Culture of compliance; make it routine

Published Dec. 4, 2014
By Col. Doug Schwartz
434th Air Refueling Wing

GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- During the December unit training assembly, we welcome Brig. Gen. John J. Mooney III, the Air Force Reserve Command inspector general and the AFRC inspection team as they conduct a capstone unit effectiveness and compliance.

We often talk about a "culture of compliance." Let's break that statement down and explain what that means to us each and every day.

First, it means getting it right the first time; every time. It means ensuring that we are in compliance with applicable laws, directives and any commander directed taskings.

It also means that we are good stewards of the nation's resources and our own time by eliminating waste from our work and self-imposed clutter.

Bottom line, if any compliance activity is not by law, Department of Defense instruction, Air Force instruction or commander directed, then challenge your supervisor and commander on why you are doing that activity.

There is no better time in our Air Force than now to eliminate those "Cold War" relics and legacy self-inspection activities that we all have been doing for so long just because that is the way we have always done it.

So, you are thinking, "okay, colonel, how do I comply each and every day? What and where are the tools to ensure I'm in compliance? Where does the path start in this compliance journey?"

We can help you with that! For starters, we have a great tool called MICT, or Management Internal Controls Toolkits. As you know, this program is a tool and the foundation to your compliance success.

MICT allows each unit to build, use and develop effective and relevant checklists while managing and taking ownership of your own processes.

Through this toolkit you will be able to keep track of programs more efficiently by keeping a record of items- both open and closed - ensuring everyone is always on the same page.

As we travel further down the compliance path we influence and "check ourselves" through the Commander's Inspection Program.

The CCIP is the latest cutting edge shift in the Air Force as we are now charged with the responsibility of self-assessing our compliance activity. Make this program work for you.

Commanders, we have tremendous talent, so take and use input from your Airmen to truly find out what is needed to be compliant and assure readiness.

And finally, at the end of the day, let's do it for ourselves. Does anyone really want to leave their duty section at the end of the day without the sense of fulfillment that comes with doing it right the first time, every time, or without complying with laws and applicable directives?

Our wing is made up of talented Airmen who ensure mission success 24/7. It's not our culture to be less than excellent in all we do. Make compliance part of your daily routine each and every day!

Grissom is home to the 434th Air Refueling Wing, the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command, as well as three Army Reserve units. Airmen, Soldiers and Marines routinely deploy from Grissom around the world in support of the Department of Defense mission and U.S. strategic objectives.

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Culture of compliance; make it routine

Public Affairs Staff