U.S. Africa Command Office of the Inspector General
DOD Directive 5106.04, Combatant Command Inspectors General, establishes the position of the Inspector General and the Office of the Inspector General in each combatant command.

Our Guiding Principles:
  • Problem solving -- our primary task
  • Right to seek help -- without fear of reprisal
  • Objective and unbiased -- we call it as we see it

AFRICOM IG Mission Statement
The Inspector General reports directly to the Commander, US Africa Command, serving to:
  • Report on the state of efficiency, discipline, morale, training, and readiness throughout the command in support of the Commander's intent.
  • Perform as a fair, impartial, and objective fact-finder and problem-solver.
  • Assist the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, Civilians and their Families to quickly resolve issues of concern, impropriety or wrongdoing.
  • Perform investigations, inspections, and assistance functions as directed by the Commander.
  • Extend and advocate the IG concept throughout the command's area of responsibility.

IG in Depth -- Hover for Detail
IG Confidentiality
IG Confidentiality:  The IG has a duty to protect a complainant’s identity and other personal information to the maximum extent possible. The intent is to protect individual privacy, maintain confidence in the IG system, and minimize the risk of reprisal. Inspectors general should not disclose a complainant’s or a witness’ identity without the complainant’s/witness’ consent, unless the IG determines such disclosure is unavoidable during the course of the investigation or inquiry. The relationship between an IG and a complainant/witness is analogous to the doctor/patient relationship. Just as a doctor may disclose private health information to another medical expert during a consultation in order to help treat the patient, the IG may consult with relevant subject matter experts to help resolve a complainant’s problem

All requests for protection of the individual’s identity will be prominently documented and subsequent use of the person’s name will be minimized in any file or record created by the IG. The IG will refer to the person as a “complainant,” “witness,” or similar identifier instead of using the name to facilitate confidentiality.

While the need for confidentiality and the measures necessary to protect it will vary with the circumstances, the IG will always give this issue priority. It is important to remember that, while confidentiality is a priority with IGs, it cannot always be guaranteed. For the Africa Command IG, ultimately the IG works for the Commander, and the Commander owns and has access to all IG records.


Military Whistleblower Protection
Military Whistleblower Protection:  DoD policy (DoDD 7050.06) on Military Whistleblower Protection provides that members of the Armed Forces shall be free to make a protected communication to a member of Congress and/or Inspector General. Service members shall be free from reprisal for making or preparing to make such a protected communication. No person may take, or threaten to take, an unfavorable personnel action, or withhold or threaten to withhold a favorable personnel action, in reprisal against a service member for making or preparing to make a protected communication. (Whistleblower protection for civilian personnel will be addressed soon in another web topic.)
Q. What is a whistleblower?
A. A member of the Armed Forces who makes or prepares to make a protected communication.
Q. What is a protected communication?
A. Any lawful communication in which a member of the Armed Forces communicates information that the member reasonably believes evidences a violation of law or regulation, including a law or regulation prohibiting sexual harassment or unlawful discrimination, gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds or other resources, abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, when such communication is made to any of the following: a member of Congress; an IG; or member of a DoD audit, inspection, investigation, or law enforcement organization; or to any person in the chain of command.
Q. What is reprisal?
A. Taking or threatening to take an unfavorable personnel action, or withholding or threatening to withhold a favorable personnel action, for making or preparing to make a protected communication.
Q. What is restriction?
A. Preventing or attempting to prevent members of the Armed Forces from making or preparing to make lawful communications to members of Congress and/or an IG.
Complaints alleging reprisal must be submitted no more than 60 days after the date the member becomes aware of the personnel action that is the subject of the allegation. An IG receiving a reprisal complaint submitted more than 60 days after the member became aware of the personnel action at issue may consider the complaint based on compelling reasons for the delay in submission or the strength of the evidence submitted.

Use the following URL to learn more about Military Whistleblower Protection:
http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/705006p.pdf


  Contact Information  
 Col Stephen Andreasen, Inspector General
Address    HQ U.S. Africa Command
 attn: Inspector General
 Unit 29951
 APO, AE 09751
Phone    DSN: (314) 421-2682
 Comm: +49 (0)0711 729-2682
  send email
 
  After-duty Emergency Assistance Requests  
 Please either email us or call the Dept of Defense IG Hotline at
1 (800) 424-9098

 Dialing Instructions (DSN to commercial toll-free)
 Dial (809) 4-OFF DSN   (809 463-3376)
 When you hear a second dial tone,  dial your toll-free number including the "1"
 
To request assistance without fear of reprisal is the right of every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, Coastguardsman, Civilian, or Family Member seeking IG help.

U.S. Department of Defense Special Report:\n\nU.S. Africa Command
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AFRICOM Dialogue

Recent Posts by AFRICOM Staff

From LTC Richard Murphy, AFRICOM Humanitarian and Health Activities Branch
on 9/14/2012 9:27:24 AM
"The U.S. Africa Command Disaster Preparedness Program conducted a key leader engagement in Kenya on September 10-11, 2012 with the Commander of the Kenyan Rapid Deployment Capability..."
(Read Full Entry)

From LTC David Knellinger
on 9/10/2012 2:02:03 PM
"The Central Africa Region Environmental Security Symposium, hosted by the United States Africa Command Environmental Security Program and the United Nations Environmental Programme..."
(Read Full Entry)

From Brigadier General Stayce Harris
on 7/19/2012 8:54:32 AM
"The following blog is by Brigadier General Stayce Harris, U.S. Africa Command's mobilization reserve assistant to the commander. Over the past 2 years, I have had the..."
(Read Full Entry)

Recent Posts by Internet Public

Hamza in Gabes, Tunisia wrote
on 10/2/2012 11:09:13 AM
"I LOVE US ARMY I DREAM TO BE SOME ONE FROM MARINS ITS JUST DREAM..."
(Read Full Entry)

Pamela in Virginia wrote
on 10/2/2012 10:28:15 AM
"This command much needed not only to ustain African governments ,but to also be an aide to our United States stability and protection. Many hostile in that area ,especially on East..."
(Read Full Entry)

Herman in Pretoria wrote
on 9/23/2012 5:46:33 PM
"Awesome aircraft, thank you for the display! It is most appreciated...."
(Read Full Entry)

Paul in UK wrote
on 8/22/2012 9:16:10 AM
"I was also involved in the communications training at Kisangani and share Michel Beya's comments I'm sure we met. What I saw was a very well trained battalion and hope that..."
(Read Full Entry)

Mark in Fort Leavenworth wrote
on 8/21/2012 10:25:29 PM
"False allegations against Commander USAFRICOM appear to be in fashion. It is shameful that someone felt the need to assassinate the character of the previous commander — one ..."
(Read Full Entry)