Mission
The Office of the Inspector General (IG) at Fort Polk is a vital resource for all Soldiers, Civilians, and their Families. It functions as the Commanding General's direct line to the operational effectiveness and well-being of the entire command, providing continuous assessments of readiness, discipline, efficiency, and morale.
What the IG Can Do For You
The Inspector General's office is empowered to act as a fair and impartial fact-finder to resolve issues and enhance the readiness and warfighting capability of the force.
The four primary functions of the IG are:
Function | Description |
Assistance | Providing a confidential channel for individuals to request help with any Army-related issue or allegation. This can range from clarifying regulations to identifying the appropriate means of redress. |
Inspections | Conducting inspections to identify and resolve systemic issues. These inspections evaluate the effectiveness of policies and determine the root causes of noncompliance to recommend improvements.
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Investigations | Formally examining allegations of impropriety, violations of policy, mismanagement, or misconduct. The goal is to provide the commanding general with a sound basis for decisions and to protect the integrity of the command.
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Teaching and Training | Educating Soldiers, leaders, and civilians on Army policies, procedures, and systems. This is an integral part of all IG functions, aimed at preventing problems and improving overall operations. |
It is a protected right for any member of the Armed Forces to communicate with an Inspector General without fear of reprisal.
Leaders cannot deny a Soldier access to the IG.
What the IG Cannot Do
While the IG provides broad assistance, there are specific areas and issues that fall outside of its jurisdiction. These matters typically have their own established systems for resolution or redress.
The Inspector General does not:
- Intervene in criminal allegations, which are handled by the Military Police or CID.
- Get involved in issues with other means of redress, such as:
- Courts-Martial Actions and Non-judicial Punishment
- Performance Evaluations (OERs / NCOERs)
- Enlisted Reductions and Discharge proceedings
- Financial Liability Investigations (FLIPLs)
- Claims
- Provide legal reviews or opinions, which is a function of the Staff Judge Advocate (SJA).
- Make command policy or order a resolution; the IG can only advise and recommend actions to the commander.
- Go "off the record." Information provided to an IG is never off the record, though confidentiality is protected to the maximum extent possible.
- Release records without the appropriate level of authority.
Before Contacting the Inspector General
To ensure the most effective and timely resolution of your issue, please consider the following steps:
- Give Your Chain of Command a Chance: Many issues can be resolved quickly at the lowest possible level.
- Ensure You Have a Problem, Not a Peeve: The IG addresses violations of standards, not personal dislikes.
- Be Honest and Specific: Provide all the facts, supported by evidence, to allow for a thorough and impartial review. Knowingly providing false information is a punishable offense.
- Be Patient: Investigations and inquiries take time to ensure a fair and just outcome for all parties.
Soldiers, Family Members, and Civilians have the right to communicate with the Inspector General's Office without fear of unfavorable actions being taken against them. This protection is guaranteed by law.
Bottom Line:
Soldiers, Family Members, and Civilians have the right to make or prepare communications to the Inspector General’s Office protected by law without fear of unfavorable personnel action being taken, or threatened to be taken, or fear of favorable personnel action being withheld or threatened to be withheld.