Ask the IG

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Jeffrey Jenkins
  • 90th Space Wing inspector general
F.E. Warren AFB, Wyo. --  What is "protected communication?" 

Protected communication is any lawful communication by a member of the armed forces to a member of Congress or an Inspector General office. Additionally, protected communication is any lawful communication by an armed forces member who believes a violation of law, regulation or policy has occurred to any member of a Department of Defense audit, inspection, investigation, law enforcement organization, military equal opportunity officials, family advocacy and commanders in the chain of command with authority to impose non-judicial punishment. 

The alleged violations must reveal gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, an abuse of authority or a substantial danger to public health or safety.
 
Everyone has the right to make a protected communication to the agencies above without the fear of retribution. Protected communications are confidential in nature and are privileged information. For more information about protected communications, call the 90th Space Wing IG office at 773-4800.

What matters are appropriate for the IG? 

Air Force Instruction 90-301, Inspector General Complaints Resolution, directs that the IG complaints resolution program may not be used for matters normally addressed through other established grievance channels such as the military and civilian equal opportunity offices, area defense counsel, military personnel and chain of command, unless there is evidence that those channels mishandled the matter or process. 

If a policy directive or instruction provides a specific means to address or appeal a grievance, those procedures must be exhausted before filing an IG complaint. When pursuing the IG complaints system, Airmen must provide relevant evidence that the process was mishandled or handled prejudicially before the IG can process a complaint of mishandling. 

In addition, the mere dissatisfaction or disagreement with the outcome or findings of an alternative grievance or appeal process is not a sufficient basis to warrant IG investigation. 

Table 2.9 of AFI 90-301 outlines agencies with established programs that handle matters not appropriate for the IG. The list is not all-inclusive. 

If Airmen are not sure which process to use or where to go to resolve a problem, the IG staff can assist. 

The 90th Space Wing IG points of contacts are Lt. Col. Jeffrey Jenkins and Sandra Hanway. For more information, call 773-4800 or 773-4807, The Warren IG office is located in Bldg. 250, room 153.