About DoW Office of Inspector General*

The Department of War Office of Inspector General (DoW OIG) was established in 1982. The mission of the DoW OIG, as established by the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, (5 U.S.C. Chapter 4); 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 War in matters regarding DoW fraud, waste, and abuse. The DoW OIG combats fraud, waste and abuse in the Department of War by conducting audits, investigations and evaluations. In addition, the Inspector General ensures the Secretary of War, and the Congress are fully informed of problems in the Department.
 

Other responsibilities of the DoW 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 DoW.
• 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 DoW programs and operations.
• Transmitting a Semiannual Report to the Congress that is available to the public.

The DoW OIG is authorized to have timely access to all records, reports, audits, reviews, documents, papers, recommendations, or other material available to any DoW component which relate to the programs and operations of the Department of War.

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 DoW OIG by the IG Act.  Additionally, DoW OIG has been given the authority to require by subpoena testimony from any witness who is not currently a federal employee.

* Pursuant to Executive Order 14347, “Restoring the United States Department of War,” September 5, 2025, the Department of Defense Inspector General (DoD IG) and Office of Inspector General (DoD OIG) use the secondary titles of the Department of War Inspector General (DoW IG) and Office of Inspector General (DoW OIG), respectively. The use of these secondary titles does not in any way affect the primary statutory title or authorities of the DoD IG under The Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended (5 U.S.C. Chapter 4, Inspectors General), or the authorities or responsibilities of the DoD IG or DoD OIG pursuant to any laws, regulations, or policies.