Perspectives

Who do you call? I'm sorry, but the answer is not Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson and Harold Ramis of Ghostbusters fame.

So who do you call when you have a concern? Well, it depends. The Installation Inspector General Office is called for various reasons - money problems, family problems, performance evaluation problems, marriage problems, and just about any other type of problem. I must admit, our staff is impressive, but there are others much more qualified to address most of your concerns.

Experience has taught me that your chain of command can address most of your concerns. For military members, your chain of command includes your squad leader, platoon sergeant, platoon leader, first sergeant, company commander, battalion command sergeant major and battalion commander. For civilian employees, your chain of command includes your rating official/supervisor and higher-level reviewer. So please, give your chain of command an opportunity to excel first before coming to your inspector general.

A hot topic in the inspector general community is family non-support. What many do not realize is that non-support is a command issue. So, please take non-support concerns to the Soldier's chain of command first, and in particular, to the Soldier's commander. Army regulation limits inspector general involvement in non-support cases, which include financial support of family members, child custody and visitation, paternity and related matters. In circumstances where the commander's response is not satisfactory or the commander has not responded to the complainant's initial request, come to your inspector general. We will connect families with the appropriate Army agencies or offices that can assist those who are in need of shelter, food, medical care, etc.

Who do you call when your concern is out of the lane of your chain of command or your concern is your chain of command? Again, the answer is, "It depends." For example, the Equal Opportunity Office normally works equal opportunity complaints, and your Safety Office works complaints involving hazardous work conditions. Many situations exist in which either law or regulation provides a remedy or means of redress. Soldiers and civilians must seek the prescribed redress or remedy before an inspector general can provide assistance. Once the complainant has used the available redress procedures, the inspector general can conduct a due-process review of the situation to determine if the complainant was afforded an opportunity for redress as provided by law or regulation.

Some common situations where specific redress, remedy, or appeals procedures are applicable include, but are not limited to, the following: civilian evaluations (including those under the National Security Personnel System), non-commissioned officer evaluation reports, officer evaluation reports, nonjudicial punishment, enlisted reduction, claims, relief for cause, financial liability investigations of property loss, and complaint that a Soldier or employee was wronged by the commanding officer.

When in doubt, contact your inspector general, who may offer assistance in formulating and routing the complaint.