About DoD Office of Inspector General

The Department of Defense Office of Inspector General was established in 1982. The mission of the DoD OIG, 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:

  • Conduct, supervise, monitor, and initiate audits, evaluations, and investigations relating to programs and operations of the Department of Defense.
  • 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.
  • 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.
     

Functions and Responsibilities

The Inspector General acts as the principal advisor to the Secretary of Defense in matters regarding DoD fraud, waste, and abuse. DoD OIG combats fraud, waste and abuse in the Department of Defense by conducting audits, investigations and evaluations. In addition, the Inspector General ensures the Secretary of Defense and the Congress are fully informed of problems in the Department.

Other responsibilities of DoD OIG 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 regarding its impact on economy and efficiency and the prevention and detection of fraud and abuse in the DoD.
  • Recommending policies for, and to conduct, supervise, or coordinate other activities to promote economy and efficiency in the administration of, or preventing and detecting fraud and abuse in DoD programs and operations.
  • Transmitting a Semiannual Report to the Congress that is available to the public.
    • DoD OIG 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, records, accounts, papers, and other data or documentary evidence necessary in the performance of the functions assigned to DoD OIG by the IG Act (IG Act 6.a.1). Additionally, DoD OIG has been given the authority to require by subpoena testimony from any witness who is not currently a federal employee (IG Act 8.i).