Notes from the Inspector General: 2026 IG Priorities: A Preview - By Col Joe Winter, CAP/IG
As we close out 2025 and look ahead to a new year, I want to offer both reflection and direction an honest look at where we are and a clear roadmap for where we are headed. The work each of you does at the wing, region, and national levels continues to strengthen our organization in tangible, measurable ways. I remain grateful for your professionalism and proud of the standard you uphold across Civil Air Patrol. With several regulatory updates including the recent publishing of CAPR 20-1, and CAPR 20-2, and the anticipated CAPR 20-3 2026 will be a year defined by alignment, consistency, and the cultural shift toward continuous compliance. Our charge as IGs is not to prepare for inspections; it is to help ensure a climate where compliance is lived every day, documented accurately, and communicated clearly. Below are the four priority areas all echelons should begin emphasizing now.
1. Continuous Compliance and the Future CAPR 20-3 Framework
The shift away from “event-based” inspections toward a continuous compliance model is the most significant transformation in our oversight program in over a decade. Wings should begin preparing their staffs now for: -Routine internal assessments -Documenting corrective actions as they occur -Demonstrating compliance readiness year-round -Using the inspection as a confirmation of ongoing work—not a starting point This culture shift will require education, communication, and partnership across staffs. IGs play a pivotal role in setting expectations early.
2. Strengthening Complaint Intake and Case Accuracy
CAPR 20-2 remains the foundation of our program, and the quality of our work starts with accurate intake. In 2025 we saw clear improvements, but also familiar challenges: -Incomplete initial information -Misrouted complaints -Over-handling at the unit level -Missed documentation -Delayed command notifications IGs should reinforce at every level the importance of proper complaint handling, accurate fact-gathering, and timely, professional communication. This protects all members involved and preserves the integrity of the program.
3. Elevating IG Education Across Wing Staffs
IGs are teachers as much as they are overseers. Every wing should be conducting regular training for commanders and staff on: -Complaint handling expectations -Roles and responsibilities under CAPR 20-2 -Identifying potential EO, CP, and safety crossovers -Ensuring accurate, professional documentation -Understanding their part in continuous compliance In 2026, we will place greater emphasis on IG-led staff education, ensuring that leadership at all levels understands the “why,” not just the “what.”
4. Building Bench Strength: NCRO/NCIO Development
Sustainable excellence requires depth. We continue to see a need for: -More trained National Complaint Resolution Officers -More investigators who can produce accurate, readable ROIs -More mentoring from experienced IGs -Standardized approaches across wings and regions As we develop future leaders within the IG program, you are critical to identifying talent early, coaching them, and modeling the professionalism expected of the corps.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Next year will be one of alignment, accountability, and optimization. We will continue refining our processes, enhancing accuracy in complaint resolution, and preparing the field for the new compliance model. Much of this work is already underway and that is because of you.
A Holiday Message of Gratitude
As we wrap up this holiday season, I want to express my sincere appreciation. The IG program succeeds only because of your integrity, your judgment, and your willingness to do the hard, quiet work that keeps CAP credible and mission-ready. Thank you for your continued professionalism and for the countless hours you devote to our members and our mission. I hope each of you enjoys a meaningful, restorative season surrounded by people who matter most. From my family to yours happy holidays and a very Happy New Year. I look forward to all we will accomplish together in 2026.
Semper Vigilans!
The CommandeRS Corner – Items of Command Interest
COMPLAINT CONFIDENTIALITY- By Col Preston Perrenot, CAP/IGQ
We’ve had some questions and issues regarding the maintenance of confidentiality in complaints and I’m going to take a shot at addressing the issue of confidentiality. First, why is it important? There are several reasons why we try to protect the identity of witnesses and complaints. First is the prevention of reprisal. The CAP is bound by the Federal Whistleblower Protection Act which protects people who have disclosed an incident or issue of wrongdoing, safety, etc. from retaliation for the disclosure. Obviously, not all our complaints are reprisal allegations, but they all have the potential to become reprisal so we err on the side of caution and treat them all as a potential reprisal case at the start. The second reason is our reputation. If we don’t take steps to try and protect confidentiality, people will be more reluctant to come and talk to us. If that happens, we might as well stay home. And third, some IG complaints have the potential to become cases in a criminal or civil court, so the protection of evidence is vital. Everybody that is going to be involved in a complaint resolution receives a Read-In document from the NCRO prior to any interviews or request for information. This document contains an admonition to not disclose information without authorization which is stated in CAPR 20-2, para 11.8.3. The complainant receives this admonition in the acknowledgement letter. So that covers the people involved in the investigation but what about everybody else? Members who are not directly involved in the complaint resolution but have knowledge of the complaint because well, people talk. These folks didn’t receive a Read-In document, so they didn’t get the admonition, right? Technically, no. CAPR 20-2 is a CAP regulation, and it applies to ALL CAP members, not just NCROs. CAPR 11.8.3 states: “The conduct of an investigation requires complainants, subjects, and witnesses who are CAP members to fully cooperate. The Oath of Membership in CAP requires each member to fully comply with CAP regulations. This includes a member’s duty to respond with truthful and complete information. Failure to provide such information, to disclose information without authorization, or take any action to impede the process of the IG investigation will be documented and provided to the member’s commander, as appropriate. Such action may result in disciplinary action up to and including membership termination, pursuant to CAPR 35-3, Membership Termination.” Granted, this paragraph could use some definition and clarity, and it will get it. In the meantime, IG personnel and commanders at all levels should remind members that discussing IG complaints with members other than the NCRO has the same confidentiality breach effect as a disclosure by a person involved. Regardless, if they are involved in the complaint or not, they are not to discuss the complaint.
IG Development
Inspections By - Col Frank Eldridge, CAP/IGI
INSPECTIOnS
Your unit has just completed the required Subordinate Unit Inspection (SUI) or the Wing/Region Compliance Inspection. If your unit or wing/region completed the inspection with no discrepancies, Congratulations, the inspection is completed. However, if your unit or wing/region received discrepancies your work has not been completed. What’s the next step. As per CAPR 20-3, paragraphs 8.3.3 and 9.14 the unit will respond to all discrepancies using the Discrepancy Tracking System (DTS) module in eServices Inspector General (IG) module. Units shall reference the Inspector Knowledge Base (IKB) for discrepancy closure guidance. Effective 1 November 2025, the IKB were incorporated into each of the CI/SUI worksheets. As example, in reviewing the SUI A1 worksheet for Aerospace Education (AE), the first three pages are the questions the inspector will be reviewing during each inspection. Starting on page 4 are the IKBs for each of the AE questions. Depending on each question, the IKBs will require actions to be completed and/or providing a Plan of Action to close a discrepancy. Either way, to close a discrepancy is pretty much straight forward. However, by completing the required actions based on the IKB, did this truly correct the problem or did the unit just correct the symptoms. One tool available to a commander is the next inspection (CI/SUI). If the unit only corrected the system, the next inspection will more likely identify the same discrepancy from the last inspection which will result in a Repeat Discrepancy. One repeat discrepancy on any worksheet will result in an Ineffective rating for the worksheet. To ensure you are correcting the problem and not the symptoms, each commander should lead their respective staff in performing a Root Cause Analysis(RCA) of each discrepancy. The Air Force performs RCA by using structured processes often employing tools like 5 Whys (Repeatedly asking “Why?” to uncover deeper causes, often effect for human factors), and data analysis to identify systemic failures in People Processes, Parts, Position, and Paradigms (culture/beliefs). Once the root cause has been identified, it’s time to develop the action plan detailing the steps, responsibilities, and timelines. Now it’s time to follow through. Do not wait for the next SUI or CI to determine if you fixed the problem. Have your members complete a Self-Assessment within several months of the corrective action being put in place. Also, do not hesitate to ask higher headquarters to conduct a Staff Assist Visit. These visits can be focused on all the inspection worksheets or have them focused on the previous discrepancies to ensure the problem(s) has been resolved. Remember, All CAP commanders must continuously evaluate organizational readiness, efficiency, and effectiveness. This is the commander's responsibility.
CIMB – What it is and What it does
Col Russ Chazell, CAP/IGD Principal DEPUTY INSPECTOR GENERAL
In my last IG Audience article, I wrote about the Inspector General regulations. Both CAPR 20-1, “Inspector General Program,” and CAPR 20-2, “Complaint Resolution,” have been issued and are now in effect. CAPR 20-3, “Inspections and Compliance Analyses,” is now in final coordination and should be issued within the next few months. As I also wrote last time, these new IG program regulations represent a significant evolution in CAP’s IG program. The CAP IG program is now less focused on identifying non-compliances through rote worksheets and more focused on reducing that risk by evaluating readiness to perform our three Congressionally mandated missions. In this article, I focus on the CIMB, or Commander’s Inspection Management Board. The new 20-3, if approved, will mandate establishment of a CIMB at the Wing, Region, and National levels and will be chaired by the Wing, Region, and National commander, as appropriate. CIMBs are designed to review CI and SUI data and results to identify and mitigate risks that may be present from undetected noncompliance within the organization and to collaboratively work to resolve known open discrepancies remaining from CIs and SUIs. In addition to the echelon commander, as chair, CIMBs include the echelon IG and the next lower echelon commanders and their IGs, if appropriate. For example, a Region CIMB would include the Region Commander (as chair), the Region IG, the wing commanders in that region, and the wing IGs in that region. Analogously, a Wing CIMB would include the Wing Commander (as chair), the Wing IG, and all the group (if groups are in that wing), squadron, and flight commanders. Since subordinate unit IGs are not authorized, a wing CIMB would not include IGs other than the wing IG. However, as CIMB chair, the echelon commander can add other participants as (s)he sees fit so long as the minimum ex officio participants are included. CIMB meetings should be held, in person, if possible, at least quarterly. Ideally, the meeting would include the echelon IG providing a status report on upcoming inspections, compliance analyses, and CAP Readiness Exercises as well as reviewing open discrepancies from completed inspections. Meeting agendas should also include reviews of key metrics, unit self-assessment findings, challenges faced by subordinate unit commanders, upcoming inspections, compliance analyses, and CAP Readiness Exercises. As a continuous compliance tool that commanders can use the CIMB to stay informed of IG program issues, identify early units or issues needing command attention, and facilitate dialogue within the echelon. The CIMB ensures the National/region/wing/ Inspection Plan meets the commander’s intent. IGs should attempt to migrate the discussion from historical performance (“here’s what we did”) to prescribing what actions the echelon should take (“here’s what we should do”) to improve performance in graded areas. Problem-solving responsibilities and the corrective action processes reside at the lowest appropriate command level, not with the IG staff and the CIMB can help to make that happen. Preparations for the CIMB include reviewing applicable reports from the CAP Discrepancy Tracking System (DTS) that identify trends and deficiencies. Ideally, the echelon IG will prepare the briefing package for the meeting. The discussion package should include:
- A tailored report of the key metrics for the echelon containing inspection data, self-assessment findings, questions, deficiencies/severity, observations/trends, and higher headquarters issues.
- A review of open discrepancies to include updates on plans of action, estimated close-out dates, mitigating circumstances, recommendations for closure, and external assistance required (if any).
- Self-assessment observations review (break out by unit, key observations, and concerns).
- Upcoming events (compliance inspections, subordinate unit inspections, compliance assessments).
- Echelon commander objectives/feedback.
- Subordinate commanders’ objectives and feedback (to include inspection closure status, issues affecting the organization, and upcoming scheduled inspections and/or assessments.
- Findings and recommendations from outside stakeholders (OPRs, parents, community, etc.).
- A review of planned and completed CAP Readiness Exercises (CREs) to ensure that exercise planning addresses all applicable event objectives as defined in the operations plan and other source documents.
In summary, the intent of the CIMB is to synthesize inspection program data and results to proactively mitigate risks to readiness and risks from known/unknown areas of non-compliance. As the CIMB concept is implemented, the National IG team stands ready to assist wing and region HQs to establish these boards as a meaningful and useful instrument leading to Excellence in All We Do!
Education and training insights By - Col Daniel Leclair, Deputy Inspector General for Training, Education, and Staff Development
In this Inspector General Audience, I would like to kick off 2026 with an article on Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) I receive as the Deputy Inspector General for Training, Education, and Staff Development. Here are the top five:
Question 1: As a Wing Inspector General, what are my requirements for Inspector General (IG) training before appointment as the Wing IG?
Answer: Wing IG candidates must hold a technician rating in the IG specialty track before appointment, unless waived, and after appointment, complete the IG College at the earliest opportunity. Wing IGs must choose the Inspection track. The Complaint Resolution track may be pursued as an optional rating. Unless waived by CAP/IG, the required training must be completed before the appointment. A wing commander may appoint an IG who has not completed an advanced course of instruction. However, the newly appointed IG must complete a training plan with CAP/IGT outlining the pathway to completion. We will be working on pathways for additional IG education and staff development in January, scheduled around the National Conference, and will announce them once details are finalized. Question 2: What additional duties can wing and regional IGs perform while serving as an IG? Answer: IGs at all echelons will not be constrained by additional non-IG duties that detract from their primary responsibilities. The following limitations apply to those who serve as IGs: · An IG will not hold more than one position. · This restriction does not preclude an IG from operational/support assignments, including but not limited to Emergency Services positions (e.g., incident commander, mission aircrew member, ground team leader). · Cadet Programs support functions (e.g., driver, overnight supervisor, host, cadet competition judge or panelist, encampment staff). · Aerospace Education activities (e.g., teacher, seminar leader, activity monitor, aerospace education counselor). · Education and Training activities or serving as a Volunteer University instructor. · None of these restrictions applies to IGAs. Question 3: How are Master IG ratings processed? Answer: CAP offers advanced IG courses. Completion of these courses satisfies the academic training requirements for the IG specialty track leading to the Master rating, which includes the CAP IG College. The CAP/IGT reviews the completed Evaluation & Certification Worksheet or electronic training record before the CAP/IG approves the Master rating. Question 4: How does a wing or region IG and others accomplish the IG refresher training? Answer: All IGs / IGAs and other required personnel will complete the IG Annual Refresher Training by completing any one of the following: · Achieving a passing score on all four online IG Audience quizzes within each calendar year. · Attending or teaching at an IG Summit, or completing other training opportunities that may be made available by the CAP/IGT or region/wing commanders · Wing and Region IGs may coordinate with CAP/IGT to offer training for IGs in conjunction with region/wing conferences or separately as needed. Question 5: When is the next IG college? Answer: Hold the date for the 2026 National Conference Pre-sessions - stay tuned for more details soon! Best wishes for a Happy New Year. I look forward to serving with you in 2026.
Results of Wing/Region-Level Compliance InspectionsWING CI DATES RESULTS -
Organization - Date - Rating
- SER 24 - 16 October - Highly Effective
Upcoming Wing/Region-Level Compliance Inspections
Organization - Out Brief Date - Cycle 7 & 8
- LA TBD 11 January 2026
- HI 11 January 2026
- DE 25 January 2026
- AL 8 February 2026
- WA 15 March 2026
- RI 29 March 2026
Contact Us!
CAP/IG: Col Joe Winter at ig@capnhq.gov
CAP/IGD: (Principal Deputy) Col Russell Chazell at igd@capnhq.gov
CAP/IGQ (Complaints): Col Preston Perrenot at igq@capnhq.gov
CAP/IGI (Inspections): Col Frank Eldridge at igi@capnhq.gov
CAP/IGT (Education & Training): Col Dan Leclair at igt@capnhq.gov
THE AUDIENCE EDITOR: Col Cheryl Fielitz-Scarbrough at cfielitzscarbrough@cap.gov
Credits:
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