Office of the Inspector General- Things to Avoid

1. Restriction

According to AR 20-1, “A form of reprisal. 10USC 1034 prohibits anyone from restricting a member of the Armed Forces from making lawful communications to a Member of Congress or an Inspector General.”

2. Reprisal

According to AR 20-1, “The taking of (or threatening to take) an unfavorable personnel action or the withholding (or threatening to withhold) a favorable personnel action because the member made (or was thought to have made) a protected communication.”

3. Retaliation

According to AR 20-1, “Ostracism and acts of cruelty, oppression, or maltreatment.”

4. Fraud – Waste – Abuse

Fraud: According to AR 20-1, “Any intentional deception designed to deprive the United States unlawfully of something of value or to secure from the United States for an individual a benefit, privilege, allowance, or consideration to which he or she is not entitled.”

Waste:  According to AR 20-1, “The extravagant, careless, or needless expenditure of Government funds, or the consumption of Government property that results from deficient practices, systems, controls, or decisions. The term also includes improper practices not involving prosecutable fraud.”

Abuse:  According to AR 20-1, “Intentional misuse or improper us of Government resources. Examples include misuse of grade, position, or authority or misuse of resources such as tools, vehicles, or copying machines.”