Posted on Feb 16, 2016
If you found out your Leader or Immediate Supervisor was doing something against the law, like fraud, what would you do?
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RP Members this is one of those questions that got lost back in 2016 that is still a great question.
What would you do about this situation? Would you turn them in or comfront them first?
Would you have rights if you were a "whistleblower" against your immeidate supervisor or leader?
How many have been faced with this situation and can you share your story with the rest of the RP Group (no names please)?
What would you do about this situation? Would you turn them in or comfront them first?
Would you have rights if you were a "whistleblower" against your immeidate supervisor or leader?
How many have been faced with this situation and can you share your story with the rest of the RP Group (no names please)?
Fraud
What Would You Do
Toxic Leadership
Rights
Ethics
Edited 5 y ago
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 416
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I’ve seen it a couple times in my career. From stealing, playing with numbers, sexual harassment, etc. I never went looking for it. Stayed away from those who gave me that feeling. But I always said something or called them out when it became evident. Not always/usually in the best way.
If I knew then what I know now as an IG.
If I knew then what I know now as an IG.
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SFC Chuck Martinez
I have seen it all, from LTCs, Capts, Lts, NCOs and enlisted go to Ft. Leavenworth which used to be called the Castle. At Ft. Benning, Schofield Barracks, HI, and other bases. A lot of behavior that’s legal, or at least acceptable in the civilian world, is a criminal offense in the military. My Battalion Cdr in Hawaii, a Cpt, and a Major were relieved from duty and just disappeared. In Ft Benning, GA an LTC, and other officers and NCO were also arrested but they try to keep it silent. NCOs and enlisted were also charged with the use of drugs during the early 80s at Ft. Bragg, all got article 15s and a dishonorably discharged. One was a very close friend of mine, SSG with 12 years of service. There are a lot of skeletons in all branches of service. I personally knew some of these military personnel and it was very troubling. Why would anybody, especially a career soldier put their job in jeopardy???
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LTC (Join to see)
SFC Chuck Martinez By doing the wrong thing or reporting the wrong doing? Both can jeopardize a career. Doing the wrong doing is just stupid, but I will guess it wasn’t their first time. They just finally got overly confident and caught. For reporting it or saying something, knowing that too can ruin your career, is a righteous risk and bravery. It’s scary and hurts to report a friend or brother/sister.
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First and foremost its imperative to ensure you have concrete evidence to substantiate your claim and then do some cost analysis to determine the consequences. Sometimes we rush to judgement, in spite of what we think about people their character is who they really are. The character of a person is who they are when they THINK no one is watching
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Being a Master at Arms in hte Navy it would be my duty to report it to my chain of command. The COC would then decided which legal action would be taken.
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Yeah, did that several times at different commands. That's a big reason why I retired at 20 as an 0-4. But I was so ready to go. Navy slogan is courage, honor, commitment. But honor, not so much.
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I would do a serious gut check on myself and really really look hard at the other side of the story. It’s a hard decision, if it’s illegal you must report it or your complicit and not living up to the Army values, if it grey area or not exactly as you anticipated, can seriously come back to harm you (don’t believe any whistle blower protection BS). I would run it by Legal and ask, I would use any channel that would not get back to them for a SME in that area. I would also submit any allegation in memorandum format stating you are making the complaint using whistle blower protection. This is what the fraud, waste, and abuse hotline is for
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As in the civilian world, the reporting of crimes must be made to the police, in this case the Military Police. It is not only unwise but dangerous to confront any criminal, especially an immediate supervisor. All crimes should be reported to law enforcement! The very foundation of being a Soldier, Marine, Sailor, Airman, or Coastguardsman is honesty. If our military ever is corrupted, our entire nation state will be destroyed. Best wishes, Larry Dandridge, Ex-AL and MO Police Officer and Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Consultant (and ex-enlisted Infantry, ex-Warrant Snake Driver, and retired LTC)
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Unless there has been a change to the UCMJ and/or the oath taken by all uniform personnel in the last 20 years, the report of activities/actions suspected of being violations of applicable laws and regulations is the responsibility/duty of all personnel.
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There is no doubt in my mind that I would turn in any Supervisor who was doing this. It is the right thing to do and when I was selected as a Chief I realized exactly what was expected of me at ALL time and circumstances dictated. Now don't get me wrong, like almost everyone with any morals in his/her upbringing I knew the differences between right and wrong but this was a time it was very clearly laid out! As I assumed duties as the Command Master Chief, not only was I required to make sure the troops were taken card or but I was also required to make sure the CO was doing his job as well.
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I know I'm sensitive to this, so my response is opinionated, but heres what it boils down to:
Integrity is doing the right and honest thing even when you dont believe others will know, and especially when others will.
You absolutley need to tell someone. Use the chain of command. Dont tell others so no one gets tipped off. I know investigations, so do the right thing. The more serious the issue, the tougher it will be, but you MUST do the right thing.
Integrity is doing the right and honest thing even when you dont believe others will know, and especially when others will.
You absolutley need to tell someone. Use the chain of command. Dont tell others so no one gets tipped off. I know investigations, so do the right thing. The more serious the issue, the tougher it will be, but you MUST do the right thing.
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Early in my career, I would have stayed quiet. Later, when I no longer had any Fs to give, I would and did report it. Sadly, I often paid for it later. But I could at least sleep with a clear conscience.
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