Department of Defense Whistleblower Program
Our investigators, auditors, evaluators and inspectors rely on whistleblowers to provide information as a source of allegations and as original and corroborating evidence. Federal employees within the Executive are required to report corruption. When they do so through the Inspector General Act of 1978, the DoD IG can investigate alleged reprisal against those whistleblowers. Whistleblowing is not a ‘nice to have’ function; it is essential to the national security and defense mission of the Federal government.
Our sources come to us personally; others are interviewees in our investigations, audits, evaluations, and inspections. They can be Qui Tam relators under the False Claims Act, reporting to the Congress under the Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Act, a participant in the Contractor Disclosure Program, or the Defense Hotline.
To report corruption: SUBMIT A WHISTLEBLOWING OR REPRISAL COMPLAINT TO THE DOD HOTLINE
To assist potential whistleblowers, the Inspector General has designated a Whistleblower Protection Ombudsman for the Department of Defense. The Ombudsman is available to assist both civilian employees and military members, as well as members of the Defense intelligence community seeking protection under the Defense Intelligence Community Whistleblower Program.
- A violation of law, rule, or regulation,
- Gross mismanagement,
- Gross waste of funds,
- An abuse of authority, or
- A substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.
Whistleblowers are protected by various government statutes and acts that prevent federal employees from taking any personnel action against an employee who has engaged in protected whistleblowing.
See the DoD IG resources and programs listed below for more details on whistleblowing:
- About Whistleblower Protection
Learn about Whistleblower rights and the protections afforded to them. - Whistleblower Protection Ombudsman
To assist potential whistleblowers, the Inspector General has designated a Whistleblower Protection Ombudsman (WPO) for the Department of Defense. . - Whistleblower Reprisal Investigations
Conducts and oversees allegations of whistleblower reprisal made by DoD Military Service members, Nonappropriated Fund (NAF) employees, and Contractor Employees.
- Contractor Disclosure Program
Offers contractors a means of reporting certain violations of criminal law and violations of the civil False Claims Act discovered during self-policing activities.
- Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Act (ICWPA)
Affords a process for Intelligence Community employees or contractor employees to report matters of "urgent concern" to the intelligence committees of Congress.
- FAQ for Whistleblowers
Answers common questions regarding whistleblowing and reprisal investigations.
- No FEAR Act Reporting
Increases the accountability of federal agencies for violations of anti-discrimination and whistleblower protection laws, reporting summary statistical data of complaints filed against the agency.
- Open Government Links
Links to resources and pages promoting openness and transparency in government.