Don't prepare for inspection

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Preston McConnell
  • 442d Fighter Wing IG
WHTIEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  We are one month from our first Unit Effectiveness Inspection (UEI) Capstone Event as part of the new Air Force Inspection System (AFIS).  This Capstone will be a validation of the 442 FW Commander's Inspection Program (CCIP) and will occur 4-9 June 2015.  The intent of the CCIP is to provide Gen. Hegtvedt with a solid understanding of the wing's readiness and level of compliance; allowing him to make decisions on where we can accept risk as well as prioritize his limited manpower and resources towards mission essential tasks.  In other words, this inspection will ensure your IG and WIT teams are doing our jobs properly, providing an accurate picture of the wing's readiness and compliance.  This inspection is different from the inspections many of you have experienced in the past.  So, what does this all mean to you as a member of the 442 FW?

First, continue to do your job as you do every day.  We are not preparing for an inspection.  In fact, your IG has been inspecting this wing for the last 3 years.  Therefore, each of you should continue to work in a manner that makes this the premiere fighter wing in the Air Force.  If we are acting differently or changing the way we operate because we have inspectors here, then we are either not doing our jobs correctly or we are still operating as if we are still under the old inspection system.  Be proud of what you do and how you do it.  Continue to operate as the professionals you are.

Second, several of you will be asked to participate in interviews with an IG member.  These will be referred to as Airmen to IG Sessions (ATIS).  Those asked to participate will either be interviewed individually (ATIS-I) or as part of a group (ATIS-G).  This is your opportunity to have direct communication with the IG.  I have been asked many times how we prepare folks for these interviews.  My answer is always we don't.  I only ask each member interviewed to answer the questions open and honestly in a professional manner with the intent of making this wing the best it can be.  We know we have areas that need improvement.  We will not shy away from those areas but will work to make them better. 

Third, I know we have several areas of non-compliance within the wing.  Is this a bad thing?  Not really, depending on the reason for non-compliance.  Also, we don't want to have areas of unrecognized non-compliance.  If we have properly identified our non-compliance areas, determined why they exist, and developed corrective action plans to work towards compliance, then we are operating precisely as the program intended.  If we are totally honest, it is practically impossible to be 100% compliant in every area and that is fine.  We will continue to strive towards compliance, but we will not do so at the expense of our people as often we don't have the resources to achieve 100% compliance.  The intent of our CCIP is to provide Brig. Gen. Hegtvedt with the honest truth of our compliance, highlighting what we need to achieve compliance.  The "what we need" part is essential for leaders to engage and provide help in the appropriate areas and accept risks in other areas.  Therefore, continue to work your MICT communications as thoroughly and honestly as you can. Ask for help if you are not getting what you need to accomplish your mission.

Finally, thank you for all of your hard work and diligence.  We have an outstanding wing that will be validated when the approximately 40 inspectors arrive in June.  Be proud of what you do and professionally engage the inspectors when they are in your areas.  Remember, making the 442 FW better is the overall goal.