Consider the following:

• Allow your chain of command the first chance to resolve the matter.  Many problems can  be addressed via  the chain of command to obtain resolution.

• Please be prepared to provide clear and concise information.  There are penalties for knowingly providing false information.

• Keep in mind that our office can only recommend, not order a resolution. We will identify the facts; however, leadership has the responsibility to implement a resolution.

• Please be prepared to support your claim with facts. We can only resolve a case on the basis of fact.

The DMA OIG Hotline may not be used for matters normally addressed through other established grievance or appeal channels, unless there is evidence of mishandling of the issue or process.  If a policy, directive, or instruction provides a specific means of redress or appeal of a grievance, complainants must exhaust those procedures before filing a DMA OIG complaint.  Complainants must provide relevant evidence that the process was mishandled or handled prejudicially before DMA OIG channels will process a complaint of mishandling.  Mere dissatisfaction or disagreement with the outcome or findings of an alternative grievance or appeal process is not a sufficient basis to warrant a DMA OIG investigation.

If you have already filed a complaint with another office/agency concerning your issue and the investigation is ongoing, continue to pursue your complaint with that office until the investigation is completed.  We will not initiate an investigation into a complaint that is already being addressed using another process.

• Abuse of Authority (Title/Position)
• Safety/Public Health (substantial/specific danger)
• Misuse of Official Time
• Waste of Government Funds
• Time and Attendance Abuse (Significant Violations)
• Misuse of Government Vehicles
• Abuse of Government Travel Credit Cards
• Abuse of Government Purchase Cards
• Travel Fraud (TDY and TAD)

Certain matters may be better resolved through channels more appropriately than the DMA OIG Hotline.  The following are matters, but not limited to, not generally investigated:

• Criminal Allegations
• Courts-Martial Actions
• Non-Judicial Punishment
• Officer Evaluation Reports
• Non-Commissioned Officer Evaluation Reports
• Enlisted Reductions
• Type of Discharge Received
• Pending or Requested Discharge
• Complaints that a Commanding Officer has Wronged a Military Member
• Financial Liability of Property Loss
• Relief for Cause
• Adverse Information filed in Personnel Records (except for allegations of reprisal) 
• Non-DoD Related Complaints  
• Military Member Equal Opportunity complaints 
• Civilian Allegations of Reprisals 
• Pay and Allowance Matters
• Discrimination Complaints of Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Collective Bargaining Agreements 
• Appeals of Adverse Actions 
• Personnel Matters

Individuals requesting to provide information about fraud, waste, or mismanagement involving DMA should complete the Inspector General Action Request Form (DMA Form 20 November 2015).  You may download the DMA Form 20 and hand carry, email or fax to the Defense Media Activity Inspector General. Should you elect to file your complaint anonymously, note that it will be impossible for the DMA OIG to respond  back.  You may reveal your identity to the DMA OIG and request confidentiality.

Individuals are encouraged to provide:

• Relevant and specific details of the complaint, including the identity of the person(s), or organization alleged to have engaged in wrongdoing.
• A description of the allegation; the DMA facility and program affected by the alleged misconduct; how the individual is aware of the allegation, the identity of potential witnesses.
• The identity and location of supporting documentation.  

Download Inspector General Action Request PDF

Confidentiality for DMA federal employees is established by The Inspector General Act of 1978, which prevents the DMA OIG from disclosing the identity of a DMA federal employee who reports an allegation or provides information, without the employee’s consent, unless the DMA OIG determines that disclosure is unavoidable during the course of the investigation.  

• Confidentiality applies only to one’s identity, not to the information provided (i.e., the IG may, if necessary, share the facts and circumstances provided by the individual); 
• The identify may later consent to release their identity; 
• The identity may be disclosed to other OIG personnel, prosecutors and law enforcement agencies or may be disclosed pursuant to court order or Congressional committee request; 
• The identity will be included in OIG files, memoranda, records, etc.;
• The DMA OIG cannot control the extent to which other persons to whom they reported allegations or information will protect their identity;
• Given the nature of the information provided by the person, other individuals, including coworkers, subordinates, supervisors, etc., may deduce or infer the OIG’s source of the information; and,
• A request for confidentiality may preclude the DMA OIG from taking further action, if the information provided is of such a specific or personal nature that action could not be taken without the disclosure of identity (e.g., a person alleges retaliation).