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WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION INFORMATION

The DODIG Directorate for Military Reprisal Investigations, has the primary authority and responsibility to conduct investigations concerning allegations of reprisal against military members, nonappropriated fund employees and Defense contractor employees.

Military Members now have the option of directly contacting their Military Department Inspector General or reporting their complaints to the DODIG Directorate for Military Reprisal Investigations through the Defense Hotline.

The October 1998 revision to Title 10, United States Code, Section 1034 (10 USC 1034), the "Military Whistleblower Protection Act," contained significant changes in how the Military Department Inspectors General and DODIG will process reprisal allegations. The most significant change is that Military Department IGs now have the authority to grant the protections of 10 USC 1034 to reprisal allegations they receive. This means that military members are no longer required to submit reprisal allegations directly with the DODIG for coverage under 10 USC 1034.

• Military Department IGs must notify the DODIG within ten working days of receiving reprisal allegations. The DODIG Directorate for Military Reprisal Investigations will maintain a system to track those notifications.

• Military Department IGs will then conduct a preliminary inquiry to determine whether the allegations merit investigation under 10 USC 1034. All decisions by Military Department IGs not to investigate allegations of military Whistleblower reprisal are subject to the review and concurrence of the Director, DODIG Directorate for Military Reprisal Investigations.

• As before, all final reports of investigation under 10 USC 1034 must be approved by the Director, DODIG Directorate for Military Reprisal Investigations.

DoD component Inspectors General may accept reprisal allegations from nonappropriated fund employees.

DoD Directive 1401.3, "Reprisal Protection of Nonappropriated Fund Instrumentality Employees/Applicants," revised on October 16, 2001, provides that DoD Component Inspectors General may accept reprisal allegations from nonappropriated fund employees. The Directive further provides that the Component Inspectors General must forward the reprisal allegations to the DODIG for resolution.

Defense contractor employees seeking whistleblower reprisal protection must continue to report allegations directly to the DODIG.

The Defense Hotline is designated to receive reprisal complaints on behalf of the Directorate for Military Reprisal Investigations. We will pre-process your complaint and then forward it to the Directorate for Military Reprisal Investigations. They will determine if your complaint meets the criteria required to initiate a reprisal investigation. We will notify you in writing of their decision and tell you specifically what action will be taken regarding your complaint.

The links below provide details concerning the various categories of reprisal and a sample reprisal complaint letter. These items can be printed from your Internet browser to assist you in documenting your complaint.

You may also call the Defense Hotline at (800) 424-9098 to discuss your case with an investigator if you have additional questions or concerns. Persons who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may also contact us through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339 (additional information regarding the Federal Relay Service may be obtained through it's website www.gsa.gov/frs).

Complaints should be submitted via mail or fax transmission. Our address is: DEFENSE HOTLINE, THE PENTAGON, WASHINGTON DC 20301-1900. Our commercial fax number is (703) 604-8567. Our DSN prefix is 664.

MILITARY COMPLAINTS

DOD NONAPPROPRIATED FUND EMPLOYEE COMPLAINTS

DEFENSE CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEE COMPLAINTS

IMPROPER MENTAL HEALTH REFERRALS

DOD APPROPRIATED FUND EMPLOYEE COMPLAINTS 
This is a link to the Office of Special Counsel. Press "back" on your internet browser to return to this page. The Office of Special Counsel has the authority and responsibility to investigate complaints of reprisal against appropriated fund civilian employees. This is a link to their internet web site. They can be reached by telephone at (800) 872-9855.

SAMPLE REPRISAL COMPLAINT LETTER