The U.S. Office of Special Counsel's primary mission is to safeguard the merit system by protecting federal employees and applicants from prohibited personnel practices (PPPs), especially reprisal for whistleblowing. OSC also operates as a secure channel for federal employees to blow the whistle by disclosing wrongdoing. Federal law establishes a unique process for disclosures made to OSC, intended to protect the confidentiality of the whistleblower and ensure that the alleged wrongdoing is investigated and, where necessary, corrected. In addition, OSC enforces the Hatch Act, which puts certain restrictions on partisan political activity by government employees. It also protects the civilian employment and reemployment rights of military service members under USERRA.