CUI preparation -- who conducts the inspection

  • Published
  • By Maj. Steven Schutt
  • 42nd Air Base Wing inspector general
In preparation for the consolidated unit inspection, I want to articulate to you who the inspector general is and who to expect here in September.

The inspector general of the Air Force is the top dog in the arenas of inspection and complaints resolution for the Air Force. According to the official homepage, the IG independently assesses the readiness, discipline and efficiency of the Air Force and is responsible to the secretary and chief of staff for Air Force inspection policy.

As with our force structure, there also is an inspector general at all major command levels. The inspector general for Air Education and Training Command, of which Maxwell is a part, is Col. Christopher Richardson at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas.

Why do I show this to you? Simple - these offices are responsible for inspections. Their primary mission is to assess that we, as an installation, a wing, a group, a squadron, a flight, and even as an individual, are mission ready at any and all times, maintaining a world-class installation and continually developing the best leaders.

These offices simply view our steady-state mission readiness, then they report what they see. That is their job. Nothing more, nothing less. And guess what? They do their job with the same integrity, commitment and excellence that you do.

So, let me ask you a question: Are you doing your job at the same level as these folks are? I believe so. But don't be afraid to use every tool at your disposal to do your job better, to execute at a sustained higher level. Use that head's up display I wrote about last month. Use your leadership. Use your peers. Demand that high level of a steady-state mission readiness. Make the job of these offices easier.

If you do that, the consolidated unit inspection, or any inspection for that matter, becomes routine because you will already be operating at the highest level. These inspectors will notice it. The major command will notice it. The chief of staff of the Air Force will notice it. You will notice it. More importantly, the citizens of this nation will notice it.