DoD Hotline - Classified Complaints

About Classified Complaints and What to Report

You are currently on a DoD Unclassified Internet Site. The pages you are viewing only explain how to file classified complaints. DO NOT submit a classified complaint on this unclassified site. You must use the applicable classified Hotline web pages (see below) in order to submit a classified complaint.

The violations listed below should be reported to the DoD Hotline via secure means:

  • Breach of classified systems involving Special Access Programs (SAPs) - DOD recognizes three types of SAPs: Acquisition (AQ–SAP), Intelligence, (IN–SAP) and Operations and Support (OS–SAP).
  • Nuclear Surety
  • Unauthorized Disclosures of classified information
  • Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Act (ICWPA) - see below for more information
  • Security violations/compromise
  • Intelligence Oversight

How to File a SECRET Complaint

To submit complaints involving SECRET information, use the DoD Hotline pages on the Secure Internet Protocol Router Network (SIPRNET). The links below are not live links.  You cannot reach the SIPRNET from this unclassified site.

You may submit your complaint via the following methods:

(Preferred) SIPR Website:  https://www.dodig.smil.mil
                    SIPR Email:  Hotline@dodig.smil.mil

                    Mailing Address:    DoD Hotline
                                                      THE PENTAGON
                                                      WASHINGTON, D.C.  20301-1900

If you send SECRET information to the DoD Hotline by any means other than our SIPR Website or SIPR E-mail, FIRST read DoD Manual 5200.01, Volume 3, "DoD Information Security Program: Protection of Classified Information," February 24, 2012, Enclosure 4, paragraph 4, "Transmission of Secret Information."

Contact the DoD Hotline at 1-800-424-9098 (unsecured line) with questions or concerns involving this process. Speaking on a classified, secured line can be arranged.
 

How to File a TOP SECRET Complaint

To submit complaints involving TOP SECRET information, use the DoD Hotline pages on the Joint Worldwide Intelligence Communications System (JWICS), found at: http://www.dodig.ic.gov/hotline/index.html. This link is not live and will not work from unclassified systems.

You may also coordinate with your respective security office on courier options. TOP SECRET complaints cannot be sent via postal systems. You may contact the DoD Hotline at 1-800-424-9098 (unsecured line) to coordinate delivery. Speaking on a classified, secured line can be arranged.

Submit online form at: http://www.dodig.ic.gov/hotline/index.html
JWICS E-mail:  hotline@dodig.ic.gov
 

Intelligence Community Whistleblower Protection Act of 1998 (ICWPA) and How to File
 

Before filing a complaint under the ICWPA, we recommend you contact the DoD Hotline at (800) 424-9098 for advice on filing procedures and timelines.   This unclassified website cannot receive classified information.  Please use the applicable classified DoD Hotline web pages listed above to submit your complaint. 

The ICWPA provides a secure means for employees to report to Congress allegations regarding matters of national security, including classified information. It authorizes employees and contractors who intend to report to Congress a complaint or information of urgent concern, to report the complaint to the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, or the Inspector General of the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the National Security Agency, or the National Reconnaissance Office.  
 

Urgent Concern Defined: 

  • A serious or flagrant problem, abuse, violation of law or Executive order, or deficiency relating to the funding, administration, or operation of an intelligence activity of the Federal Government that is—
    • a matter of national security; and
    • not a difference of opinion concerning public policy matters; or
  • A false statement to Congress, or a willful withholding from Congress, on an issue of material fact relating to the funding, administration, or operation of an intelligence activity; or
  • An action, including a personnel action described in section 2302 (a)(2)(A) of Title 5, constituting reprisal or threat of reprisal prohibited under section 407 (c) of the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, in response to an employee’s reporting an urgent concern in accordance with this section.

Despite the title of the ICWPA, this statute does not grant whistleblower protections for intelligence community employees.  However, these employees are afforded whistleblower protections against reprisal for engaging in certain protected activities through other applicable federal antidiscrimination or whistleblower protection laws; for example, Presidential Policy Directive 19, Title 10, U.S.C. 1034, Title 10, U.S.C. 4701, or Title 5, U.S.C. 2302.
 

To submit an ICWPA complaint of urgent concern to the:

  • Inspector General of Department of Defense: You must be a civilian or contractor employee of the Defense Intelligence Agency, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the National Reconnaissance Office, or the National Security Agency who intends to report to Congress a complaint or information with respect to an urgent concern. You may report the complaint or information to the Inspector General of the Department of Defense (or the IG of DIA, NGA, NRO, or NSA).
  • Inspector General of Intelligence Community:   You must be an employee of an element of the intelligence community, an employee assigned or detailed to an element of the intelligence community, or an employee of a contractor to the intelligence community, who intends to report to Congress a complaint or information with respect to an urgent concern.  You may report the complaint or information to the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community.  

 

Reference:  5 U.S.C. § 416: https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid%3AUSC-prelim-title5-chapter4&edition=prelim