Army Inspector General visits Afghan Ministry of Defense

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN

01.24.2006

Courtesy Story

117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment (Hawaii)

By Army Sgt. Benjamin T. Donde
117th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

KABUL, Afghanistan " The Army Inspector General, Lt. Gen. Stanley E. Green, met with senior leaders of the Afghan Ministry of Defense here Thursday to speak about the importance of the Inspectors General Corps.

"The Inspectors General are here to support the chain of command," Green said. "We are to be the eyes, ears, voice and conscience of our commanders."

The mission of the IG is to be a fair and impartial fact finder and problem solver, said Army Lt. Col. Laurence J. Sefren, Combined Forces Command " Afghanistan IG.

The IGs identify and seek resolution to problems and issues that affect mission readiness and Soldier welfare.

Issues are analyzed and investigated to determine if there is a systemic problem and, if so, what the root cause is. Inspectors General then present the information to the responsible organization or leaders of the Army for resolution.

"Sometimes being an IG takes courage," Green said, "because we don't always have good news to tell."

Green commended the Afghan National Army on the inspections they had conducted to find problems throughout their service.

"We as the IG must hold accountable proper people to ensure that fairness of treatment occurs. That takes courage," Green said. "This is how the society that we serve will know that we are about doing the right thing."

The IG said it was a very humbling honor for him 'to speak with the Afghans and how much respect he has for them in the early history of their modern army," Green said.

While here, Green also met with Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and U.S. civilians with CFC-A, Office of Security Cooperation " Afghanistan and Task Force Phoenix to hear their concerns and get their perspective of living and working conditions.

Green said he will take any issues identified back to the Department of Army leaders for resolution.

• Date Taken: 01.24.2006
• Date Posted: 01.24.2006 12:37
• Story ID: 5189
• Location: KABUL, AF