Inspector General Robert P. Storch announced today that the Department of Defense Office of Inspector General (DoD OIG) released the “Annual Report to Congress Pursuant to FY 2021 NDAA, Section 554.”
Section 554 directs the DoD OIG to report annually to Congress on findings and recommendations related to the effects of DoD policies, programs, systems, and processes for diversity and inclusion, as well as their effectiveness in preventing and responding to supremacist, extremist, and criminal gang activity of members of the Armed Forces. In conjunction with that mandate, the Office also reports on behalf of the Secretary of Defense to Congress regarding the DoD’s implementation of policies to address prohibited activities and statistics regarding reporting and investigation of prohibited activities by Armed Forces members.
“During the reporting period, the DoD reported advancing policies and programs for diversity management and addressing prohibited activities within the Armed Forces,” said IG Storch. “This year’s report identifies 20 oversight reports, with 183 recommendations for improvement, and also identifies 17 ongoing projects. Additionally, the report highlights the status of the DoD’s implementation of its policies and programs in these areas.”
The report found that from October 2023 through September 2024, 181 prohibited activity allegations were referred for investigation or inquiry. The report also describes how the Military Services have fulfilled section 554 reporting requirements and updated policies related to diversity management and prohibited activities. The Offices of the Army IG, the Naval IG, and the Air Force IG provided the information in the report for their respective Military Departments.