Handle Retaliation
Even when you take steps to mitigate unfavorable impacts associated with strategies for addressing counterproductive leadership, you may still experience retaliation. Refer to AD 2014-20 (Prohibition of Retaliation against Soldiers for Reporting a Criminal Offense) and AD 2015-16 (Command Engagement to Prevent Retaliation) for in-depth coverage of how to handle retaliation.
Military whistleblower reprisal involves taking or threatening to take an unfavorable personnel action, or withholding or threatening to withhold a favorable personnel action, for making, preparing to make, or being perceived as making or preparing to make a protected communication. If this occurs, address the behavior with the IG.
Ostracism is defined as excluding from social acceptance, privilege, or friendship a victim or other member of the Armed Forces because: (a) the individual reported a criminal offense, or (b) the individual was believed to have reported a criminal offense; and (c) the ostracism was motivated by the intent to discourage reporting of a criminal offense or otherwise to discourage the due administration of justice. If this occurs, consult the command’s Staff Judge Advocate (SJA).
Maltreatment consists of acts of cruelty or oppression committed against a victim, an alleged victim, or another member of the Armed Forces by peers or other persons because the individual reported a criminal offense or was believed to have reported a criminal offense. If this occurs, consult the command’s Staff Judge Advocate (SJA).