Self-Inspections: The first step towards readiness

  • Published
  • By Capt. Josh Markland
  • 341st Space Wing
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  Units across Malmstrom are working through their self-inspection checklists as they prepare for the upcoming Nuclear Surety Inspection and Compliance Inspection June 10 to 25. At the same time, the 819th RED HORSE Squadron is also preparing for their Operational Readiness Inspection. 

Self-inspections are documented internal reviews using job specific checklists developed by career field experts. These checklists tell people the critical things they need to do to accomplish the mission. When headquarters inspectors come to inspect thebase, they'll use the very same checklists. 

"Self inspections are basically 'freebies,'" said Lt. Col. Jerry Kain, 341st Space Wing Chief of Plans. "You're assessing yourself and how well you're doing your job. If you pencil-whip the self-inspection and don't take it seriously, you're only fooling yourself and hurting your teammates." 

Once the inspections begin and the inspectors are in the workcenter, they won't be fooled. The inspectors are experts and they know how to ask the right questions in order to assess compliance. 

It's important to exhibit the Air Force core values, especially "Excellence In All We Do," while conducting self-inspections now to prepare for the inspectors.
Colonel Kain offers a few tips for a successful self-inspection: 
- Read your Air Force Instructions. The instructions outline what we do and why we do it. The checklists are developed to comply with the instructions and tell how to accomplish those requirements. Combining knowledge with understanding and then executeing the tasks will demonstrate expertise. That's how people earn "Professional Performer;" they've demonstrated they know their business and they've demonstrated their competencies. 
- Be honest. Rather than ignoring a problem, tell a supervisor about the problem and then fix it. It's easier to correct a self-identified problem prior to an inspection than it is to correct an IG write-up later. 
- Enlist outside help. If you're unfamiliar with the self-inspection program, contact the squadron's self-inspection monitor. They can explain how to run a checklist. You can also call the wing's self-inspection monitor, Master Sgt. Carla Bernard, at 731-6955. 
- Trade self-inspectors. Allowing an outsider to run your checklist will help you see things you've missed. For example, all groups have commander's support staffs and each staff runs the same checklists. Why not trade self inspectors? Others are bound to see things that you may have missed. 
- Explain your answers. It's easy to speed through the checklist with "yes" or "no" answers, but it's important to take the time and provide the proof for the answer. During the inspection, the IG will ask you to prove your answer then, so you might as well prepare yourself now. 

Are you ready for the upcoming inspection? And how do you know it? Your self-inspection program will answer both questions for you.