Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I be disciplined for contacting an IG?
What is a “protected communication?”
Can I see the IG during normal duty hours?
What is a “third party complaint?”
What types of complaints are appropriate for the IG?
What types of complaints are NOT appropriate for the IG?
Can I talk to the IG “off the record?”
What IG do I or my family speak to when I am mobilized/ deployed?
How do I contact the next higher level IG?
What information will the IG need from me?
Can the Inspector General order my supervisor to fix a problem?
Can I obtain the results of an Inspector General’s investigation/ inquiry that I initiated?
What happens if someone knowingly provides false information to an IG?
Can I be disciplined for contacting an IG?
No! Contact with an IG is a “protected communication.” A supervisor or employee who reprises against an employee for contacting an IG faces possible punishment for violation of the statutory prohibition against reprisal for Whistleblowing.<
What is a “protected communication?”
A protected communication is defined as:
• Any lawful communication to a member of Congress or an Inspector General.
• A communication in which a member of the Armed Forces provides information that the member reasonably believes evidences a violation of law or regulation, including sexual harassment or unlawful discrimination, mismanagement, a gross waste of funds or other resources, an 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 a member of a DOD audit, inspection, investigation, or law enforcement organization.
Any other person or organization (including any person or organization in the chain of command) designated under Component regulations or other established administrative procedures to receive such complaints. Section 591 of the Ronald W. Reagan National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005, effective October 28, 2004, amends 10 U.S.C. 1034 to make clear that any individual within a military member’s chain of command may receive protected communications. “Chain of command” in this context includes not only the succession of commanders from a superior to a subordinate through which command is exercised, but also the succession of officers, enlisted, or civilian personnel through which administrative control is exercised, including supervision and rating of the member’s performance.
Reprisal is taking or threatening to take an unfavorable personnel action or withholding or threatening to withhold a favorable personnel action on a military member for making or preparing a protected disclosure. More information concerning Military Whistleblower Protection can be found in DoD Directive 7050.06.
Can I see the IG during normal duty hours?
There are no preconditions for coming to the Inspector General for assistance; however, during normal duty hours, military and Department of Defense (DoD) personnel must inform the chain of command that they are leaving their place of duty. They cannot just walk off the job and fail to inform their supervisors where they are going. After duty hours, they may go to the Inspector General without notifying their supervisors. Anyone, regardless of status, may make a complaint, allegation, or request for information or assistance to any Army or Air Force IG concerning matters of Army or Air Force interest.
What is a “third party complaint?”
Third-party complainants are individuals who provide a complaint on behalf of a Soldier, Airman, civilian employee or anyone else.
The Privacy Act prohibits the release of Privacy Act protected information to the third parties without the consent of the individual to whom the information pertains unless a Privacy Act exception applies that permits disclosure.
IG responses to third parties are direct in nature and simply acknowledge receipt of the complaint.
What types of complaints are appropriate for the IG?
– Threats to homeland security
– Health and safety issues
– Trafficking in persons
– Whistleblower reprisal – military, civilian, contractor employees, non-appropriated fund employees
– Improper military mental health evaluations
– Leaks of classified information
– Bribery and acceptance of gratuities
– Conflicts of interest
– Contract and procurement fraud
– Health care fraud
– Travel or purchase card fraud
– Cost/labor mischarging
– Counterfeit or substandard parts
– Computer crimes
– Abuse of Authority
– Restricting someone from seeing the IG
***Any Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (FWA), violations of law, instructions, or policy should be reported through the appropriate grievance channels.***
The fact that you may disagree with your supervisor(s) over management styles or have what you believe is a “personality conflict,” does not constitute an injustice or mismanagement.
If you are not sure your concern is an IG matter, contact the IG office for guidance or advice.
What types of complaints are NOT appropriate for the IG?
The following is a list of issues that are typically not appropriate for the IG, however, anyone can contact the IG regarding the issues below:
– Criminal allegations
– Issues that have other means of redress (if the appropriate redress procedures are used, IGs will advise complainants that IG involvement focuses on ensuring that the complainant received due process and the protection of rights as intended by law and regulation)
– Court-martial actions
– Non-judicial punishment
– Officer evaluation reports
– Enlisted reductions
– NCO evaluation reports
– Type of discharge received
– Pending or requested discharge
– Complaints that a commanding officer has wronged a soldier
– Financial liability investigations of property loss
– Civilian allegations of reprisals
– Claims
– Issues that are not Army or Air Force related
– Department of Defense civilian employee redress through other channels
– Relief for cause
– Adverse information filed in personnel records (except for allegations of reprisal)
– Hazardous work conditions
– Equal Employment Opportunity
– Collective bargaining agreements
– Appeals of adverse actions within the purview of 5 USC 7701-7703
Can I talk to an IG “off the record?”
Information provided to an IG is NEVER “off the record!” However, we attempt to maintain confidentiality.
ANYONE!
What IG do I or my family speak to if I am mobilized/deployed?
Inspector General “coverage” is typically based on geographic location or unit affiliation, therefore:
• If you are at your home station, contact the Kansas National Guard Inspector General.
• If you are at the mobilization station (i.e.: Camp Shelby, Camp Atterbury, Fort Dix, etc.), contact the local installation (fort/base) Inspector General.
• If you are deployed to a theater outside the U.S., (i.e.: Iraq, Afghanistan), contact the higher headquarters or local Inspector General.
• If you are deployed to an area of operation inside the U.S. (i.e.: Arizona, Louisiana, Kentucky, etc.), contact the nearest installation/division/wing or your home state’s Inspector General’s office.
When in doubt as to whether or not the Kansas National Guard Inspector General will have “jurisdiction” over your case, don’t hesitate to contact us at (785) 646-1020/1021/1022,1024 and we will advise accordingly.
For family members of deployed Soldiers/Airmen:
The families of Soldiers/Airmen who are deployed are assigned a Family Assistance Center (FAC) Specialist, and that FAC Specialist should be their first point of contact when assistance is needed.
If the Soldier, Airman or family member is associated with a unit not deployed, they can still contact the State Family Program Office. State Family Support Services personnel are available at (785) 646-1171.
If the issue remains unresolved and after appropriate agency failed to respond in a timely manner, then family members should contact the Kansas National Guard Inspector General or other Inspector General’s office.
How do I contact the next higher level IG?
National Guard Bureau (Army National Guard)
Attn: NGB-IG
1411 Jefferson Davis Hwy.
Arlington, VA 22202-3259
Email: [email protected]
NGB Assistance Line: (703) 607-2539
Website: National Guard Bureau (NGB) IG
Department of the Army
DA IG Assistance line: 1-800-752-9747
Website: Department of the Army (DA) IG
Air National Guard
Secretary of the Air Force IG
Email: [email protected]
AF IG Hotline: 1-800-538-8429 / (202) 404-5354
Website: Secretary of Air Force IG
Department of Defense
DoD IG Hotline: 1-800-424-9098
Website: DoD Hotline
What information will the IG need from me?
Identify to the IG what you would like the IG system to do for you.
Provide copies of any hard evidence or written documentation that you have to support your case and a list of other offices/agencies you have contacted regarding your issues when you contact the IG. This will greatly assist in the resolution of your issues.
Please attach your support documents to your completed and signed Department of Army (DA) form 1559, Inspector General Action Request (provided on our Army National Guard Toolbox page) or Air Force Form 102, Inspector General Personal and Fraud, Waste & Abuse Complaint Registration (provided on our Air National Guard Toolbox page) and mail, email, or fax to our office (please see contact information provided on our main page).
Can an Inspector General order my supervisor to fix a problem?
NO! An Inspector General belongs to the Commander’s Personal Staff. The IG has NO command authority. Therefore, we report, and make recommendations to the Commander for his/her action.
Can I obtain the results of an Inspector General’s investigation/inquiry that I initiated?
The initiator of an IG investigation/inquiry will be informed upon the completion of an investigation/inquiry of the results as they pertain to the initiator. An individual may request IG records through the Freedom of Information Act by writing to the IG Office of record. However, due to concerns regarding confidentiality, they are not allowed to obtain the results of an investigation/inquiry concerning third parties. (Privacy Act of 1974, Army Regulation 20-1, Air Force Instruction 90-301).
What happens if someone knowingly provides false information to an IG?
Those who knowingly and intentionally provide false statements to an IG are subject to potential punitive and administrative action.