Hazing and Bullying

Bullying is any conduct whereby an INNG Soldier, Airman, Dual Status Technician, or Civilian, regardless of rank or position, intends to exclude or reject another employee through cruel, abusive, humiliating, oppressive, demeaning, or harmful behavior, which results in diminishing the other individual's dignity, position, or status. Without intervention, bullying will typically continue without any identifiable endpoint. Bullying may also include an abuse of authority. Bullying tactics include, but are not limited to, making threats, spreading rumors, social isolation, and attacking someone physically, verbally, or through the use of electronic media.

When authorized by the chain of command and not unnecessarily cruel, abusive, oppressive or harmful, the following activities do not constitute hazing or bullying:

• The physical and mental hardships associated with operational training.
• Administrative corrective measures, including verbal reprimands and a reasonable number of repetitions of authorized physical exercises.
• Extra military instruction or training for Soldiers or Airmen with the intent of improving hardships associated with performance.

Hazing or bullying is not limited to superior-subordinate relationships. Incidents may occur between peers or even, under certain circumstances, may involve actions directed towards senior military personnel, technicians, or civilians by those junior in rank or grade to them (for example, a training instructor hazing a student who is superior in rank). Hazing or bullying is prohibited in all cases, to include off duty or "unofficial" celebrations or unit functions, on or off post/base.

This policy is punitive in nature. INNG Soldiers, Airmen, Dual Status Technicians or Civilians who violate this policy may be subject to adverse administrative action and/or punishment per the UCMJ, as appropriate.

• Commanders and supervisors should seek the advice and counsel of their legal advisor, Staff Judge Advocate or the Labor Relations Specialist when taking actions pursuant to this policy.
• Commanders and supervisors at all levels will immediately report allegations of criminal behavior to law enforcement.
• All hazing or bullying allegations will be investigated appropriately and thoroughly.

Reporting to the Inspector General’s Office

Individuals may also report incidents of hazing or bullying to the appropriate Inspector General's (IG) office and these incidents may be investigated by that office or referred to the command or supervisor for investigation.

Regardless of the type of investigation conducted into allegations of hazing or bullying (law enforcement, IG, or administrative), all reports of hazing and bullying will be referred to and coordinated with the unit Equal Opportunity Advisor (EOA), Military Equal Opportunity (MEO), or State Equal Employment Manager (SEEM).

Further, if a Commander determines that an investigator needs appointed to examine credible, derogatory information which has been reported against a member who possesses a security clearance, Commanders will ensure the security manager records the alleged information into the appropriate record system. To facilitate this requirement, Army Commanders will ensure an incident report is submitted into JPAS (or a subsequent system) in accordance with AR 380-67. Air Commanders, through the servicing Information Protection Officer (IPO), will ensure an incident report is submitted into JPAS (or a subsequent system) in accordance with AFMAN 16-1405.

Training

IAW INNG Operational Readiness Guidance, AR 350-1, DODI 1020.03, and AR 600-20, Para. 4-19, Commanders will conduct annual training on anti-hazing and anti-bullying as part of the EO training requirements to promote a healthy unit climate.

Publish Policy

Commanders at all levels will publish a "Treatment of Person's Policy." Statements will be consistent with this policy, include the local command's commitment to prevention of hazing and bullying, and reaffirm that these behaviors will not be tolerated. The command policy will explain how and where to file complaints and will state that all complainants will be protected from acts or threats of reprisal.

Every member of the INNG is responsible for the following:

• Advising the supervisor, commander, or director of any incidents of hazing or bullying.
• Conducting themselves in accordance with this policy, the law and applicable regulations.
• Ensuring those who present their complaint to the supervisor, commander, director, or Inspector General do so without fear of intimidation, reprisal, or harassment.