One day at a time best ORI preparation for Team Vance

Published Jan. 17, 2007
By Lt Col David Marshall
71st Flying Training Wing

Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." George Santayana, American philosopher.
"Those who cannot remember the mistakes from our past Operational Readiness Inspections are condemned to repeat the same errors." Lt Col Dave Marshall, 71FTW Inspector General.
One year from now, in August 2005, what will you be doing? If you are stationed here at Vance Air Force Base, I can tell you with much certainty what it will be. A large potion of your time will be spent preparing for the fast approaching HQ Air Education and Training Command's Operational Readiness Inspection. Commonly known as an "ORI", an AETC Operational Readiness Inspection is designed to test those areas and items that most directly affect the wing's mission.
What does this mean to us "worker bees?" To be sure, compliance with laws and Air Force Instructions will not be ignored. Areas involving mission impact will be heavily inspected as well. Additionally, in keeping with the Air Force's expeditionary mindset, an in-depth test of a simulated deployment can be expected. Finally, using a fairly new AETC inspection concept, evaluating all contractor activities and incorporating the results in the main ORI report will be done.
You may be saying to yourself, "So what? August 2005 is over a year away!" Well, let me remind you of what Benjamin Franklin once said, "You may delay, but time will not."
Permit me to share a modern day "take" on his comment: Whether we want to believe it or not, the ORI will be here before we know it. Emphasis on "closing the loop" from Vance's previous ORI write ups should be the current buzz phrase. I would love to include the words "Recommend closing all open write ups" when I send AETC/IG our next quarterly "2003 ORI Status of Write Ups" report. What about the future? Early preparation for the 2005 ORI is prudent!
How can you prepare? Over the next few weeks, look for articles right here in the Airscoop. They'll provide you specifics. They'll point you in the right direction. They'll offer information you simply cannot afford to do without.
Does all this sound overwhelming? Dean Acheson, Secretary of State under President Harry Truman, wisely told his staff in the early days of winning the Cold War, "Always remember that the future comes one day at a time." One day at a time, Team Vance will prepare for the future...August 2005!