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DOD Directive 5106.04, Combatant Command Inspectors General, establishes the position of the Inspector General and the Office of the Inspector General in each combatant command.

Our Guiding Principles:

Problem solving -- our primary task

Right to seek help -- without fear of reprisal

Objective and unbiased -- we call it as we see it


AFRICOM IG Mission Statement
The Inspector General reports directly to the Commander, US Africa Command, serving to: Report on the state of efficiency, discipline, morale, training, and readiness throughout the command in support of the Commander's intent. Perform as a fair, impartial, and objective fact-finder and problem-solver. Assist the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, Civilians and their Families to quickly resolve issues of concern, impropriety or wrongdoing. Perform investigations, inspections, and assistance functions as directed by the Commander. Extend and advocate the IG concept throughout the command's area of responsibility.

Download the Inspector General Office Brochure

IG in Depth -- Hover for Detail
IG Confidentiality
IG Confidentiality: The IG has a duty to protect a complainant’s identity and other personal information to the maximum extent possible. The intent is to protect individual privacy, maintain confidence in the IG system, and minimize the risk of reprisal. Inspectors general should not disclose a complainant’s or a witness’ identity without the complainant’s/witness’ consent, unless the IG determines such disclosure is unavoidable during the course of the investigation or inquiry. The relationship between an IG and a complainant/witness is analogous to the doctor/patient relationship. Just as a doctor may disclose private health information to another medical expert during a consultation in order to help treat the patient, the IG may consult with relevant subject matter experts to help resolve a complainant’s problem

All requests for protection of the individual’s identity will be prominently documented and subsequent use of the person’s name will be minimized in any file or record created by the IG. The IG will refer to the person as a “complainant,” “witness,” or similar identifier instead of using the name to facilitate confidentiality.

While the need for confidentiality and the measures necessary to protect it will vary with the circumstances, the IG will always give this issue priority. It is important to remember that, while confidentiality is a priority with IGs, it cannot always be guaranteed. For the Africa Command IG, ultimately the IG works for the Commander, and the Commander owns and has access to all IG records.

Military Whistleblower Protection
Military Whistleblower Protection: DoD policy (DoDD 7050.06) on Military Whistleblower Protection provides that members of the Armed Forces shall be free to make a protected communication to a member of Congress and/or Inspector General. Service members shall be free from reprisal for making or preparing to make such a protected communication. No person may take, or threaten to take, an unfavorable personnel action, or withhold or threaten to withhold a favorable personnel action, in reprisal against a service member for making or preparing to make a protected communication. (Whistleblower protection for civilian personnel will be addressed soon in another web topic.)
Q. What is a whistleblower?
A. A member of the Armed Forces who makes or prepares to make a protected communication.
Q. What is a protected communication?
A. Any lawful communication in which a member of the Armed Forces communicates information that the member reasonably believes evidences a violation of law or regulation, including a law or regulation prohibiting sexual harassment or unlawful discrimination, gross mismanagement, a gross waste of funds or other resources, abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, when such communication is made to any of the following: a member of Congress; an IG; or member of a DoD audit, inspection, investigation, or law enforcement organization; or to any person in the chain of command.
Q. What is reprisal?
A. Taking or threatening to take an unfavorable personnel action, or withholding or threatening to withhold a favorable personnel action, for making or preparing to make a protected communication.
Q. What is restriction?
A. Preventing or attempting to prevent members of the Armed Forces from making or preparing to make lawful communications to members of Congress and/or an IG.
Complaints alleging reprisal must be submitted no more than 60 days after the date the member becomes aware of the personnel action that is the subject of the allegation. An IG receiving a reprisal complaint submitted more than 60 days after the member became aware of the personnel action at issue may consider the complaint based on compelling reasons for the delay in submission or the strength of the evidence submitted.

Use the following URL to learn more about Military Whistleblower Protection:
http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/705006p.pdf

Contact Information
Col Ronald B. Baldinger, Inspector General
Address	HQ U.S. Africa Command attn: Inspector General Unit 29951 APO, AE 09751
Phone	DSN: (314) 421-2682 Comm: +49 (0)0711 729-2682
Email	africom.ig@africom.mil

After-duty Emergency Assistance Requests
Please either email us at africom.ig@africom.mil or call the Dept of Defense IG Hotline at 1 (800) 424-9098
Dialing Instructions (DSN to commercial toll-free) Dial (809) 4-OFF DSN (809 463-3376) When you hear a second dial tone, dial your toll-free number including the "1"

To request assistance without fear of reprisal is the right of every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, Coastguardsman, Civilian, or Family Member seeking IG help.