Brig. Gen. Michael B. Lalor, commanding general of U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, swore in Lt. Col. Charles Drucker as TACOM command inspector general during an Aug. 19, 2024 ceremony in Lalor’s office. Inspectors general are impartial, independent factfinders who serve on the personal staff of the commanding general. They determine and report on the economy, efficiency, discipline, morale, esprit de corps, readiness and resources of the command.

Accessibility and relationship-building are top priorities for Lt. Col. Charles Drucker, TACOM’s new command inspector general. Inspectors general have four main functions: teaching and training, inspections, assistance and investigations.

Lt. Col. Charles Drucker, TACOM command inspector general, said he and his staff strive to be “accessible, available and present” for all members of the TACOM community.

Detroit Arsenal, Mich. - Accessibility and relationship-building are top priorities for Lt. Col. Charles Drucker, the new command inspector general of the U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command.

“It’s very important that not only me, but everyone who works in this particular office, is accessible, available and present to everyone within TACOM’s command,” he said.

Brig. Gen. Michael B. Lalor administered the oath of office to Drucker on Aug. 19.

As command inspector general, Drucker serves as Lalor’s eyes, ears, voice and conscience, as well as an impartial, independent factfinder. He is on the personal staff of the commanding general and will be a sounding board for sensitive issues.

Inspectors general have four main functions: teaching and training, inspections, assistance and investigations.

Drucker most recently served in Hawaii as posture and strategy chief for U.S. Army Pacific G-4.

Born and raised in the Chicago suburb of Winnetka, Ill., Drucker worked in the pharmaceutical industry before entering basic training and officer training school at age 27. His father was a Korean War veteran, and Drucker had always wanted to become an Army officer.

“The service, I really believe in it,” he said. “If you’re going to really love something and dedicate your life to it, you’ve got to be able to get behind it, and you have to really feel it in your bones. The Army is that.”

Drucker’s military career began branch detailed in the infantry. He served on mission transition teams in Afghanistan before moving to logistics.

On the logistics side, Drucker focused on support operations for aviation and intelligence. He studied at the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center.

In his new role, Drucker said he is looking forward to getting to know the Soldiers, DA Civilians, contract employees, family members, retirees and other people who make up the TACOM community.

“If you see me in the hallway, say ‘hi.’ I always try to,” he said. “I want to build that relationship.”

Outside of work, Drucker has enjoyed exploring Michigan and sampling local cuisine – especially Detroit-style pizza, with its crispy, caramelized crust. He already is a fan of Buddy’s and Green Lantern, and hopes to soon visit Loui’s, Cloverleaf and Detroit Style Pizza Co.

“Being a Chicago guy, and a Chicago pizza guy, I’m kind of converting over to Detroit pizza,” he said. “It’s fantastic.”

Drucker said it’s a good time to have a permanent-change-of-station in the Detroit area, so he can “develop some bona fide street credibility as a Detroit Lions fan prior to them making the Super Bowl.”