Department of Defense
DIRECTIVE
NUMBER 5500.19
May 24, 2004
Certified Current as of November 30, 2006
GC, DoD
SUBJECT: Cooperation with the United States Office of Special Counsel (OSC)
References: (a) DoD Directive 5500.19, "Cooperation With the Office of Special Counsel of the
Merit Systems Protection Board," December 6, 1985 (hereby canceled)
(b) Civil Service Reform Act of 1978," as amended, codified in scattered sections of
title 5, United States Code
(c) "Whistleblower Protection Act of 1989," as amended, codified in scattered
sections of title 5, United States Code
(d) Section 552 of title 5, United States Code, "The Freedom of Information Act"
(e) through (h), see enclosure 1
1. REISSUANCE AND PURPOSE
This Directive reissues reference (a) to establish policy, assign responsibilities, and prescribe
guidance for cooperation with the United States Office of Special Counsel (OSC) in fulfilling the
responsibilities of the Special Counsel under references (b) and (c) to conduct investigations of
alleged prohibited personnel practices and to ensure the investigation of other allegations of
improper or illegal conduct referred to the Department of Defense by the OSC. This Directive
provides internal guidance to DoD officials, and does not establish an independent basis for any
person or organization to assert a right, benefit, or privilege.
2. APPLICABILITY AND SCOPE
2.1. This Directive applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), the Military
Departments, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of
the Inspector General, Department of Defense (IG, DoD), the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field
Activities, and all other organizational entities in the Department of Defense (hereafter referred
to collectively as "DoD Components").
