All IGs extend the eyes, ears, voice, and conscience of their commanders and are responsible for advising these commanders on the state of their commands and for enhancing the command’s readiness and warfighting capability by performing the four IG functions (Assistance, Investigations, Inspections and Teaching and Training).

Assistance is the IG function that provides Soldiers, Family members, DA civilians, retirees, and contract employees the ability to seek help from the IG on matters affecting their health, welfare, and personal readiness. However, anyone may submit a complaint, allegation, or request for information or assistance to any Army IG concerning a matter of Army interest. The IG’s role, as the commander’s representative, is to resolve these issues within the limits of the IG system. An issue is a complaint, request for information, or request for assistance to the IG that does not identify someone by name as the violator of a standard. Someone identified by name with an impropriety results in an allegation. All complaints presented to an IG containing either issues or allegations (or both) are termed Inspector General Action Requests, or IGARs.

Several types of complaints are not appropriate for IG action, require minimal IG involvement, or are a combination of both of these factors. The IG will always advise complainants of the appropriate recipient for the complaint and normally allow the complainants to present the matter to that agency.