Gentle nudge from ‘eyes and ears’ solves problems

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Most of the time, processes run smoothly and Team Mildenhall members have few problems in their workplace or in other areas affecting their career; however, there may be occasions when an answer can't be found, and help is needed.

That's where the 100th Air Refueling Wing Inspector General's office steps in. They focus on complaints and resolutions, and are the "eyes and ears" of the base commander.

"If someone has gone through their chain of command to get a question or issue resolved, and their chain of command either didn't or couldn't help, they can come to us," said Lt. Col. Kent Peterson, 100th ARW Inspector General. "We're an extra part of that process to help get answers - usually we're their last hope."

The IG office deals with many different types of problems, from evaluation reports and pay issues to assignment issues, and anything in between.

"We help anybody who walks through our door or gets in touch with us," said Peterson. "You name it, and we've probably dealt with the problem. We step back and look where that complaint needs to go to, and get in touch with the relevant agencies or entities which can help."

He explained that detailed Air Force Instruction guidance helps them to decide how best to help someone with their situation. They also rely on networking with other IG offices across the Air Force.

"We're the 'nudge' for people," said the IG. "Things are usually being done, just sometimes not in a timely manner. Rarely do we bring a case to somewhere on base and they don't know what's going on."

The assistant IG agreed.

"People have usually tried every other avenue to resolve the problem before they come to us," said Tech. Sgt. David Stollings, 100th ARW IG assistant IG. "By helping the people that come to us, I've learned how well the [networking] system works. When we have to call other IG offices at different bases, we get a pretty quick response."

Once an individual arranges to meet with the IG, a case analysis is started. The IG interviews the complainant and gathers information, then decides if any Air Force Instructions or other rules or regulations are being broken, which are causing the problem.

"If an AFI is being broken, we immediately do a commander's referral," Peterson said. "If an individual is from squadron 'A,' we look at the guidance to see if the AFI is being broken within his or her squadron, and if it is, then we'll contact the squadron commander, to see if he's done anything about it."

Stollings said that nobody is allowed to restrict anyone from seeing the IG.

"Some supervisors tell their Airmen, 'You've got to go through your chain of command before going to see the IG' - but that's not [accurate]," he said. "Everyone has the right to see the IG without telling anyone above them - you cannot be punished or counseled for doing so."

However, the IG said that initially trying to resolve the issue within your chain of command is the preferred method of conflict resolution. But if that isn't possible, then the next step would be seeing the IG.

"If your commander doesn't know about the issue you're having, how can he fix it?" Stollings added.

Communications between the IG and their customers are all in confidence, but it is also protected communication, Peterson said. It isn't as stringent, for example, as confidentiality used by lawyers.

"It's still in-confidence where possible - if it helps the case, such as pay issues, then we have to give details. Otherwise, we don't give names, but just generalize details," Stollings said.

It's always good when the IG see the results of their intervention, and shows the system works.

"The IG at RAF Mildenhall was one of the most helpful agencies I've worked with in my 20 years with the Department of Defense," said Geoff Janes, 78th Air Base Wing, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., formerly stationed at RAF Mildenhall.

"When I was having problems getting my [permanent change of station] orders stateside, I spoke with the IG [at RAF Mildenhall] and within five hours of turning in my paperwork, I had orders in hand. They were very helpful and supportive," he said. "When you've exhausted all means to solve an issue at the lowest level and through your chain of command, the IG is the obvious next step."

For more information, call DSN 238-4444 or 01638-544444; or e-mail 100arw.ig@mildenhall.af.mil.