This book is an in-depth look at the experiences of the former head of the Pentagon’s Office of Inspector General—the most expansive IG organization in the world—from 2002-2005. The Handbook is designed not only for teaching and training professionals assigned to Offices of Inspector General throughout the US federal and state governments, but also for the benefit of government and corporate leaders who will need, sooner or later, to deal intelligently with an IG. “Important reading for every inspector general.”—DONALD RUMSFELD Secretary of Defense of the United States, 1975-1977 and 2001-2006 “Nobody knows the history, traditions, and functions of an Inspector General better than Joe Schmitz. The Inspector General Handbook is a practical guide for anyone working within an IG office who wants to serve in a constitutionally sound role as part of the leadership team. The IG in any organization should detect organizational performance problems early, and should enable rapid responses so that systemic problems can be addressed before they spread further or cause irreversible damage. This first-ever IG Handbook sheds light on an area of American government that is often misunderstood, frequently maligned, and yet indispensable to the functioning of our republic. This book is a ‘must read’ for all government leaders and for every lawyer who needs to know by what authority and for what purposes an Inspector General serves ‘We the People’ of these United States.” —JOHN ASHCROFT former U.S. Senator and Attorney General of the United States, 2001-2005 “The office of Inspector General can seem highly problematic, located within each executive department but reporting not only to the head of the department but also to Congress and, through Congress, to the public. Schmitz carefully examines the nature of the institution, and demystifies it while at the same time promoting respect for it. The Inspector General Handbook is a work of lasting value.” —MICHAEL B. MUKASEY Attorney General of the United States, 2007-2009, and U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York, 1988- 2006 “Joe Schmitz’ Handbook delivers a previously missing link in the understanding of post-9/11 law enforcement professionals who take an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Of all public sector professionals, Inspectors General should be transparent; the American People ought never to wonder why an IG does what he or she does. And with Joe’s Inspector General Handbook, that transparency is now achieved.” —LOUIS J. FREEH Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1993-2001 Joseph E. Schmitz served as Inspector General of the Department of Defense from April 2002 until September 2005; before that, while he was a Partner in the international law firm of Patton Boggs LLP, he served as Inspector General of the Naval Reserve Intelligence Command (as a Naval Reserve Captain). He is now CEO of Joseph E. Schmitz, PLLC, a veteran-owned small business law firm he founded in 2008, the core values of which are Integrity, Transparent Accountability, Disciplined Teamwork, and Independence. He graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy, and earned his J.D. degree from Stanford Law School. In 2013, Mr. Schmitz was inducted into the National Wrestling Hall of Fame (Virginia Chapter) as an "Outstanding American." He and his wife Mollie are the parents of eight children, and live in Bethesda, Maryland.