, command, and investigative lines. The Staff Judge Advocate provides the legal review and ensures procedures respect rights and regulations. The Commanding Officer has the authority to impose or approve the hold to safeguard the mission and personnel. The investigating agencies carry out the hold under direction, gathering information without compromising the investigation. Because all three elements—legal oversight, command authority, and proper investigative execution—are required, the combination of the SJA, the commanding officer, and the investigating agencies is the correct framework. A base legal office alone cannot unilaterally place a hold, and investigative agencies alone cannot authorize it without legal and command involvement.