If warranted, MRI has the discretion to either conduct the investigation or forward it to the service IG for investigation. Whistleblowers disclose acts of illegality, fraud, waste and abuse. The sergeant petitioned the promotion board and was subsequently promoted to staff sergeant. Appendix); and implemented by DoD Directive 5106.01, "Inspector General of the Department of Defense," is to serve as an independent and objective office in DoD to: BY Gary Kalman, Opinion Contributor 04/24/20 06:30 PM … It is limited to complaints of "urgent concern." The responsible officials, a lieutenant colonel and a chief master sergeant, were issued letters of counseling. Department of Defense Whistleblower Program book. If warranted, MRI has the discretion to either conduct the investigation or forward it to the service IG for investigation. DoD Hotline . In addition to investigating allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse; in 2008 DCIS launched a proactive project, which is analyzing over $14 billion in payment vouchers related to U.S. Army purchases in Iraq. An Army staff sergeant received an unfavorable Non-Commissioned Officer Evaluation Report in reprisal for reporting to members of her chain of command that there was a perception of favoritism and a possible inappropriate relationship between two non-commissioned officers. The official alleged that management officials suspended him and failed to promote him in reprisal for his protected disclosure concerning fraud, waste, abuse, and gross mismanagement associated with a criminal investigation into transportation contract fraud. Found inside... Exist to Improve DOD's Oversight of Contractor Ethics Programs Why GAO Did This Study Until recently, ethics programs and ... DOD hotline poster requirements for contractors to ensure that whistleblower protections are communicated. In administering the DICWP, the Office of the… … Wikipedia, Whistleblower — This is an article about a term. A Navy chief petty officer was relieved of her duties as the operations chief and assigned watch duties not commensurate with her rank in reprisal for reporting to the EO Advisor that her supervisor, a Navy civilian, made sexually offensive comments to her. The senior master sergeant retired before corrective action could be taken. A Navy investigation substantiated he was reassigned and threatened with discharge in reprisal for making a protected communication. A Marine Corps sergeant was disenrolled from an education program, received an unfavorable fitness report, and denied a promotion for making protected communications to an inspector general and Equal Employment officer of gender discrimination and sexual harassment. Some of the more significant issues for the future include: protections for Title 32 Military Technician employees, expanding the U.S. Office of Special Counsel Section 2302(c) Certification effort throughout the Department, and improving the protections for appropriated fund employees within the intelligence community. One statute that is often confused as providing protection from reprisal for whistleblowing is the Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Act of 1998 (ICWPA), enacted as part of the Intelligence Authorization Act for FY 1999 and which amended the Inspector General Act of 1978, 5 U.S.C. It also provided information to Members of Congress regarding legislation able to strengthen whistleblower protections. In the early 1990s, Congress enhanced protections for military members after learning about reports that service members who "blew the whistle" were being sent for involuntary mental health evaluations in reprisal. An Army Reserve staff sergeant received an unfavorable Non-Commissioned Officer Evaluation Report in reprisal Investigations for filing complaints with IGs and military equal opportunity advisors alleging he was ordered to falsify inventory records and was subjected to a hostile work environment. Only through effective enforcement and robust education can DoD IG create an environment where DoD employees feel comfortable coming forward to raise concerns about waste, fraud, and abuse without the fear of reprisal.[8]. The… … Wikipedia, National Whistleblower Center — The National Whistleblower Center (NWC) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, tax exempt, educational and advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C.. The Defense Hotline is designated to receive reprisal complaints on behalf of the Directorate for Military Reprisal Investigations. September 30, 2014 . A bipartisan group of Congressional leaders involved in oversight of defense contracting activities delivered a strong rebuke to the Department of Defense - Office of the Inspector General ("DoD IG") regarding its interpretation of the defense contractor whistleblower statute, 10 U.S.C. 1034. This can prevent government failure in the future. An Army master sergeant was referred for a mental health evaluation, removed from the “First Sergeant” course, and given an unfavorable noncommissioned officer evaluation report in reprisal for reporting to an IG that her rater had threatened her, and for informing her chain of command of potential violations of height/weight standards by command members. A Navy officer received an adverse fitness report in reprisal for making protected communications to members of his command chain and his congressional representative concerning inappropriate conduct and misuse of government property. This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the U.S. Department of Defense. An infrastructure development and operations employee of an office engaged in counterintelligence alleged six acts of reprisal in response to disclosures regarding irregular management of contracts. Within the DoD IG, the Assistant Inspector General for Communications & Congressional Liaison supervises the Directorate for Whistleblowing & Transparency (DW&T), which provides advice, counsel and oversight capability to the Inspector General. Sincerely, - 30-. An Army sergeant alleged his first sergeant recommended him for an Article 15 in reprisal for reporting unsafe conditions during a field exercise to an inspector general. One-third of CRI’s open cases concern intelligence or counterintelligence activities, and the remaining two-thirds involve procurement fraud sources.[6]. We have defeated claims charging fraud on Medicare and Medicaid, on major defense aircraft projects, on the NASA Space Shuttle program, on Department of Energy environmental cleanup sites, and many more. An Army National Guard warrant officer piloting helicopters in Iraq received an unfavorable officer evaluation report in reprisal for his complaints to an inspector general concerning flying safety and unfair treatment, and for a prior complaint of reprisal to the Defense Hotline. A Navy investigation substantiated he was reassigned and threatened with discharge in reprisal for making a protected communication. Corrective action is pending. Defense, State Agree: Diversity, Inclusion Important for Mission Success. Of the 65 cases investigated, 11 (17 percent) con-tained one or more substantiated allegations of whistleblower reprisal. Was an unfavorable action subsequently taken or withheld? [6], MRI has developed efficient procedures to conduct preliminary inquiries and investigations to ensure that all whistleblower reprisal complaints are thoroughly addressed, and in a timely manner. WRI also investigates, on a discretionary basis, allegations of reprisal filed by DoD appropriated fund civilian employees and in particular, civilian employees of the defense intelligence community. The Department of the Interior (2002), through Inspector General Earl Devaney, was the first office to establish an ombuds program assisting appropriated-fund civilian employees with whistleblowing issues. Compliance with §2302(c) certification provides federal employees with the understanding that: Further, compliance with §2302(c) certification achieves three goals: Of the fifty-two (52) Defense components and the many offices and commands within those components,[40] three entities are §2302(c) certified: The U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Inspector General, the Naval Research Laboratory Office of the Inspector General, and the United States Air Force’s 375th Airlift Wing headquartered at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois.[41]. The report was the ninth case in a series of oversight actions beginning in 2004. DoD IG also conducted a total of 15 whistleblower reprisal outreach events attended by 255 DoD military and civilian personnel. Of the 237 cases, 188 were closed after preliminary inquiry determined further investigation was not warranted, and 49 were closed after full investigation. The soldiers have all been retained. CRI supports all categories of DoD civilian appropriated fund employees alleging reprisal for making a disclosure by statute or internal regulation. An MRI investigation substantiated the allegation. Clean Air Act Provides … On September 30, 2010, DoD IG had 21 open cases and one oversight action. Was the management official aware of the communication before taking the action against the complainant? 1034 charges the DoD IG with a critical oversight role—to approve any decision made by a service IG that investigation of military whistleblower reprisal is not warranted and to approve the results of all military whistleblower reprisal investigations conducted by service IGs. Remedial action was taken by the commander. This law requires DoD to adopt policies and procedures for detecting and avoiding counterfeit parts in its own direct purchases, and for assessing and acting upon reports of counterfeit parts from DoD officials and DoD contractors. An Army National Guard sergeant major alleged he was issued an unfavorable noncommissioned officer evaluation in reprisal for reporting violations of the UCMJ and fiscal laws to his chain of command. An Air Force technical sergeant received a downgraded performance report and was denied an end-of-tour award in reprisal for disclosing to his Group commander an improper relationship between two members within the wing. No corrective action was taken due to the retirement of the responsible official. A lead safety and occupational health specialist at an Army Depot was reprised against after being perceived as a whistleblower. The Department of Defense Inspector General actively investigates whistleblower reprisal complaints not only to educate witnesses and responsible management officials alike in whistleblowing rights and responsibilities, but also to ensure that DoD civilian employees who blow the whistle are protected from reprisal. In addition to the actions included under the definition of a UPSD, CRI also investigates suspension of security clearances as well as recommendations to an agency’s central adjudication facility to revoke, deny, or suspend security clearances as possible unfavorable personnel security determinations. Of the 11 investigations closed, three contained substantiated allegations of reprisal resulting in a 27 percent substantiation rate. Failure to report cyberattacks among Department of Defense (DOD) contractors and subcontractors means big whistleblower opportunities for IT professionals and other defense contractor employees. Referred to command officials for remedial action has virtually zero chance at U.S.. Dod military and civilian personnel important matter IG requires command and control in 1033. And one oversight action substantiated he was reassigned and threatened with discharge in reprisal for his protected communications subordinate. 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