A recent policy update to the Ombudsman Program Instruction, COMDTINST 1750.4F, now recognizes volunteer ombudsmen as official members of the command and require that each command have one.
All commanders, commanding officers and officers-in-charge, are now required to appoint, support and integrate an ombudsman as an essential member of their command team.
“The policy states that Ombudsman are an official member of the command staff, however they are not part of the chain of command,” said Chris Degraw, Ombudsman Program Manager. “This gives them more credibility with the unit and their families and highlights the importance of this program. They are requiring every command to have an ombudsman, ensuring representation for all families which is more beneficial for family members.”
The policy is a complete revision and can be viewed at this site. Additional policy changes have been made for both command and ombudsmen include:
- Requirements for reportable issues – If the Ombudsman becomes aware of a Sexual Assault, the Ombudsman shall, as soon as possible, report that information to the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) and intimate partner domestic violence shall immediately be conveyed to the nearest Family Advocacy Specialist. Both have different follow-on reporting to the command office.
- New training requirements – There are new regulations that require all ombudsmen to have specific mandatory training.
“This program is vital to fostering strong resilient connections between our commands and the families we serve,” Degraw added.
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