Posted on Dec 2, 2023
What might the path for Inspector General (in the USAR) be like?
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It has been recommended to me by more than one peer and mentor to pursue a position as a Command IG. I'm in my 50's now and I don't have a lot more things I'm going to be able to do before MRD, and IG seems more appetizing to me than an OC/T. I know the obvious thing would be to just simply call the # on the vacancy list for any given position (which I'll do), but if there are any USAR IG's out there with a story to share I'm all ears.
Inspector General
Command Inspector General
Army Reserve Elements
Posted 12 mo ago
Responses: 2
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I served as a detailed inspector general in two commands, CPT (Join to see). As COL Randall C. has mentioned, IG positions are nominative, meaning that you must be nominated (endorsed) by the commanding general. Assuming your packet goes forward to TIG, it will include EVERY OER you've ever received since your commissioning. That's why most detailed IGs come from within the command, in that they are a known individual. Ultimately, and from my perspective, approval of TIG is like the Army version of the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. Few know that, and even fewer care.
Training is conducted at Fort Belvoir and it's excellent. It's now a three week course although when I went, the course was only a week long. We were billeted at the Oakwood Apartments in Arlington, VA.
If you serve as a detailed IG, just know that you will quickly and quietly become a pariah. I can remember that when at chow, if my fellow IG and I sat down with some of our friends to eat, the conversation would become noticeably more quiet, and as people finished and left, no others would join and we'd ultimately be left alone. If we were sitting by ourselves first, no one would join us.
It's a tenured position in that usually the max time served in the position is three years (in the USAR). It's generally considered that this time limit is imposed to prevent supposed usurpation of power. However, my conclusion was that the Army recognized that IGs "see behind the curtain", and that detailed IGs see the worst of the worst in the Army routinely, and may become jaundiced to the various situations placed in front of them. The Army always seeks the root cause of the complaint, and I believe that it wishes the root cause to be systemic and that pushing a different button or changing an AR will rectify the situation. In my experience, the problem was almost always an individual soldier not doing his job properly.
Power usurpation is a paper tiger. The IG simply presents findings to the CG and the CG takes action...or not. Unless a finding is absolutely illegal, the CG does not have to do a thing. A wise CG usually acts IAW IG findings, but the CG may have other factors to consider when reaching a decision. I've actually seen our IG (O6) present findings to the CG, and then be dismissed with, "Thank you colonel, I'll take this under advisement." Nothing happened.
I know a lot of this sounds negative, but it's the job. However, I'm glad I served as a detailed IG. I learned a lot about what makes the Army tick that others simply will not have the chance to learn, and saw how the IG could help make the Army function more effectively and smoothly.
Training is conducted at Fort Belvoir and it's excellent. It's now a three week course although when I went, the course was only a week long. We were billeted at the Oakwood Apartments in Arlington, VA.
If you serve as a detailed IG, just know that you will quickly and quietly become a pariah. I can remember that when at chow, if my fellow IG and I sat down with some of our friends to eat, the conversation would become noticeably more quiet, and as people finished and left, no others would join and we'd ultimately be left alone. If we were sitting by ourselves first, no one would join us.
It's a tenured position in that usually the max time served in the position is three years (in the USAR). It's generally considered that this time limit is imposed to prevent supposed usurpation of power. However, my conclusion was that the Army recognized that IGs "see behind the curtain", and that detailed IGs see the worst of the worst in the Army routinely, and may become jaundiced to the various situations placed in front of them. The Army always seeks the root cause of the complaint, and I believe that it wishes the root cause to be systemic and that pushing a different button or changing an AR will rectify the situation. In my experience, the problem was almost always an individual soldier not doing his job properly.
Power usurpation is a paper tiger. The IG simply presents findings to the CG and the CG takes action...or not. Unless a finding is absolutely illegal, the CG does not have to do a thing. A wise CG usually acts IAW IG findings, but the CG may have other factors to consider when reaching a decision. I've actually seen our IG (O6) present findings to the CG, and then be dismissed with, "Thank you colonel, I'll take this under advisement." Nothing happened.
I know a lot of this sounds negative, but it's the job. However, I'm glad I served as a detailed IG. I learned a lot about what makes the Army tick that others simply will not have the chance to learn, and saw how the IG could help make the Army function more effectively and smoothly.
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CPT (Join to see)
This is most helpful. I'm glad I asked now. I'm currently tied to my current Branch and Slot in logistics (90A) as a function of a 3 year retention bonus (through Dec-2025). So it's valuable to know I need to maneuver myself in the right place at the right time.
I suspect, from where I am now I need to find a position in a billet that is floating around the GC staff to get that name recognition.
From what I read above, it sounds like a far fetched path to simply look up the vacancies and call the associated phone number about filing the role.
I have 8.5 years left till age 60. So it looks like perhaps maybe this is a path I try and purse by maneuvering myself and by age 55 I'll either make it or not, and by age 58 I'll move into my final retirement billet.
As for OER's I'm in the category of folks that get a top block every other year, and never been flagged.
Thanks again sir.
I suspect, from where I am now I need to find a position in a billet that is floating around the GC staff to get that name recognition.
From what I read above, it sounds like a far fetched path to simply look up the vacancies and call the associated phone number about filing the role.
I have 8.5 years left till age 60. So it looks like perhaps maybe this is a path I try and purse by maneuvering myself and by age 55 I'll either make it or not, and by age 58 I'll move into my final retirement billet.
As for OER's I'm in the category of folks that get a top block every other year, and never been flagged.
Thanks again sir.
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LTC Stephen C.
I thought I might add two additional items, CPT (Join to see). A detailed inspector general slot is just that. It's a detail and it does not require a change of branch. I don't know how that might affect your current slot, but you do not change branch.
Both commands in which I served as a detailed IG were two star commands and each IG shop was set up almost identically. The IG was an O6 and there were two deputy IGs, which were O4 slots.
COL Randall C.
Both commands in which I served as a detailed IG were two star commands and each IG shop was set up almost identically. The IG was an O6 and there were two deputy IGs, which were O4 slots.
COL Randall C.
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CPT (Join to see)
LTC Stephen C. - Roger that, but I was given $10K to stay another three years in a 90A slot. The IG billets are 01A slots so I suspect that will ruffle some feathers regarding the terms of my retention payment. I will have to check for clarity. 1) Do they care? 2) Will a move on a UMR to a 01A slot get noticed by the system. I trust it will as my self service portal has all these details (the terms of my retention payment and my billet) tied to my profile. 3) I don't think the system will STOP the transfer, but I think the system will notice, hey wait a minute you moved out of 90A, give the USAR the money back.
So the question is can I move billets and still have 90A as my primary Branch and still comply with the terms of the retention.
***** per the contract:
I will continue to serve in AOC/MOS 90A designated as a critical skill for a period of 3 years from the date that the written agreement is approved.
*****
I see vacancies for O5 and O4 AND O3 IG's.
The titles as annotated on the vacancy list vary:
Inspector General (IG)
Command Inspector General
#2 Inspector General
etc.....
Rank is not correlated with the specific title. I don't know exactly how the vacancy list works in terms of data upload. I do know that not all vacancies are posted, and not all vacancies are actually open. So it always takes validation.
So the question is can I move billets and still have 90A as my primary Branch and still comply with the terms of the retention.
***** per the contract:
I will continue to serve in AOC/MOS 90A designated as a critical skill for a period of 3 years from the date that the written agreement is approved.
*****
I see vacancies for O5 and O4 AND O3 IG's.
The titles as annotated on the vacancy list vary:
Inspector General (IG)
Command Inspector General
#2 Inspector General
etc.....
Rank is not correlated with the specific title. I don't know exactly how the vacancy list works in terms of data upload. I do know that not all vacancies are posted, and not all vacancies are actually open. So it always takes validation.
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The USAR IG has a SharePoint* site (CAC restricted) about becoming an IG, but bottom line is you can't just apply to a vacant spot, you have to be placed there. IG positions are nominative position and a potential IG has to be vetted and approved by the Army Inspector General's office before they can be assigned to a position.
For you (USAR TPU officer), the recommendation to be an IG would come through your career manager* or it would be a local recommendation (included in your application packet) from your unit senior leadership (CG) or Command's IG.
The one person that comes to mind if you want experiences of an IG from a USAR side is LTC Stephen C..
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* USAR IG Sharepoint - https://armyeitaas.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/USAR-USARC-IG/SitePages/How-to-become-an-IG.aspx
* https://ig.army.mil/Become-an-Army-IG/Join-the-Army-Inspector-General-Team/
* USAR Career manager - https://www.usar.army.mil/ARCG/ARCG-CMO/
For you (USAR TPU officer), the recommendation to be an IG would come through your career manager* or it would be a local recommendation (included in your application packet) from your unit senior leadership (CG) or Command's IG.
The one person that comes to mind if you want experiences of an IG from a USAR side is LTC Stephen C..
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* USAR IG Sharepoint - https://armyeitaas.sharepoint-mil.us/sites/USAR-USARC-IG/SitePages/How-to-become-an-IG.aspx
* https://ig.army.mil/Become-an-Army-IG/Join-the-Army-Inspector-General-Team/
* USAR Career manager - https://www.usar.army.mil/ARCG/ARCG-CMO/
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