About Us

The Department of Defense Inspector General was established in 1982. The mission of DoD IG; as established by the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, (5 U.S.C. Appendix); and implemented by DoD Directive 5106.01, "Inspector General of the Department of Defense," is to serve as an independent and objective office in DoD to:

a) conduct, supervise, monitor, and initiate audits, evaluations, and investigations relating to programs and operations of the Department of Defense,

b) provide leadership and coordination and recommend policies for activities designed to promote economy, efficiency, and effectiveness in the administration of, and to prevent and detect fraud and abuse in, such programs and operations,

c) provide a means for keeping the secretary of defense and the Congress fully and currently informed about problems and deficiencies relating to the administration of such programs and operations and the necessity for and progress of corrective action, and

d) promote national security by conducting objective and independent audits, investigations, and other activities to prevent, detect and rectify problems in DoD programs and operations, and to identify opportunities for improving efficiency.

Functions and Responsibilities

The inspector general acts as the principal advisor to the secretary of defense in matters of Department fraud, waste, and abuse.

DoD IG combats fraud, waste and abuse in the Department of Defense by conducting audits and investigations. In addition, the inspector general ensures that the secretary of defense and the Congress are fully informed of problems in the Department.

Other responsibilities of DoD IG include:

  • Providing policy direction for and to conduct, supervise, and coordinate audits and investigations relating to the programs and operations of the Department.
  • Reviewing existing and proposed legislation and regulations relating to programs and operations of the Department in regard to their impact on economy and efficiency and the prevention and detection of fraud and abuse in DoD.
  • Recommending policies for, and to conduct, supervise, or coordinate other activities for the purpose of promoting economy and efficiency in the administration of, or preventing and detecting fraud and abuse in DoD programs and operations.
  • Coordinating relationships with federal agencies, state and local government agencies and non-governmental entities in matters relating to promotion of economy and detection of fraud and abuse.
  • Transmitting a Semiannual Report to the Congress that is available to the public.

DoD IG is authorized "to have access to all records, reports, audits, reviews, documents, papers, recommendations, or other material available to [any DoD component] which relate to programs and operations [of the Department of Defense]." (IG Act 6.a.1).

The inspector general may issue subpoenas for the production of documents, reports, answers, records, accounts, papers, and other data or documentary evidence necessary in the performance of the functions assigned to DoD IG by the IG Act (IG Act 6.a.1). Additionally, DoD IG has been given the authority to require testimony from any witness who is not currently a federal employee (IG Act 8.i).