Pennsylvania Inspector General
Who We Are
The Inspector General (IG) serves as an independent and impartial fact-finder, providing advice and oversight to The Adjutant General (TAG) and unit leadership. We are committed to ensuring the well-being and readiness of Pennsylvania National Guard Soldiers, Airmen, Civilians, and Family Members.
Our Mission
Our mission is to conduct inspections, investigations, and assistance activities to identify and resolve issues affecting the Pennsylvania National Guard. We operate under four core functions:
- Teach and Train: We educate and train leaders and Soldiers and Airmen on policies, procedures, and best practices.
- Assistance: We provide guidance and support to units and individuals on matters related to the IG.
- Inspections: We conduct inspections to assess unit readiness, compliance, and effectiveness.
- Inquiries/Investigations: We investigate issues and allegations of wrongdoing and provide recommendations for corrective action.
Our Goals
- Keep Commander’s Informed: We provide timely and accurate information on significant issues and concerns affecting the Pennsylvania National Guard.
- Open-door Policy: We maintain an open-door policy for all Service Members and their families, providing a safe and confidential space to report concerns, allegations, or request information and assistance.
- Develop Partnerships: We work with units, agencies, and other stakeholders to resolve concerns and improve processes.
- Find the Root Cause: We help commanders identify the underlying causes of noncompliance and work with them to implement corrective actions.
The IG-Commander Relationship
The IG works in partnership with commanders to identify and resolve issues. While the IG is independent and impartial, we recognize that we cannot fix problems alone. We work with commanders, staff sections, and other stakeholders to provide recommendations and support.
Confidentiality
We are committed to maintaining confidentiality when handling issues and sensitive information. While we strive to keep information confidential, there may be instances where disclosure is necessary to properly investigate and resolve a case. In such cases, we will make every effort to notify the complainant prior to disclosure.
Transparency
We are committed to transparency in our processes and findings. We will provide regular updates and feedback to units and individuals on the status of investigations and inspections.
Contact the IG
Before submitting an issue to the IG, it's essential to understand the IG process and what to expect. The following checklist and questions will help you determine if you have an IG-appropriate complaint and prepare you for the IG process.
IG Checklist
- Is it a problem or just a peeve?: Be sure you have a legitimate issue, not just a minor annoyance. For example, if the food in the dining facility is consistently bad, that's a problem. But if you just had one bad meal, it's probably not worth submitting a complaint.
- Have you given your chain of command a chance to solve the problem?: Many issues can be resolved by talking to your supervisor or chain of command. Make sure you've given them a chance to address the problem before submitting a complaint to the IG.
- Are you being honest and transparent?: It's essential to be truthful and provide accurate information when submitting a complaint. The IG will investigate and verify the facts, so be prepared to provide evidence to support your claim.
- Do you understand the IG's role?: The IG is not a policy-maker, and we can only recommend, not order, a resolution.
- Are you prepared to provide supporting documentation?: Keep accurate and detailed records of incidents, conversations, and correspondence related to your complaint. This will help the IG investigate and resolve your issue more efficiently.
- Are you patient and prepared for the process?: Investigations can take time, and the IG may have a heavy workload. Be prepared to wait and don't expect instant action on your request.
- Are you prepared for the results?: The IG may not always be able to resolve your issue in the way you want. Be prepared to accept the outcome and understand the reasons behind it.
Five Questions the IG Will Ask You
- What exactly do you want the IG to do for you?: Be clear and specific about what you're asking the IG to do. For example, are you asking them to investigate an incident, provide guidance on a policy, or help resolve a conflict?
- Have you given your chain of command an opportunity to address the problem?: Be prepared to provide details about who you spoke with and what their response was. This will help the IG understand what you've already done to try to resolve the issue.
- Do you have any supporting documentation?: Provide any relevant documents, such as emails, memos, or witness statements, that support your claim.
- Have you requested assistance from any other source or agency?: If you've already contacted another agency or organization for help, let the IG know. This will help them understand the scope of the issue and avoid duplicating efforts.
- What is your status?: M-day, AGR, Mil Tech, Civilian, Family Member, etc.
Request for Inspector General Action
Please fill out a Request for Inspector General Action and email to: ng.pa.paarng.list.staff-ig@army.mil. Along with the request, submit any supporting documentation that further substantiates the issue.
Inspector General Action Request - Army (DA Form 1559)
Inspector General Complaint – Air Guard (AF Form 102)