DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- Have you heard about the new Air Force Inspection System (AFIS)? If not, you are not alone!
AFIS was implemented in 2013 and is codified in AFI 90-201, The Air Force Inspection System.
To say this is a new way of doing business is an understatement. Formerly, wing’s depended on MAJCOMs to conduct Unit Compliance Inspections (UCI) and Operational Readiness Inspections (ORI) to determine wing compliance and readiness.
Bottom line: that is no longer the case!
Now we have AFIS, which is focused on assessing and reporting a unit’s readiness, economy, efficiency, discipline and mission effectiveness. AFIS gives Commanders at all levels independent assessments of: 1) Unit Compliance with directives and ability to execute its mission, leadership effectiveness, management performance, and aspects of unit culture and command climate 2) Unit’s ability to find, report, analyze and fix deficiencies, and 3) Unit’s ability to prevent fraud and abuse, and to minimize waste.
A key component of AFIS is the Commander’s Inspection Program (CCIP). Paragraph 2.2. states, “All Air Force Wings will have a Commander’s Inspection Program”, which includes Wings, Groups and Squadrons. Additionally, below wing-level, and as a critical part of an effective unit self-assessment program, AFIS depends on all Airmen reporting honestly on whether or not they comply with all directives and reporting to their supervisors when they cannot comply.
The concept of “Every Airmen is a sensor” is important and critical to CCIP success.
The thought process for a long time has been to “Go Green” as fast as possible. And, I for one, disagree with that logic. I’d rather people be honest and identify broken processes or programs so we can get after them. For example, if a First Sergeant’s Family Member Care Program is broken, then it’s incumbent on that person to identify it as “red” and prepare a Corrective Action Plan (CAP). That way the program gets “highlighted” and has leadership’s attention to get it fixed.
It’s all about leadership at every level…
That being said, here are some tips for a successful CCIP:
1. Hire the right people as your Self-Assessment Program Managers (SAPMs), and your Wing Inspection Team (WIT) members
2. Train SAPMs/WIT Team and hold them to the highest standards
3. Ensure all are Management Internal Control Toolset (MICT) trained operators
4. Regularly display MICT dashboard/metrics at staff meetings and hold people accountable
5. Make job knowledge and capability a priority
6. Learn your Mission Essential Tasking’s (METs) and train to them
7. Talk readiness, lethality, mission and safety, and make sure Airmen know their part
8. Be good teammates and provide objectives and scenarios, based on METs, to exercise planners, CE emergency managers, and Wing IGI
9. Ensure Operational Risk Management (ORM), i.e. Safety, principles are consistently applied
10. Remember, every Airmen’s a “Sensor” and has a part in a successful CCIP
In summary, how important is a successful CCIP to you? If you think this is personal…it is! Everyone is a vital member of the Wing’s heartbeat! And you make the difference every day you come through the gate.
So, let’s “Huddle up!” and decide who’s going to do what to EXECUTE OUR CCIP!!!!!!!