AR 600-20, Army Command Policy - Army Publishing Directorate ...

Complaint
An allegation of unlawful discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, or sex.
Informal complaint
Allegations of unlawful discrimination or sexual harassment that do not require written documentation. These complaints
may be voiced to the offending party, to someone in a position of authority, or both. The intention is that the
offending behavior will cease with no further action required.
Formal complaint
Allegation of unlawful discrimination or sexual harassment that is submitted in writing to proper authority and
processed through official complaint channels.
Complainant
A member of the military who submits a complaint of unlawful discrimination.
Discrimination
Illegal, arbitrary treatment of a person or group based on race, color, national origin, religion, or sex.
EO
The right of all persons to participate in and benefit from programs and activities for which they are qualified. These
programs and activities will be free from social, personal, or institutional barriers that prevent people from rising to the
highest level of accountability possible. Persons will be evaluated only on individual merit, fitness, capability, and
potential, regardless of race, color, sex national origin, or religion, except as prescribed by statute, or other Service
policy.
Ethnic group
A segment of the population that possesses common characteristics and a cultural heritage based to some degree on:
faith or faiths; shared traditions, values or symbols; literature, folklore, or music; an internal sense of distinctiveness;
and/or an external perception of distinctiveness.
Ethnic and racial categories
The basic racial and ethnic categories for DOD reporting are defined as follows: American Indian or Alaskan Native-a
person having origins in the original peoples of North America; Asian or Pacific Islander-a person having origins in
any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, the Indian subcontinent, or the Pacific Islands (this area
includes China, India, Japan, Korea, the Philippine Islands, and Samoa); Black (not of Hispanic origin)—a person
having origins in any of the original peoples of Africa; Hispanic-a person having origins in any of the original peoples
of Mexico, Puerto Rico, Cuba, or Central or South America, or of other Spanish cultures, regardless of race; White (not
of Hispanic origin)—a person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, North Africa, or the Middle
East.
Legal sufficiency review
A review of an investigation into a discrimination complaint to determine whether the investigation complies with all
applicable legal and administrative requirements; the investigation adequately addresses the matters complained of; the
evidence supports the findings of the investigating officer or board; the conclusions and recommendations of the
investigating officer or board are consistent with the findings; and any errors or irregularities exist, and if so, their legal
effect.
National origin
An individual’s or ancestor’s place of origin. Also applies to a person who has the physical, cultural, or linguistic
characteristics of a national group.
Protected communication
A lawful communication to any member of the chain of command, a Member of Congress, an Inspector General or any
member of a DOD audit, inspection, or law enforcement organization, including any office or command official
designated to receive EO complaints from Service members, in which a military member makes a complaint or
discloses information that he or she reasonably believes evidences a violation of law or regulation, gross mismanagement,
a gross waste of funds, a gross abuse of authority, or a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety.
124 AR 600–20 18 March 2008