CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
One week to go Team Charleston! We have just completed a very successful, and our final mobility exercise. We are ready for the Air Mobility Command Operational Readiness Inspection.
The effort it took to reach this milestone is impressive. Every member of Team Charleston should feel a sense of accomplishment and pride ... and be excited about the chance to show the inspector general our stuff. We are peaking in our performance at the right time. Stay focused on the mission ... stay alert ... follow the Air Force Instruction and basic procedures ... pay attention to the small details. All of our efforts will be undone by the careless use of cell phones while driving, failure to use seat belts and a myriad of other infractions to AFIs. Show that sense of urgency. We are on track to dazzle the AMC inspection team!
Former Air Mobility Command IG, Maj. Gen. Mark Zamzow, assembled the following list of ways to dazzle the IG. You have heard this before ... read it again. No one does the airlift mission better than Team Charleston.
1. Competence -- Know your job inside and out, and perform your duties to the best of your ability despite the inspection scenario or the inspector's glare.
2. Responsiveness -- Show a "sense of urgency" during every waking moment; lean
forward in those starting blocks and realistically propel yourself into every activity.
3. Attitude -- Display a positive attitude, recognize that enthusiasm is contagious and
that problems always arise in the "fog of war" and can be overcome.
4. Readiness -- Ensure your personal bags are packed, mobility requirements are current, the paperwork and processes in your work section are in perfect order and you have trained effectively so you can infallibly perform your duties in peace and war.
5. Aggressiveness -- React authoritatively with ability to survive and operate skills in attack scenarios and with self-aid and buddy care in medical emergencies. Effectively continue mission essential activities in all force protection condition levels and treat inspections and exercises as the real thing.
6. Appearance -- Look people in the eye, pop a sharp salute and exceed the standards for uniform, boots and hair.
7. Safety -- Approach duties with a safety-oriented mindset, know when not to press forward on actions because they're unsafe and apply operational risk management techniques to accomplish the mission.
8. Leadership -- Lead by words and actions -- formally and informally -- by motivating, communicating and setting a positive example.
9. Followership -- Follow taskings and orders quickly and effectively, employ team building skills and always keep the objective in sight.
10. Pride -- Visibly exude pride in yourself, your unit, your mission and your base. Keep looking good, feeling good and being a winner!
If you scan through those 10 items again, you'll notice those attributes apply not just for the IG visit, but are integral to the fabric of our Air Force culture as well. Clearly they are the very foundation of "normal ops" every day of the year.
So when we are under the IG's inspection microscope, channel that apprehension and fear toward productivity, positive thinking and action. The inspection is our time to shine and demonstrate the pride and professionalism I see every day.
When the inspection starts, grab that inspector by the collar and say, "Follow me-I want to show off exactly why my unit and our people are outstanding!"
We are ... Team Charleston - Take the Fight to the Enemy!