WHO MAY FILE AIR FORCE IG COMPLAINTS?
If you have a concern and are unsure if you should file a complaint, contact your local IG office for guidance. Any Air Force military or civilian member may file an IG complaint. However, many Department of the Air Force civilian complaints (e.g., discrimination, sexual harassment, and conditions of employment) must be addressed by agencies other than the IG. Anyone, including civilians with no Air Force affiliation, may file Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (FWA) complaints. Depending on the circumstances, the IG may also accept complaints from dependents or relatives of active duty members and retirees and their dependents. However, it is always best for the actual "victim" or person who witnessed the alleged wrongdoing to file the complaint.
WHAT TYPES OF COMPLAINTS ARE APPROPRIATE?
Any FWA and violations of law, Air Force instructions, or policy should be reported through the appropriate grievance channels. The subject of your complaint must be an Air Force program or person. Bear in mind, however, 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 a reportable matter, contact your local IG office for guidance.
WHEN ARE IG COMPLAINTS APPROPRIATE?
Individuals should attempt to resolve FWA issues and personal complaints at the lowest possible level, using command channels before elevating them to the next higher level or to the IG. Further, complaints must be promptly filed within IG, command, or other grievance channels. IG's may dismiss a complaint if there is no FWA, recognizable wrong or violation of law, regulation, or policy. Also, complaints more than one year from date of occurrence will normally be dismissed, unless there are extraordinary circumstances or special Air Force interests to justify an investigation.
WHERE (I.E., WITH WHOM) SHOULD COMPLAINTS BE FILED?
Complaints may be filed with a superior or commander in your chain of command, an IG or other appropriate inspector, or within any established grievance channel. FWA complaints may be reported to the Air Force Audit Agency (AFAA), Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI), security forces, or other proper authorities. Promptly advise the AFOSI of suspected criminal misconduct or fraud.
WHAT TYPES OF COMPLAINTS ARE NOT IG APPROPRIATE?
The following issues and allegations are ordinarily not appropriate for USAF IG intervention (this list is not all inclusive):
- Issues NOT related to the Air Force
- Criminal allegations
- Issues that have other means of redress (i.e. Chain-of-Command)
- Courts-martial actions
- Non-judicial punishment
- Discharge issues
- Officer Performance Reports
- Enlisted Performance Reports
- Force shaping issues
- Pay/Financial issues
- Personnel issues
- Equal Opportunity issues
- Civilian allegations of reprisal or restriction