Task force protects servicemembers, taxpayers

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Wes Carter
  • 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq --  It is no misnomer that servicemembers and Department of Defense civilians are paid by the taxpayers they are protecting. As a matter of fact, the money that funds day-to-day military operations is provided by taxpayers.

As military members are protecting the freedom of the individuals back home, they should also be mindful of protecting the money those individuals are providing. One way to do so is to stay away from the temptation of committing fraud or taking kickbacks for contracts.

In an effort to prevent fraud and contract corruption in deployed locations, a task force has been put in place to investigate suspected fraud and help servicemembers protect themselves, coworkers and taxpayers.

"Our primary job is to investigate possible fraud activity and to educate servicemembers on how to protect themselves," said Air Force Office of Special investigations Special Agent Whitney Traylor, an International Contract Corruption Task Force member. "It may be hard for some to believe, but we are here to help servicemembers. Our job is to disprove fraud as much as it is to prove it."

The task force uses preventative briefings to get the word out about the signs, consequences and ways servicemembers civilians serving in the deployed environment can protect themselves of being accused of fraud.

"It is always a good idea to have people around when you are making a money transaction with a contractor," said FBI Agent Alethea Harris, an ICCTF member. "Keep logs of the work you do, with justifications to why you did it."

Nine times out of ten these steps won't be necessary, but the possibility of the tenth time makes keeping notes a must.

"We followed a tip about an individual who had a questionable transaction history," Special Agent Traylor said. "When we spoke with him, he had an organized journal of every transaction he made, and why he made it - he protected himself."

The penalty for military members involved in taking bribes or committing contract fraud or larceny is no laughing matter.

The maximum penalty for larceny is a dishonorable discharge, reduction to E-1, a fine, forfeiture of all pay and allowances and confinement for ten years, according to Article 121 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.