Defense Hotline Reprisal Complaints
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.
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