CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
For the past four months, the 437th Airlift Wing has been busy preparing for upcoming inspections. Many hours were expended inspecting programs, researching regulations, cleaning up work areas and ensuring our Airmen are ready for this test.
With the inspection on our doorstep, now is the time to make the final tweaks and ensure we have the right mindset to make this a successful inspection. The following tips are based upon an old TIG Brief magazine article titled, "A Dozen Ways to Dazzle Inspectors."
1. Attitude: Display a positive attitude; recognize enthusiasm is contagious, and that problems always arise. Don't sweat it ... remain cool and calm, and continue to be proud of what we do. When the inspection starts, grab an inspector by the collar and say, "Follow me, I want to show off exactly why our unit is outstanding." Don't wait for inspectors to come to you ... go to them.
2. Safety: Approach duties with a safety-oriented mindset and know when not to press forward on actions because they're unsafe. Apply operational risk management techniques to accomplish the mission. This means sweating "the small stuff."
3. Be polite: Always remain friendly and congenial toward inspectors. If they ask you how you're doing, always tell them you're great. It goes back to No. 1, attitude.
4. Do not argue: Under any circumstances, no arguing or back-talking to inspectors. That is what the chain of command is for. If you think you received a "bad" inspection or an unfair evaluation, thank the inspector for their time and for providing you an opportunity to learn. Then, immediately raise the issue with your chain of command, and let them address it with the team chief. Arguing will only cause you to appear combative and argumentative, which reflects poorly on both you and the team.
5. Remember your customs and courtesies: Always stand for inspectors, call them sir or ma'am and always thank them for coming out to inspect you. These small details influence mindsets. Remember, the inspectors are people too and are willing to work with you if you make a good impression from the start.
6. Pride: Visibly exude pride in yourself, your unit, your mission and your base: Looking good, feeling good, being a winner. We are the best wing in the Air Force ... be proud of that.
7. Appearance: Look people in the eye, pop that sharp salute and exceed the standards for uniform, boots and hair. You may be great at your job, but if your hair is out of regulation, you will likely leave a bad impression.
8. Competence: Know your job inside and out, and perform those duties to the best of your ability. Don't worry about the inspection scenario or the inspector's glare. Don't view the inspection as a possibility of screwing up, but rather, as an opportunity to show off how good you are.
9. Responsiveness: Show a sense of urgency. Do not rush, hurry or cut corners, ever! But while doing things safely, you should not lollygag. Have your things together, technical orders available and tools ready for inspection.
10. Communication: Part of the evaluation is to see how quickly we can get the word out when mistakes are made. Mistakes are expected. It's going to happen, but we need to learn from our mistakes. In order to do that, we need to make sure we get the word out. If you make a mistake or see inspectors looking at certain areas a lot, don't sit on the info. Let people know, so they can be aware.
11. Leadership: Lead by words and actions, formally and informally, by motivating, communicating and setting a positive example.
12. Followership: Follow tasks and orders quickly and effectively. Employ teambuilding skills, and always keep the objective in sight.
The 12 attributes listed are not things that should only shine through for an inspector general's visit. Instead, they are considered integral to the fabric of our Air Force culture and have applications far beyond inspections, as the foundation of normal operations every day of the year.
So, when your unit is under the IG's microscope, channel that anxiety and alarm toward productivity, positive thinking and action.
The bottom line is that we are an outstanding unit with hard workers doing heroic work every day. Although we will make mistakes, an outstanding rating is within our reach. We just need everybody to exude an air of excitement, pay attention to the small stuff, correct mistakes on the spot and never walk past a mistake without fixing it.
It will be exciting watching Team Charleston in action as we show the inspection team why we are the best.