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Complaint resolution is 'job 1' for command IG offices

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Elaine Larson
  • Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AETCNS) --  An Airman is denied a retraining opportunity. The communication breakdown is resolved, and the member gets a class start date.

An Air Force member suspects fumes in base housing are making his pregnant wife ill, but the couple is denied an address change. The decision is overturned, and the new family moves into a different home.

A dependent spouse is denied base access for her children's medical care. Access is restored, and the medical care is provided.

All of these situations present challenging obstacles for Airmen to overcome on their own. But that's not the only thing these real life scenarios have in common. They were all resolved with help from the base Inspector General's office.

The main job for base IG offices is to handle personnel complaints and grievances, but they also monitor fraud, waste and abuse reports, as well as unit self-inspection programs and operational readiness inspections.

"Overall we work for the commander to inform him or her of any systemic problems, morale issues, or anything that might negatively impact the efficiency and effectiveness of the mission," said Col. Marcia Rossi, the inspector general for the 82nd Training Wing at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. "We wear the 'white hat.' Folks shouldn't be daunted because they hear the word 'IG.' At base level we're your IG office - we're here for you."

In fact, Colonel Rossi's team proved it is the best in the command at providing that support by being Air Education and Training Command's nomination to the John P. Flynn Inspector General Award competition. The Flynn Award recognizes the IG complaints and investigation program that provides the most outstanding service and significant contributions to the Air Force mission. Winners of the Flynn Award will be announced in May.

While all inspector general offices advocate Airmen following their chain of command to resolve issues, Colonel Rossi said that once they've exhausted those channels, and if they're dissatisfied with the answers they're getting - they should run, not walk, to the IG office.

"Under law, anybody is entitled to go to the IG. No Armed Forces member can be restricted from contacting their inspector general or their Congressmembers," she said. "And sometimes there's just nobody else to go to."

"Even if it's not an IG issue, come to us," the colonel said. "We can point you in the right direction - or point to the commanders to take care of it, if that's what is needed."

The 2005 IG team at Sheppard included Colonel Rossi, Col. Joe Brown, Col. Andy Cain, Senior Master Sgt. Glenn Kelleher, Master Sgt. Keith Standfield and Phylis Danielson. The office provides services to more than 114,000 military, civilian, retired and dependent personnel, acting as "the eyes, ears and conscience" for two wing commanders, seven group commanders and 28 squadron commanders, according to their Flynn Award nomination.