Who can I turn to? The IG.

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Paul Dorcey
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Inspector General
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  The name Inspector General often invokes images of Operational Readiness Inspections and inspection teams. However, at the installation level, our job is to focus on complaint resolution and manage the Fraud, Waste and Abuse program. The first responsibility is to manage a successful complaint resolution program enhances the organizations discipline, readiness and warfighting capability. In other words, we're here to help keep the mission moving forward without professional and personal conflicts or bureaucratic hindrance. We help the men and women of the 60th Air Mobility Wing stay focused on the mission.

If you have a complaint, before visiting the IG, you should ask yourself the following questions. Have I exhausted all means of resolving my issue? Has something been done illegally or against regulations or am I just offended? Have I given my chain of command the opportunity to fix my problem? Although it is your right to go directly to your IG, chances are your commander or first sergeant has already dealt with similar problems and are great sources of knowledge and experience.

Once we receive a complaint, we conduct a complaint analysis to determine a strategy. Some issues may be resolved on the spot; while others may take a little longer. Sometimes another agency is more appropriate to deal with your issue (usually your chain of command) and we will refer your complaint to that office. If the issue falls under another IG, or another command, we'll transfer your complaint to the appropriate IG. If it's determined no violation of a standard or procedure occurred, we'll dismiss the complaint and provide an explanation why. Many times we provide an IG assist by simply making phone calls, help gather information or get you started with certain processes. If your complaint leads to an IG investigation, depending on the issue, it may take two to six months before you're notified of the outcome.

The second responsibility of the installation IG is the FWA program. Keep in mind, Air Force military and civilian employees have a duty to promptly report FWA, gross mismanagement or misconduct through appropriate supervisory channels, to an IG or through an established grievance channel. FWA complaints may also be reported to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, Security Forces or other appropriate authority.
It is important that every Airman has a clear understanding of the IG's role, and most importantly, how it relates to accomplishing the mission. Our goal is to get you back to performing your duties and being an active member of our AMW. You are why we are here.

There are several ways to file a complaint with the IG, in person, by telephone at 424-2224, by letter or via email at 60AMWIG@travis.af.mil. You can also file a complaint anonymously; either way we'll work the issue with the same urgency. The only difference is we can't provide a reply for an anonymous complaint.