Wing Inspector General

Answer One.  You can file an IG complaint with any IG office.  However, it is best to file an IG complaint with the IG office servicing the organization that owns the subject or process against which the complaint is being made.  In the Air Force, most installations or Wings will have an IG.  If you have a complaint against a person or process that belongs to the installation or Wing, you should file you complaint with the local IG.  It can get a little complicated however.  Assume you are assigned to an AETC unit located on an installation where the host wing is Air Mobility Command (AMC).  AMC owns the installation and most of the units.  If you have a complaint against people or processes in one of these units, you should file with the local AMC installation IG.  However, if you have a complaint against someone in your AETC unit, you should file your complaint with the AETC IG that services your unit.  That may be AETC/IGQ or an IG at the AETC base where your parent unit is located.  BOTTOM LINE - we don't expect you to be experts.  If you have questions or are in doubt, call the nearest Air Force IG and they will help you determine the best course of action for filing your complaint.

Answer Two.  Filing complaints at the lowest level and with the most appropriate IG improves the response time for handling your complaint.  AFI 90-301, Inspector General Complaints Resolution, governs how we process complaints.  We are generally required to work an issue at the lowest possible level.  Therefore, if you file a complaint with the Department of Defense Hotline or the Air Force Hotline run by SAF/IGQ, those offices will most likely send you complaint down through channels until it reaches the lowest applicable level.  Those transfers take time.  Higher level IGs will generally only work a complaint after it has been addressed at a lower level and when there is reason to look at the issue again. 

Answer Three.  Sending your complaint to multiple people all at once (the local IG, the MAJCOM IG, your two Senators, the Air Force Chief of Staff, and the SECDEF, for instance) doesn't speed things up.  Complaints are not normally worked in multiple channels at the same time.  The higher levels of government decide who will answer and it is generally the lower levels that will get the tasking.  Time becomes a factor again as the complaint gets transferred down the chain and folks untangle who actually will work the issue.  While you can file with anyone and as many people as you want, highly recommend you start at the lowest level and work your way up.

Answer.  The preferred method for filing an IG complaint is to complete and submit an AF IMT 102, Inspector General Personal and Fraud, Waste & Abuse Complaint Registration. 

·        Complete all the personal information so the IG can contact you.  We prefer sending mail to your home so your home address is preferred

·        Describe the problem, wrongdoing, allegations in as much detail as possible.  Use the back of the form and attach pages as necessary

·        List all relevant witnesses

·        Attach any relevant documentation.  Make sure you keep a copy.  Once you give a document to the IG, it is part of an IG record and the only way you can get a copy is through the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

·        Specify who you have contacted about this matter before or if you have filed this complaint somewhere else

·        Sign and date the form.  Note the Privacy Act statement and the Official Use caution against making false statements

·        Once complete, mail, fax, email, or hand deliver the AF IMT 102 to the desired IG office

You can, of course, submit a complaint in writing without using an AF IMT 102.  We will, however, ask you to provide most of the information we would normally get from the AF IMT 102.  You may also use email or file a complaint telephonically.  If filing by phone, don't be surprised if the IG asks you to provide something in writing.  We would much rather have the complaint in your own words instead of our interpretation of what we thought you said.

Answer.  To properly analyze your complaint, the IG needs to know specific things about what you believe has been done wrongfully.   These are:

• WHO committed the wrongful action?
• WHAT act did they commit?
• WHEN did the act occur?
• What STANDARD, RULE, POLICY, or PROCEDURE was violated by the act or action?

In IG speak, we say "WHO did WHAT WHEN in violation of WHAT STANDARD?"  When we have these four elements, we can properly frame an allegation.  We do not expect you to present us with properly framed and well written allegations in your complaint.  However, you need to provide us with enough information so that we can frame the allegations.  If you don't know the STANDARD, fine...we can generally figure out which one applies.  The WHO, WHAT, and WHEN are much more critical.  So, when you file your complaint, give us as much detail as you can in these areas.

Answer.  Yes and no.  AFI 90-301 states that your IG complaint should normally be filed within 60 days of the time you learned of the alleged wrongdoing.  The reason for 60 days - as time passes, the ability to look into the past accurately via testimony or physical evidence becomes more and more difficult.   The longer you wait to file a complaint, the harder it is to reconstruct what actually occurred.  If you cannot or do not meet the 60 day requirement, you normally must demonstrate that extenuating circumstances prevented you from filing your complaint in a timely manner.  However, there is nothing magic about 60 days.  It is a rule of thumb.  Always present your issues to the IG and let them decide on whether the complaint is timely or not.  If, however, your issues are 3 years old, don't be surprised if the IG dismisses the complaint on the grounds that he/she is unable to gather sufficient accurate evidence to analyze the issue properly.  

Answer.  Yes.  You do not have to give us your name when you file a complaint.  However, anonymous complainants are not entitled to a response concerning what action was taken with respect to their complaint.  Hard for the IG to respond to someone when they do not know who the someone is.

Answer.  A collateral question might be whether you can file an IG complaint and count on the IG keeping your identity confidential?  In the Air Force IG system, express confidentiality does not exist.  If we know who you are, we can share your identity on an OFFICIAL USE basis with agencies as necessary to address your issues.  This includes giving your complaint and your identity to your chain of command and asking them to address your issues (referral).  We can make these disclosures without your permission.  So, if you really don't want anyone to know who you are, anonymous is the way to go.

Answer.  Your identity, your complaint, and the fact you filed an IG complaint are PROTECTED information as part of an IG system of records.  That means we can only share your information on an OFFICIAL USE basis as needed to address your issues.  Other third parties that might want to know about you or your complaint must file an Official Use Request or a petition under the FOIA to get information about you or your complaint.  Those requests will be processed by the appropriate release authority with the goal of protecting your identity and participation in the IG complaints process to the maximum extent possible as allowed under the law.

Answer.  A third party complaint is a complaint made by one person on behalf of another person.  For example, the spouse of an active duty Air Force member files an IG complaint alleging the active duty spouse is being mistreated at work.  The active duty member is the person who is being wronged (first party) but the spouse is the one filing the complaint (third party) on his/her behalf.  For Air Force IG complaints, a third party complainant is normally only entitled to an acknowledgment that the complaint has been received by the IG.  If the first party signs a Privacy Act release and consents to release of information to the third party, additional information may be made available.  For maximum effectiveness, IGs prefer to work directly with the first party in all complaints.  However, this should not deter you from filing a third party complaint if the situation warrants.  Lastly, third party complaints of reprisal and restriction are not accepted.  The law requires those complaints be filed by the first party.  See the section on reprisal and restricted access below.

Answer.  By law, certain complaints must be addressed through the IG complaints resolution process.  These are complaints of military reprisal, and military restriction.  See Q12-14 below for more info on these issues.  The IG system can also be used if no grievance channel is available to examine an issue or if the complainant has exhausted specified appeal process and believes the process was mishandled.  The majority of any remaining issues presented to IGs are generally found suitable for resolution in a grievance channel other than the IG complaints resolution system.  For you, the complainant, normally try and work the issue through command or supervisory channels before contacting the IG.  If there is a specified grievance channel for an issue, you should normally use that channel before trying to resolve the matter through IG channels.  For example, for an Enlisted Performance or Officer Performance Report issue, an appeal to the Evaluation Reports Appeal Board (ERAB) may be the best course of action.  Regardless, if you have an issue and are unsure of your options, contact the IG for advice.  It's our job to analyze the issues and help you find resolution.  The burden of determining what grievance channel is appropriate for your complaint falls on the IG, not you.  We will help you figure out what you should do.

Answer.  Certain issues have specified grievance channels and AFI 90-301 mandates those channels be used to resolve those issues.  You, the complainant, can put your complaint directly in those channels (called an ASSIST in IG lingo) or you can file an IG complaint and we, the IG, will place the issue in the appropriate channel for you (called a REFERRAL).  The following list is NOT all inclusive but will give you an idea of what issues are not generally resolved through the IG complaints resolution process.

As previously mentioned, the table above is not comprehensive.  Most issues or complaints involving discretionary use of authority by a commander or supervisor should be presented to the next higher level of command for review before filing an IG complaint.  If in doubt, call the servicing IG and get their take on what action is most appropriate.

Answer.  You should always get an acknowledgment from the IG that they have received your complaint.  This should occur with 5 days, if possible.  The manner in which you file the complaint has a lot to do with the acknowledgment.  If you deliver the complaint in person, the acknowledgment will be verbal.  If you fax, email or mail the complaint, you will most likely get a written acknowledgment.  If you file the complaint over the phone, acknowledgment of receipt will be over the phone as well.  After we get the complaint and do an initial analysis of the issues, we will contact you again as needed for clarification if we have questions or need additional information.  We also may use other methods to gather evidence and information to help us research your complaint.  Once we have a good idea of the issues and your concerns, we will conduct a complaint analysis to determine what resolution path is most suitable for your complaint.  There are five resolution paths available - ASSIST, REFER, TRANSFER, DISMISS, and INVESTIGATE. 

·        ASSIST is indicated when your complaint does not contain any recognizable wrong and the IG can help solve the problem with information or assistance.  For example, you have been having trouble getting an appointment at the clinic on base.  We would most likely provide you the phone number of the patient advocate and probably call them to let them know you are going  to call and why.  We will sometimes ASSIST even if there is a recognizable wrong when a specified channel for addressing the problem exists.  For example, your active duty ex-spouse is not paying child support as specified in your divorce decree.  We would try to get you to contact DFAS and work with them to set up garnishment of pay or put you in contact with his/her commander.  If you didn't want to follow our advice, we would take your complaint and actively process it, most likely, as a REFERRAL.

·        REFER.  If our analysis of your complaint indicates it can best be addressed by an agency or organization outside IG channels, the likely resolution path will be REFER.  This means we are formally sending your complaint to the referral organization and it is no longer an IG matter.  The referral organization should contact you to let you know they have your complaint.  In addition, they should let you know the results of their inquiry or action when complete.  If you don't hear anything from the referral agency in a reasonable amount of time, contact the IG and they should be able to determine the status for you.  An example of a referral might be where you file a complaint alleging your immediate supervisor abused their authority by making you work through lunch on a hot project but others in the office were allowed to go to lunch normally.  That issue would probably be referred to the next higher level of command so they could review the appropriateness of the supervisor's decision.  Almost any time a supervisor or commander uses their discretionary authority (they use their judgment to make a decision), complaints about that use of authority will almost always be referred to the next higher level of command.  Another example of a referral would be your complaint of racial discrimination in the work place.  If you present such an issue to the IG, it will be REFERRED to your servicing EO office since they are designated by regulations as the grievance channel for those types of issues.

·        TRANSFER.  Transfer simply means movement of your case from one IG office to another IG office in the Air Force.  If we need to send your case outside the Air Force, the action will most likely be a REFERRAL.  For an IG to examine and issue and decide the final resolution path, they need to have jurisdiction over the offending process or person.  As an example, let's say you just completed training at Keesler AFB and have moved on to your new assignment at Vance AFB.  When you arrive at Vance AFB, you learn that some of the training practices at Keesler may have violated training regulations.  You decide to file a complaint with the Vance AFB IG.  They will clarify things with you and analyze the complaint.  Since the offending processes and personnel are assigned to Keesler AFB, the Vance IG will TRANSFER the complaint to the IG at Keesler AFB.  Complaints are frequently transferred to a lower level IG if they have not been worked at that level previously.  Complaints are also transferred if there is a potential conflict of interest.  As an example, you have been eliminated from pilot training at Vance AFB and file an IG complaint with the Vance AFB IG alleging the elimination was not properly done.  Since the Wing Commander is the elimination authority and the Vance IG works directly for the Wing Commander, the Vance IG must TRANSFER the complaint to HQ AETC/IGQ to avoid a possible conflict of interest and ensure fair adjudication of your complaint.

·        DISMISS.  Complaints are normally dismissed when the IG analysis can find no credible evidence to support an allegation that a violation of law, policy, directive, or other governing standard occurred.  As an example, you file a complaint alleging it was unfair for you to receive a referral OPR.  We do a little digging and find out that you were convicted by court martial during the rating period.  That conviction is a mandatory entry on your OPR and that mandatory entry requires the report be referred.  Your complaint that the referral OPR was unfair will be DISMISSED as the people involved adhered to the governing directives.  Complaints can also be dismissed if they are not filed in a timely manner or if the complainant fails to provide sufficient information for us to proceed with an analysis of the complaint.

·        INVESTIGATE.  This is the least use of our resolution paths.  Only 1-2 percent of all IG complaints get investigated in the IG system.  IG investigations almost always involve REPRISAL or RESTRICTION as those are IG-only issues.  As we have previously mentioned, most other issues are better addressed through other channels.  This doesn't mean that the IG can't investigate other issues but the protected nature of IG records limits who can see the results of the investigation which makes it a less useful tool to commanders.  Essentially, if the complaint cannot be resolved with an ASSIST, REFER, TRANSFER, or DISMISS what we wind up with is credible allegations of wrongdoing that are suitable of IG action.  Here's the logic.  If no wrongdoing, we would ASSIST.  If complaint contains wrongdoing but belongs in a different channel, then we REFER.  If another IG should be doing the case, we TRANSFER.  If there is no wrong and an ASSIST is not appropriate, then we DISMISS.  All you are left with is INVSETIGATE.  If your complaint is investigated by the IG, you will be notified in writing of that decision.  You should get an update on the status of your case every 60 days or so until the case is finished.  Many IG investigations require multiple higher level reviews.  When your case moves up the ladder, you should be notified of that action as well.  Generally, you will be notified in writing of the investigation findings only after all required reviews are complete.  Most IG investigations are lengthy and will required 6 months to 2 years (in extreme cases) to complete.  For reprisal cases, you will receive a copy of the Report of Investigation (ROI) redacted in accordance with the FOIA along with your final response.  For all other IG investigations, you will NOT receive a copy of the ROI.  If you want additional information outside that provide in the final response to you, it must be obtained by filing a FOIA request with your installation FOIA manager.   The results of IG investigations can generally be appealed to the next higher level IG.  Appeal instructions should be included in the IG final response outlining the investigation results.

ANSWER.  Your rights as a complainant are spelled out in AF 90-301.  You have the right (in the Air Force) to:

·        File an IG complaint at any level without going through your supervisory or command chain

·        File a complaint with an IG without fear of reprisal

·        Request withdrawal of your complaint in writing; however, the IG may still examine the issues you presented at their discretion

·        Request the next higher level IG review your case within 90 days of receiving the lower level IG's final response.  Simply disagreeing with the findings or corrective action taken IS NOT sufficient reason for additional IG review.  You must request the additional review in writing and provide specific reasons why you believe the original IG actions or determinations were not valid or adequate.  You must provide additional information that justifies a higher level review.

·        File a complaint anonymously.  Anonymous complainants obviously will not receive a response.

·        Submit a complaint even if you are not the wronged party or are not affected by the alleged inappropriate conduct or violation of law, policy, procedure, or regulation.  In other words, you don't have to be the victim to file a complaint.  If you observe behavior you reasonable believe is wrong, you may file a complaint.  You also have the right to file a complaint on behalf of someone else (third party).

·        Receive an acknowledgement of any third party complaint you file.  You are NOT entitled to a response regarding the actions taken concerning alleged wrongs that don't directly affect you. 

·        Request whistleblower protection under 10 USC 1034 if you believe you have been reprised against for making or planning to make a protected communication.  See below under reprisal for more information.

ANSWER.  Your responsibilities as a complainant are spelled out in AF 90-301 as well.  You have the responsibility to:

·        Submit IG complaints within 60 days of learning of the alleged wrong

·        Cooperate with investigators by providing factual and relevant information regarding the issues and/or allegations unless exercising your Article 31or Fifth Amendment rights.  If you do not cooperate, the IG may dismiss the complaint if they have insufficient information to properly analyze the complaint.

·        Understand that IGs cannot delay command action or personnel actions.  Filing an IG complaint will not stop or prevent any actions.

·        Understand that IGs do not have the authority to place individuals on administrative hold or delay a command or personnel action.

ANSWER.  Reprisal for military members is defined by Title 10, United State Cold Section 1034.  We abbreviate this as 10 USC 1034.  Reprisal for Appropriated Fund civilian employees, Nonappropriated Fund employees, and DoD civilian contractors is governed by different law and must be handled outside the military IG system.  See Q8. 

In general, reprisal means that someone is threatened or punished in some form or fashion for blowing the whistle on what they believe to be wrongdoing or violations of law.  That's why the DoD Directive 7050.06 that governs military reprisal is called Military Whistleblower Protection.

·        FIRST, to have a credible allegation of reprisal, you must be preparing to make or have made a protected communication.  A protected communication is any communication to a member of Congress or an IG regardless of content.  A protected communication is also any communication that contains information the member 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, an abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, when the communication is made to:

o   A member of a DoD audit, inspection, investigation, or law enforcement organization

o   Any person or organization in the chain of command; or any other person or organization designated by regulation or administrative procedures to receive such communications (Examples:  EO can take MEO and EEO complaints; Safety can take safety complaints; Base Transportation can take vehicle abuse complaints)

·        SECOND, a threat of or an actual unfavorable personnel action (or withholding of a favorable personnel action) must occur AFTER the protected communication.  A personnel action is defined by DoD as any action taken on a member of the Armed Forces that affects, or has the potential to affect, that military member's current position or career.  Such actions include a promotion; a disciplinary or other corrective action; a transfer or reassignment; a performance evaluation; a decision on pay, benefits, awards, or training; and any other significant change in duties or responsibilities inconsistent with the military member's rank.

If you have a protected communication followed by an unfavorable personnel action (UPA), you have a credible complaint of reprisal and should contact your servicing IG.  If any of the pieces are missing or don't fit the definitions, you don't have a credible allegation of reprisal.  You can still contact the IG but 10 USC 1034 will not apply to your complaint.  Once you contact the IG with your credible allegations of reprisal, what happens next?

As with any complaint, the IG will gather evidence so they can analyze your reprisal allegations.  Before they do that, however, they will advise you in writing of our Whistleblower rights.  Essentially, there are two possible resolution paths for reprisal complaints.  They are either DISMISSED or they are INVESTIGATED.  Here's how that process works.

The IG has already established that you made a protected communication (PC) and that a UPA occurred after the PC, the next thing the IG will try to establish is that the responsible management officials (RMO) involved in the UPA knew about or suspected that you made a PC.  In other words, did the people who took, influenced, or approved the UPA know about or believe you made a PC.  This linkage is important because it ties the UPA to the PC.  If the evidence clearly shows the RMO did NOT have knowledge that you made a PC, the case will most likely be DISMISSED.  If the evidence indicates the RMO did or may have had knowledge or if the evidence in this area is unclear (benefit of the doubt goes to complainant), then the IG moves to the next step in the analysis.

Since the IG now has a PC followed by a UPA where the RMO had knowledge of the PC, the task at hand is to determine whether or not the UPA would have occurred if the PC had NOT occurred.  If the IG can establish with documentary evidence and witness interviews that the UPA was related to performance and not the PC, then the IG will DISMISS the case.  If the evidence, on the other hand, shows the RMO may have taken the UPA based on the fact you made a PC or if there is insufficient evidence to merit dismissal, then INVESTIGATION is warranted.  The goal of the investigation will be to determine if the preponderance of the evidence indicates the UPA occurred because of the PC.  If the evidence says YES, then the allegation is SUBSTANTIATED.  If the evidence says NO, then the allegation is NOT SUBSTANTIATED. 

ALL reprisal complaint analyses that recommend DISMISSAL and ALL IG INVESTIATIONS into allegations of reprisal must be approved by the IG, DoD Military Reprisal Investigations Office.  You will not be informed of the results of IG action on your reprisal complaint until IG, DoD has approved the case.  Your case will receive a review at each intermediate level on its way to IG, DoD.  For instance, if your reprisal case was worked by the installation IG, it might receive a quality review by the NAF/IG, an IG quality review and legal review at the MAJCOM level, and a quality review and additional legal review by SAF/IGQ at the Air Staff level.  Only after it has passed all required reviews, will it move to IG, DoD for approval.   Only after IG, DoD has approved the action will you get written notification of the results.  The IG does not determine what action will be taken against an RMO when an allegation of reprisal is substantiated.  That is the commander's duty and responsibility.  Likewise, the IG cannot correct any UPA taken in reprisal.  You will need to use the substantiated investigation findings to petition the appropriate agency for correction of the UPA.

ANSWER.  Essentially, no one can restrict a military member from making a protected communication (see Q12 and reprisal above).  This protection stems from the same 10 USC 1034 statute that provides whistleblower protection for military members.  For now, there is a difference in how IG, DoD views restriction and how the Air Force views restriction.  IG, DoD states that no one can restrict a military member from making PCs to a member of Congress or an IG.  The Air Force expands the pool of eligible PCs to all PCs (for example, reports of wrong to EO, Safety, your commander, etc.).  What does this mean to you?  Not much.  If you think you have a case of restriction, talk to the IG and let them figure it out.

Restriction is basically preventing or attempting to prevent military members from making a PC.  AFI 90-301 defines it as placing boundaries or barriers upon military members through the use of direct or indirect means that reduce PCs.  As an example, if your commander stands up during a Commander's Call as directs that no one can contact the IG unless they have tried to work the problem through the chain of command, that is a potentially restrictive act.

Restriction is handled in much the same manner as a reprisal case.  The IG will use a complaint analysis to see if the evidence indicates a restrictive act may have occurred.  If the evidence shows that it probably occurred and may have been restrictive, an IG INVESTIGATION is required.  If the IG has evidence that shows the alleged restrictive act didn't happen or happened differently than as presented by the complainant, the IG may DISMISS the complaint. 

As with reprisal, restriction cases must be reviewed and approved by IG, DoD.  Quality reviews and some legal reviews will be done at each intermediate headquarters level as the complaint moves up the chain.  Only after IG, DoD has approved the case will you be informed in writing of the results of the action.