Retaliation against military families who speak up about housing will meet with ‘swift action,’...

In the face of reports of retaliation against military families for coming forward about their concerns about living conditions in privatized housing, senators strongly warned that they will not tolerate such reprisals.

During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing Feb. 13 where military spouses testified, chairman Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., reminded privatized company officials and defense and service officials that the witnesses’ testimony and other communications with the committee are protected communication.

“Any form of reprisal or threat should be immediately reported to this committee and will be immediately referred to the DoD Inspector General for swift action,” Inhofe said.

“Make no mistake — I will take any report of reprisal on military families directly to the secretary and chief of that specific service.”