Who approves the IDP?

• A. Installation Commander.
• B. Deputy Commander.
• C. Legal Officer.
• D. Public Affairs Officer.

Answer: (A)

Approval for an Individual Development Plan comes from the Installation Commander because the plan ties personal growth to installation priorities and resources. The commander has the authority to endorse training and development that affect the installation’s mission, scheduling, and funding, making the plan officially actionable within the unit.

The Deputy Commander may assist or stand in when the commander is unavailable, but the formal approval typically rests with the Installation Commander. A Legal Officer reviews plans for compliance with laws and policies, not to authorize individual development. The Public Affairs Officer focuses on communications and external messaging, not personnel development approvals. So, the Installation Commander is the appropriate approver since this role ensures development efforts support the installation’s mission and resource realities.