Preparation: Key to success

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Lynne Neveu
  • Public Affairs
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  Team Vance is on its final approach for the Operational Readiness Inspection Aug. 14 to 22. With only 24 days left, now is the time to ensure the wing makes a positive and lasting impression on the Air Education and Training Command Inspector General team.
"By now, people should have completed thorough self-assessments to identify areas that are not in compliance, or programs they wanted to target for improvement," said Maj. Stephen Mollick, 71st Flying Training Wing ORI preparation center director. "They should also have identified areas where they are exceeding requirements. Exceptional areas should be noted on talking papers for presentation to the inspectors."
If discrepancies are identified and people are unsure how to fix them, now is the time to call the ORI prep center team for help.
Additionally, if there is an area that exceeds requirements, but people aren't sure how to document or highlight the mission impact, the prep team can offer suggestions.
Compliance with regulations and directives is not the only item of concern for the ORI prep team here, said Capt. Craig Lowery, ORI preparation center deputy director.
"While the inspection teams are here, ensure you speak affirming, professional words about other Team Vance members," he said. "Finger-pointing at other Vance members is to be avoided ... we are a team."
Captain Lowery added that deploying personnel must remember to wear the battle dress uniform cap when processing, not organizational baseball-style hats. Also, always present a professional appearance and render proper customs and courtesies, such as stopping your vehicle or rendering proper courtesies during reveille and retreat, saluting staff cars and wearing a cover when departing any building.
"In plain terms, the IG team will look at our ability to comply with Air Force and Department of Defense directives to accomplish our mission, as well as ability to process and deploy personnel in an exercise environment," said Captain Lowery.
Regarding base contractors, he said the AETC IG Team will look at the contractor's ability to comply with the prescribed statement of work as well as the quality assurance inspector's ability to ensure contractor compliance in accordance with the quality assurance surveillance plan.
Capt. Lowery said one last item is to keep personal cell phones out of sight during the inspection. Government-issued cell phones are acceptable.
"Believe it or not, personal cell phones are a very high item of interest with the IG team," he said.
"First and foremost, Vance members can expect the inspectors to treat them with respect and professionalism," he said. "They want you to do well."
Team Vance spent many months fine tuning programs, ensuring compliance and reviewing policies and procedures. With 24 days left, now is the time to make final preparations for the AETC IG team visit to ensure Team Vance finishes strong at the close of the ORI.
The Wing ORI Preparation Center can be contacted at 5551 or 7030.