Submit Inspector General issues or allegations in a timely manner. Waiting until the last minute to seek assistance may make it more difficult for the staff to address an issue. It is not required for an IG to look into an issue or allegation if the complainant does not bring it to IG attention within one year of becoming aware of the problem or if more than three years have transpired since the date of the problem or wrongdoing.
When it comes to taking care of issues in the military it is best to be proactive and not reactive. Everyone knows issues, problems and bad news does not get better with time. It is important to know when to seek assistance and who to talk to when an issue arises.
So many times, Soldiers come to the IG Office seeking assistance with an issue that could have been addressed by their chain of command. When the IG staff asks the Soldier if their chain of command is aware of the issue, often times the answer is “No.â€
This is surprising since the chain of command is the best tool a Soldier has for getting their issue resolved. They can point a Soldier in the right direction and even provide resources for the Soldier to use. Using the Chain of Command to resolve issues at the onset of the problems will generally cut the problem-solving time in half. Always give your chain of command the opportunity to assist with your issues first.
If for any reason someone gives their chain of command a reasonable amount of time to assist with an issue and it is still not resolved, an available option is to seek assistance from the IG Office. Ensure you provide all documents relating to the case. Everything the IG does is based on facts. When a person talks to an IG, they need to ensure their statements are as accurate and truthful as possible.
The IG is here to provide assistance when needed. Don’t wait until the last minute to get an issue resolved. Always remember to start with your chain of command.
Those with questions or concerns should contact the IG office, 533.1144.
