DOD DIRECTIVE 7050.6 PROHIBITS

Restricting a military member from making a protected communication to a Member of Congress; an Inspector General (IG) of a DoD Component; a member of a DoD audit, inspection, investigation or law enforcement organization; or any other person or organization (including any person or organization in the chain of command) designated under component regulations or other established administrative procedures to receive such communications;

Taking (or threatening to take) an unfavorable personnel action or withholding (or threatening to withhold) a favorable personnel action as reprisal for making or preparing a protected communication to a Member of Congress; an IG of a DoD component; a member of a DoD audit, inspection, investigation or law enforcement organization; or any other person or organization (including any other person or organization in the chain of command) designated under component regulations or other established administrative procedures to receive such communications.

Substantiated reprisal by a military member is punishable under Article 92 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, "Failure to Obey Order or Regulation." Substantiated reprisal by civilian employees is punishable under regulations governing civilian employees.