Who May File IG Complaints?

IGs receive and process complaints, allegations or request for assistance from national guard soldiers, airmen, family members, federal employees, retirees, veterans, congressmen, private citizens from any source (including anonymous) regarding operations, organizations, functions, and personnel issues.

IGs research regulatory guidance to identify issues, allegations, and IG appropriateness. Complaints will be handled through assistance, inspections, and investigations or teaching and training when appropriate.

Any military or civilian member may file an IG complaint. However, many Department of the Army civilian complaints (e.g., discrimination, sexual harassment, and conditions of employment) must be addressed by agencies other than the IG (see Complaints not Appropriate). Anyone, including civilians with no military affiliation, may file Fraud, Waste, and Abuse disclosures. Depending on the circumstances, the IG may also accept complaints from dependents or relatives of National Guard members, active duty members and retirees and their dependents. However, it's always best for the actual "complainant" or person who witnessed the alleged wrongdoing to file the complaint. If you have a concern and are unsure if you should file a complaint, contact your local IG office for guidance.

What Types of Complaints are Appropriate for the IG System?

The following types of complaints are appropriate for the IG System:

§ Pay IDT, AT, Duty Without Orders, Bonuses

§ Personnel Actions Promotions, Discharges, Retirements, Orders, Delinquent OERs/NCOERs, Weight Control, APFT

§ Medical LOD, INCAP Pay, ADME, Medical Separation Boards

§ Command Management Family Care Plans, Sensing Sessions, Reprisal, Command Climate, Undue Command Influence, Preferential Treatment

§ Personal Conduct Non-Support, Fraternization, TDY Fraud, GSA Vehicle Usage, Living at Armories

• A violation of law, policy, procedures, or regulations (including laws or regulations prohibiting sexual harassment, unlawful discrimination, reprisal, and improper mental health evaluations)
• An injustice or abuse of authority
• Inappropriate conduct/misconduct
• A deficiency or like condition

Promptly report any of the above complaints through the appropriate grievance channels, including your chain of command, and the IG if necessary. The subject of your complaint must be involving a National Guard program or person. Bear in mind, however, the fact that you may disagree with your supervisor(s) over management styles or have what you believe is a "personality conflict" does not constitute an injustice or mismanagement. If you are not sure your concern is a reportable matter, contact your local IG office for guidance.

When Are IG Complaints Appropriate?

All 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. 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. The immediate supervisory command chain can often resolve complaints more quickly and effectively than a higher level not familiar with the situation. The IG system should be used when referral to the command chain would be futile or there is fear of reprisal. Complainants must submit IG complaints within 60 days of learning of the alleged wrong. IG complaints not reported within 60 days 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. IG complaints not reported within 60 days may seriously impede the gathering of evidence and testimony. 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 Georgia National Guard interest exist to justify investigating the matter.

IGs may also dismiss a complaint if there is no recognizable wrong or violation of law, regulation, or policy.

Where ("with Whom") Should IG Complaints be Filed?

You may submit your complaint to any IG at any level including the Inspector General, Department of Defense (IG, DoD). However, AR 20-1, Inspector General Activities and Procedures, encourages IGs to resolve complaints at the lowest level. 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. If you believe that commander is part of the problem, then submit your complaint to the IG of the next higher commander. 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.

To file a complaint with the Georgia National Guard Inspector General go to: How to Contact the IG:

The IG does not generally handle matters that have established grievance channels, appeal channels, or methods of redress (see Complaints not Appropriate). If a policy directive or instruction provides a specific means of appeal or redress of a grievance, you must exhaust those appeal procedures before submitting a complaint to an IG. Further, you must be able to allege that the process was mishandled or handled prejudicially before an IG will process a complaint of mishandling. Mere dissatisfaction with the outcome of an appeal is not sufficient basis for an IG investigation.

How Should IG Complaints be Filed?

You should provide factual and relevant information related to the issue or complaint, preferably by completing (and signing) DA Form 1559.Ispector General Action, However, if you do not have immediate access to DA Form 1559, you can simply prepare a letter and mail (or fax) it to the appropriate IG. Complaint letters should be signed, legible (preferably "typed"), and reproducible. They should include your rank/grade, name, organization assigned, home and duty addresses and phone numbers (commercial and DSN), and Social Security Number.