You should generally start by submitting your complaint to your local Installation IG, who can provide guidance and determine if your complaint needs to be “elevated” to a higher level IG or placed in a different grievance channel. If you believe that commander is part of the problem, then submit your complaint to the IG of the next higher commander. Therefore, a good “rule of thumb” is to determine the lowest level commander (e.g., company/battalion commander, Numbered Air Force commander, or Major Command commander) who can “fix” the problem and submit your complaint to that commander’s IG. However, AR 20-1, and AFI 90-301, encourages service members to resolve complaints at the lowest level. You may submit your complaint to any IG at any level including the Inspector General, Department of Defense (IG, DoD). IGs may also dismiss a complaint if there is no recognizable wrong or violation of law, regulation, or policy. The IG may dismiss a complaint if, given the nature of the alleged wrong and the passage of time, there is reasonable probability that insufficient information can be gathered to make a determination, and/or no special California National Guard interest exist to justify investigating the matter. The IG system should be used when referral to the command chain would be futile or there is fear of reprisal. The immediate supervisory command chain can often resolve complaints more quickly and effectively than a higher level not familiar with the situation.
Complainants should attempt to resolve issues and personal complaints at the lowest level possible using command channels before addressing them to a higher level or to the IG. IG complaints not reported within one year may seriously impede the gathering of evidence and testimony.Īll military and civilian members have a duty to promptly report gross mismanagement a violation of law, policy, procedures, or regulations an injustice abuse of authority, inappropriate conduct, or misconduct and a deficiency or like condition, to an appropriate supervisor or commander, to an IG or other appropriate inspector, or through an established grievance channel. IG complaints not reported within one year will normally be dismissed unless the complainant is able to demonstrate he/she was unable to meet the time requirements due to unforeseen or extraordinary circumstances and such circumstances justify the delay. Complainants must submit IG complaints within one year of learning of the alleged wrong.
IGs may accept and refer complaints that exceed the above time requirements if the complaint is of special Air Force interest, or the complainant is able to demonstrate that he/she was unable to meet the time standards due to unforeseen or extraordinary circumstances, and such circumstances justify the delay. Any complaint over five years old requires the approval of The Inspector General of the Army.Īir Guard: Airmen must submit complaints to an IG within one year of learning of the alleged problem or wrongdoing. National Guard Bureau-Army and Department of the Army IGs may accept complaints submitted three to five years after the alleged problem or wrongdoing when extraordinary circumstances justify the complainant’s delay in reporting the allegation or issue-or in cases of special Army interest. Army Guard: Soldiers must submit complaints to an IG within one year of learning of the alleged problem or wrongdoing, or within three years since the date of the problem or wrongdoing.