Self-inspection program a success Published July 23, 2010 By Brandice J. Armstrong Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Air Force Materiel Command's self-inspection program is a success. Since recently reinvigorating the program, Tinker officials said Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center units are more productive, everyday practices are better systematized and organizations are more prepared should an inspection occur. "The self-inspection program represents the basics of military standards and compliance. If we aren't doing them all the time, then we aren't meeting minimum standards and, as a result, we aren't keeping faith with respect to one our core values -- excellence in all we do," said Col. Scott Merrell, 72nd Air Base Wing vice commander. "If we do the right things every day, the inspection process should be easy, and welcome, at any time." At the beginning of each calendar year, organizations determine, using the AFMC unit compliance inspection applicable checklist as a guide, areas that should be inspected. Inspections are scheduled throughout the year. Once determined, units review questions evaluating their respective programs. Armed with inspection checklists, inspectors will review the corrective action plan for progress made, sense of urgency, remaining actions and timelines of self-identified deficiencies. They also consider limiting factors, estimated completion dates and collaboration with functional experts, to determine the integrity behind the effort. "If an organization self-identifies a deficiency and provides an adequate corrective action plan it will not go against their overall grade during an AFMC inspection," said Rick Colina of the Installation Exercise Program Office. "More importantly, self-identifying a deficiency with good corrective actions ensures mission accomplishment and safe operations." For every item that is noncompliant, unit officials must make corrective action plans explaining the root cause before fixing the process. Also aiding in the process is the Alexsys Team database, project-management software which assists in tracking open deficiencies and provides commanders with trends' analysis where problems might occur. The Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center Aerospace Sustainment Directorate has benefitted from the self-inspection program. "By maintaining a continuous review of our processes with an annual, quarterly and monthly review battle rhythm, we quickly incorporate new guidance into our daily activities and identify areas that need improvement, always focused on providing extraordinary warfighter support," said Col. Mark Beierle, OC-ALC/GK director. "Our robust self-inspection program keeps our operating practices current and prepared for no-notice inspections."