Can CID task a non-CID/MP soldier to assist with an investigation?

I was a CID agent for 17 years from 1/78 through 12/94. I initially served as a Sergeant and retired as a CW3. In all of those years, I have never known the CID to use a non-investigator in an investigative role. That is why we routinely went to courses which were non-investigatory yet fields where we conducted a lot of investigations. For example, I completed courses in club operations, property disposal and contracting. I was also recognized as a trained forensic interviewer of children.

What the CID would often do is utilize certain MOSs for their unique skills, such as combat engineers. In Germany, a three-man mine detection crew located a .25 semi-automatic in less than 10 minutes. These personnel were utilized after going through their chain-of-command and this makes sergeant majors proud when their soldiers shine. Back then, you also received extra promotion points for certificates of achievement signed by a LTC or higher. We’d always award those troopers with such CID Certificates of Achievement.

I used combat engineers several times in my career to find buried handguns used in homicides attempted homicides. I used them as they had the practical knowledge in using mine detection equipment. In both instances, I had two-two soldier teams and an NCO. They were with me for less than a full day and in both cases found the guns we were seeking. They were very important to each case as the substantiated confessions by finding guns where the suspects said they buried them. All team members later received Certificates of Commendation from the CID commander.

"Crowd Control and Crime Scene Security"

This can happen but only as a CI (Confidential Informant) or source. As a CID Agent in Hawaii I never "recruited" soldiers to help me in any investigation but did develop sources both military and off post civilians. CID is a unique animal. We are the FBI of the Army and we have powers to conduct investigations even off post. During my time as an agent I recruited several pawn shop owners as CI's and they would provide me with information I needed on larceny cases, etc.

One area which has not been mentioned is assistance that non-MP soldiers provide in criminal investigations within their MOS. For example, in 17 years I used engineer mine detection teams in Germany on attempted murder investigations in locating the suspect’s handgun used to shoot another soldier. At Fort Knox and Fort Leonard Wood, we used aviation flight crews to held eradicate marihuana fields growing on the reservation. I used EOD to assist on a break-in of the ASP at Camp Roberts, CA when I was assigned at Fort Ord, CA. In all cases, the soldiers’ chain-of-command was aware of and involved in providing the support. We would also provide support troops with CID Certificates of Achievement. In a 20-year Army career, 17 years with the CID Command, I never used a non-CID/MP in a covert operation.

CID agents can recruit you as a source or CI (confidential informant). Of course they don't make you do it as it is voluntary. My sources were some soldiers who hung out at the club and had their own car club that sometimes hung out with another club that was known to steal vehicles and chop them and sell to these guys and running drugs. All were soldiers believe it or not.

The only thing I have heard of like this was during Vietnam but it was very unusual. The real world person that Michael J Fox's character In Casualties of War was based was held up in Vietnam while the investigation proceeded, was transferred to the CID unit that was investigating. He took investigators to the places involved and helped recover the victims remains. He would help the MPs on straggler sweeps.

I think CW4 Shaun Collins is right, sounds like someone embellishing a confidential informant role.

Why wouldn't CID send in one for their own that's actually trained to do undercover work?