History of the Office of the Inspector General of the United States Army

The Office of the Inspector General of the United States Army is the agency tasked with investigating the U.S. Army. The position of Inspector General has existed since 1777, when Thomas Conway was appointed. During World War II, the department increased in size to the point that it had around 3,000 officers in 1945. The inspectorate decreased insize to about 2,000Officers in 1986.

About History of the Office of the Inspector General of the United States Army in brief

The Office of the Inspector General of the United States Army is the agency tasked with investigating the U.S. Army. The position of Inspector General has existed since 1777, when Thomas Conway was appointed. The office expanded greatly in the late 19th century after the American Civil War, undertaking increasing numbers of inspections. During World War II, the department increased in size to the point that it had around 3,000 officers in 1945. The inspectorate decreased insize to about 2,000Officers in 1986. The first modern military inspectors were French Army \”inspecteurs\”, first appointed in 1668. Frederick the Great of Prussia had appointed inspectors by the 1770s, as had the British Army. None of the European systems of inspecting worked well for the Continental Army, as it relied on an experienced, highly trained and well disciplined army. The British system of inspection was inadequate because it interfered with the chain of command; and the Prussian as it relies on uniform units and practices. The Massachusetts Bay Colony and Colony of Virginia both had militias with muster masters and muster master-generals respectively serving as inspectors. In the British system, officers were detailed to inspect various parts of the Army, and there was a separate inspector general of recruits and of the cavalry. Commanding officers were also responsible for inspecting their troops, but the detailing of officers meant that there was no formal bureaucracy dealing with inspection. The Continental Army was very disorganized from the start of the American Revolutionary War in 1775, and by 1777 the army was, in Washington’s opinion, in need of an inspector general.

On December 13, 1776, Congress established such a position, naming Thomas Conway as the first inspector general, with the rank and pay of colonel. At the time, the position was flattery in military terms that meant nothing in military Terms of Service. At least one inspector general had a personal dislike of the conflict and had come into conflict with him. The inspector general was appointed to the position of Military Coud-Baptiste Du-Coudi as Inspector General, but he resigned after Casimir Pulaski was promoted to Chief of Cavalry ahead of him. He was replaced by Lieutenant-Colonel Mottin de la Balme, who resigned after he was viewed as an inferior cavalry leader. The Inspector General was later appointed to Inspector General-Military Coudi-Du-Du as Inspector of Ordnance and Stores on August 11, 1777. On October 29, 1778, President George Washington appointed Thomas Conway to the post, who had been a personal friend of the Continental Congress. He had been appointed by President Washington, who disliked the conflict, and had a dislike of him with him as a personal acquaintance. In 1779, Congress requested the establishment of a position to inspect the magazines of provisions under the care of Commissary Wharton. On April 18, 1781, Congress asked for the position to be established, and it was established.