Assistant Inspector General, Richard G. “Nick” Arntson

Nick Arntson began work for the Department of State Office of the Inspector General as the Assistant Inspector General for the Middle East Region in October 2007.  Before entering his present assignment, Mr. Arntson served the Chief of Staff for the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction from September 2005 to September 2007. Prior to this assignment he was the Deputy Chief of Staff for the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction from October 2004 to September 2005.

Nick Arntson was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Army in 1975 and completed 29 years of active service. Assigned initially to Armored Force Reconnaissance, after commissioning he served worldwide with the US Army, most notably on the Korean DMZ, Germany including numerous rotations to the former East German DMZ, and Kuwait.  His numerous operational assignments included tours as Commanding Officer, Executive Officer, Operations Officer, and Plans Officer. He participated in DESERT SHIELD/DESERT STORM, Somalia, and the Balkans crises of the 1990's. He had three separate Inspector General assignments during his career both in operational units, and with the Department of Defense and Department of the Army. 

His numerous personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, and Joint Expeditionary Force medal.

A native of Montana, Nick received his bachelor's degree from the University of Montana, his Master's Degree from Troy University, and an Ed.S. Degree from Rutgers University.