ARMY DIR 2026-05 — Inspector General Administrative Investigations Oversight And Reform
ARMY DIR 2026-05 governs Army requirements for inspector general complaint processing, collateral personnel actions, and training.
- Publication number: ARMY DIR 2026-05
- Title: INSPECTOR GENERAL ADMINISTRATIVE INVESTIGATIONS OVERSIGHT AND REFORM
- Date: 03/16/2026
- Proponent: ASA (M&RA)
- Status: ACTIVE
View ARMY DIR 2026-05 on armypubs.army.mil
The directive establishes credibility assessments for misconduct complaints, including timelines, criteria for non-credible complaints, and procedures for referrals to command. It also sets requirements for command investigations, legal-advisor training, investigation status updates, and final command-product reviews.
Applies to: This directive applies to the Regular Army, U.S. Army National Guard/Army National Guard of the United States, and U.S. Army Reserve.
Topics covered
- Inspector general complaint processing
- Misconduct complaint credibility assessments
- Command administrative investigations
- Investigating officer training
- Investigation status updates
- Collateral personnel actions
Questions and answers
How quickly must IGs assess misconduct complaints?
IGs will conduct a credibility assessment of all complaints with allegations of misconduct within 7 duty days. (paragraph 2)
What makes an IG complaint a non-credible misconduct complaint?
Non-credible misconduct complaints include: (1) those not supported by credible evidence/information; (2) those filed more than 1 year after the alleged event that forms the basis of the complaint, unless new compelling evidence is presented; and (3) repeat/duplicate submissions with no new facts presented.
How long do commands have to complete investigations from an IG referral?
Commands must complete any preliminary inquiries/administrative investigations initiated pursuant to an IG command referral within 30 duty days.
How often must command investigations provide status updates?
During an ongoing command preliminary inquiry/administrative investigation pursuant to an IG command referral, the investigating organization, after consulting the supporting legal advisor, will provide a status update to the subject, the subjects commander, the complainant(s) (if known to the command), and the referring IG via individual email (that is, not to all recipients as a group) or via an individually addressed letter every 14 duty days. (paragraph 2)