Teammate Spotlight: Inspector General Member Conducts Assessments, Provides Assistance

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Illinois -- A career civil servant with 30+ years of service, Deborah Anthony been with the command eight years and has a background as budget analyst, financial analyst, and staff accountant.

In her position with the U.S. Transportation Command Office of the Inspector General (TCIG), she assists responsibilities for reporting on the state of the economy, efficiency, morale, training, and readiness throughout the command.

Per USTRANSCOM Instruction 90-9, Roles and Functions, these duties include handling DOD Hotline complaints, performing investigations and inspections, monitoring the Intelligence Oversight program, ensuring protected communication, reporting of Fraud Waste, and Abuse, and – primarily under Anthony’s realm -- coordination of all external assessments with the DOD Inspector General, Government Accountability Office, Air Force Audit Agency, and Army Audit Agency.

When audit notices arrive, Anthony determines the correct office to assist TCIG, gathers facts, and completes required reports within a typical deadline of five to 15 days.  When audit visits to the command are announced, she determines pertinent directors and subject matter experts, and tracks the audit through various stages until closed -- which can be as short as three months or up to two years in length.

The number of ongoing assessments varies, but Anthony’s current activity report has approximately 28 audits identified over the past 30-60 days.  These may be in the form of visits, drafts or finals.

Her favorite part of this job is representing the command during site visits here.  She loves meeting new people and knowing USTRANSCOM has a high level of professionals and transparency.  “Even when an audit doesn't represent us well, we remain firm, focused, and willing to improve,” said Anthony.

“I love my USTRANSCOM mission,” said Anthony, “but evenings/weekends find me redirecting energy toward my calling as founder and executive director of the non-profit organization Compassionate Outreach to the Metro East, Inc., also known as C.O.M.E.”

According to Anthony, the C.O.M.E. program provides restorative and transitional services to community members in need of assistance, using a holistic approach to wellness by providing emotional, mental, physical, spiritual, financial, educational, and referral services.

The idea for C.O.M.E. began in 2008 as Anthony participated in an interfaith prison ministry through her church, assisting prisoners nearing transition to civilian life with basic reentry needs such as housing, mentoring, employment, and social support.  The ministry’s goal is to reduce the rate of relapse for ex-offenders and restore them to the community as whole, productive persons.

In addition to helping these returning citizens and their families, she expanded the program to include homeless persons, military veterans, and persons in life transitions, and all their families.  After working out of her church for a few years, Anthony opened an office in East St. Louis in 2012, and today has a staff of 18 volunteers, including her spouse and children, along with members of area churches.

“We want to improve the lives of our clients as well as the communities in which they live,” said Anthony.  “Our mission is to empower individuals and transform lives.”

Thanks to Deb Anthony for her commitment and drive, both on and off duty!

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