Inspector General &
Command Investigations

Each branch of the military maintains an Office of the Inspector General. Among the many functions of the offices is the conduct of investigations of allegations of fraud, waste, and abuse, as well as allegations of individual misconduct. A service member who is the subject or suspect in an IG investigation must exercise tremendous caution—adverse actions such as promotion delays and withdrawals, letters of reprimand, and referrals for involuntary separation may be consequences of IG investigations.

Experience demonstrates that IG investigators frequently do not adhere to the applicable federal laws and military regulations. There are many cases where investigators have adopted an adversarial approach, to the extent of engaging in what might best be described as "witch hunts." Many a good service member's career has been destroyed by an overzealous, improperly trained investigator, or an improperly conducted IG investigation.

The subject of an IG investigation should consult with qualified military or civilian counsel immediately after being notified of the existence of the investigation. Timely intervention is crucial to ensure that a service member understands his or her rights and that the investigator respects those rights. A suspect's eager cooperation with an investigator, in the belief that the investigator is a trained professional who will "do the right thing," can result in disaster.