The DoDIG’s Unambiguous Message to You: Change Will Not Be Coming From Within

Last week, the Walk the Talk Foundation, alongside representatives from the Government Accountability Project (GAP), Project on Government Oversight (POGO) and Whistleblowers of America (WoA) met with the DoDIG HON. Storch and several SESs from within the Office of Inspector General.  WTF’s Chief Operations Officer and Lead Advisor Francesca Graham briefed the panel on the Foundation's report on the failure of the DoDIG system and the resultant impacts that are having on the military.  (The report can be downloaded here)

Among the themes that surfaced from the meeting, the most salient is this: Storch et al. are convinced that the DoDIG system, especially the Whistleblower protection mechanisms in place, are healthily running systems offering the full protections of the law to whistleblowers in our military.  A supposition we, of course, wholeheartedly disagree with.

Other themes of interest discussed were:

— The DoDIG was adamant that “Service IGs do not work for him [Storch].”  A dubious statement and curious attempt to distance himself from other IGs because those Service IGs most decidedly “work for him.”  In fact, every Whistleblower Reprisal Investigation (WRI) report, whoever the investigating authority, must be approved by the DoDIG.  Therefore, Service IGs, in many regards, do in fact work for the DoDIG.

— The head of the DoD’s WRI program touted the success of the program lauding the vast number of whistleblowers who have enjoyed protections throughout the years after coming forward.  This is another statement incongruous with the facts at hand.  The last report, published by the DoDIG itself, cited that less than 3% of WRI complaints are substantiated.  And this statistic does not even account for those cases dismissed prior to investigation.  How is it then, that “so many” enjoy the protections of the law when almost 100% of them are told by that very DoDIG that their complaints are not valid?

— When asked by a member of the panel if he would take his suggestions on how his programs could be improved to Congress for future legislation, Storch stated that was not his role.  Again, this is not a statement made based in fact.  On the contrary, the Inspector General Act of 1978 states exactly that: that the Inspector General’s role is to advise the legislature on policy.  This again reemphasized to us that the DoDIG system is plenty content remaining as it is in the eyes of many: ineffective and untrustworthy.

Summary

Friends and allies of reform, if it was not painfully obvious before, these two facts should be clear now:

1.  The DoDIG exists (just as the DoD does) for the continued survival and existence of itself, first and foremost.  The mission, in this case ensuring individuals are afforded rights and due process, comes in at a very distant second.

2.  Change of the system is not going to come from within the system.  Other avenues must continue to be explored with full vigor.  This is why we continue to pursue reform on The Hill.  

Keep signing and sharing!

Thank you for your support,
Ryan

Photo above: from L to R - Joe Spielbereger (POGO), Francesca Graham (WTF), and Tom Devine (GAP)