Army observes 225th anniversary of Inspector General corps
by Michael Norris
WASHINGTON (Army News Service, May 9, 2003) -- An observance honoring the 225th anniversary of the Army Inspector General Office took place at the Pentagon May 5.
The observance was unique, because rather than recognizing the precise date the office was established, the anniversary fell on the date it's foremost proponent took charge.
The creation of the Army IG goes back to the American Revolution. According to an account by David A. Clary and Joseph W. A. Whitehorne, authors of "The Inspectors General of the United States Army, 1777-1903," the first evidence of on an IG-like oversight system occurred with the French Army in the late 17th century, when inspectors were put in charge of that army's infantry and cavalry units.
When the U.S. Continental Army was formed in 1775, it's rag-tag citizen-soldiers were undisciplined and disorganized. There were no set standards for training, appearance, drills or the organization and structure of units. Then Gen. George Washington was aware of the problem, and he watched from the sidelines as the Continental Congress sought solutions to the problem.
As Gen. Washington saw it, Clary and Whitehorne write, "The Inspector General would superintend the training of the entire Army in order to ensure troop proficiency and common tactics. He would be the commander's agent to ensure tactical efficiency and competency of the troops. The duties envisioned were those of a 'drill master general' or a 'muster- master general.'"
The office of Army inspector general was finally created by Congress on Dec. 13, 1777 and first led by Maj. Gen. Thomas Conway, an Irish soldier of fortune who resigned shortly after his appointment because of his failure to get along with Gen. Washington and other Army leaders.
Founding father Benjamin Franklin met Baron Friederich Wilhelm Augustus von Steuben, a former Prussian captain who had fought with Frederic the Great, on his travels in France and thought he might be the man for the job. Von Steuben had also fought as a mercenary for the armies of France, Austria and Baden.
Franklin brought von Steuben to America and presented him to the Continental Congress. There he burnished the captain's resume, claiming von Steuben was a lieutenant colonel so he would seem more seasoned and experienced.
With Gen. Washington's backing, von Steuben was offered the opportunity to serve as inspector general on a trial basis. Although he spoke virtually no English at first, he impressed his superiors with his organizational ability and was officially appointed inspector general on May 5, 1778 and given the rank of major general.
Despite the duties of annotating deficiencies in the Continental Army, Clary and Whitehorne relate that von Steuben overcame officers' resentment through his character and charm. As a result, he became known as the "father of the inspector general system."
It was a pivotal time in our nation's history, says Lt. Col. Robert Campbell, the executive officer of the Inspectors General Operations Division, explaining how von Steuben proved himself at Valley Forge. "We could have had a king or queen governing us at that time."
"Washington was thoroughly impressed," Campbell said. "He went to Congress and said, 'I want this man to be my IG - to be the eyes and ears of the commander in chief.'"
Up to that time, Campbell said, the model for the Army had been the British system, where officers and soldiers didn't train together, and soldiers were "used as servants to fight battles."
Von Steuben's legacy is responsible for instilling the discipline, methodology and better living conditions we have in the Army today, he said.
"The oversight process we have today is a result of Ben Franklin's recruiting the right guy, von Steuben, and Washington recognizing his abilities," Campbell continued.
He added that Washington's regard for the former Prussian captain was such that his final act as general was to thank von Steuben for his service to the country.
A display chronicling the above events is currently on view along the Pentagon's A Ring at the end of Corridor 9.
(Editor's note: Michael Norris writes for the Pentagram newspaper at Fort Myer, Va.)
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