Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Nathaniel Moger | Army Sgt. Maj. Fatima Berry, Joint Task Force Guantanamo assistant inspector general,...... read more read more
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By Nathaniel Moger
Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs
GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba – Troopers rely on them when they want to resolve a problem without fear of reprisal or to solve a problem when they feel nobody else can or nobody else will listen. They help Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coastguardsmen with a multitude of issues. They hold focus groups to evaluate perceived leadership effectiveness and command climate. They educate to ensure standards are understood and followed.
They do all these things and more, but if you asked any one of them they'd tell you it all boiled down to one thing.
"We're the eyes, ears, and pretty much conscience for the JTF (Joint Task Force) Guantanamo commander," said Navy Cmdr. Richard Charles Boehm (SW), inspector general for Joint Task Force Guantanamo Bay. "We report directly to him. He uses us to his advantage to get a feel for the command climate and the readiness of the JTF."
In order to effectively run a task force thousands strong, Navy Rear Adm. Mark Buzby, commander of the JTF, needs to make sure people are trained and compliant in following the procedures put in place to provide for the safe and humane care and custody of detained enemy combatants. Making sure that people are doing what they are supposed to is the job of the inspector general's office.
The IG, composed of Boehm, Army Lt. Col. Philip Fry and Army Sgt. Maj. Fatima Berry, assist troopers in need, inspect units for procedural compliance, conduct investigations and inquiries and teach and train JTF personnel as needed to support inspections and day-to-day operations.
Given these responsibilities, it's easy to assume that the IG is feared and avoided for what they do. Boehm feels the exact opposite.
"A lot of people fear the IG, feel that we place blame or fault on people," said Boehm. "We don't get any points when we just point out faults. We only win when we find areas that need improvement and help make the improvement or give the advice needed to improve."
The IG assists troopers in many different areas: promotion issues, fraud, waste and abuse, leadership issues and pay issues. IG personnel are ready to help on any and all fronts. After all, to complain without fear of reprisal is the right of any trooper. However, the IG is not the first place to look.
"A lot of the issues we resolve could just as easily be resolved if people would only talk with each other instead of around each other" said Boehm. "It's best if people try to work things out within their chain of command before they come to us."
If a complaint or problem cannot be resolved through a trooper's immediate chain of command, then the IG uses its resources to help work the issue. If there is a complaint of a serious nature that involves one or more of the troopers, then the IG evaluates the complaint to see if it should be referred to the JTF staff judge advocate or other legal organization.
"Basically an investigative inquiry is a fact finding mission to determine if there's enough evidence to open up a formal investigation," explained Boehm. "It could come from someone walking into the office and making a complaint, it could be an email or it could even be an anonymous phone call."
The complaints can range from fraternization to adultery to allegations of fraud, waste and abuse. The IG does not, however, prompt investigations.
"We work directly for the admiral," said Boehm. "All investigations originate with him. We'll present facts and he'll decide which course of actions he wants to take."
The IG takes express pride in making sure of impartiality and that the accused is given full protection and consideration just as the individual making the complaint.
"We'll make no claims as to whether allegations are substantiated or unsubstantiated," said Boehm. "What we do is collect evidence, interview witnesses and present these facts to admiral Buzby. We're an impartial fact finder and nothing more."
The ultimate goal of the IG is to ensure that the JTF is working at its highest level. To do this, the IG works with the various directorates to ensure that Department of Defense, U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Army South, JTF and other standards are adhered to.
"We don't make the standard, we enforce the standard," said Berry, assistant IG. "We open the SOPs [standard operating procedures] or their documents and make sure they're adhering to the principles and standards they've established for themselves."
These spot checks make sure the machine is running smoothly and can survive even the most vigorous scrutiny.
"Our inspections are done to prepare for SOUTHCOM, USARSO and Department of the Army inspections," said Berry. "We've got their checklists and we'll go through it with each section to make sure they're ready. It's a rehearsal so to speak."
In the end, the IG is oversight in an ever-adapting workplace.
"The JTF has such a high rate of turnover, that there are always new people here that might need help," said Boehm. "It's our job to make sure they get the information they might need."
| Date Taken: | 04.25.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 05.02.2008 12:14 |
| Story ID: | 19041 |
| Location: | GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: | 312 |
| Downloads: | 252 |
This work, JTF Guantanamo IG Office: Keeping it Honest, by PO2 Nathaniel Moger, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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