Strategy for a successful UCI Published Oct. 7, 2011 By Maj. Douglas Charters 56th Fighter Wing Unit Compliance project officer LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. -- Compliance. Mechanics. Attitude. As we approach the Air Education Training Command Inspector General Unit Compliance Inspection, my squadron project officers and I wanted to give every member of the Luke Air Force Base team the Luke strategy to earning the best assessment of our compliance with Air Force instructions. The UCI has five parts of its stated purpose. From day one of our preparation, we've tied specific actions to satisfy this purpose. 1. Evaluate and measure how effectively, efficiently and safely units accomplish their assigned missions and responsibilities. We accomplish this through self-inspections. 2. Evaluate compliance with laws, instructions, regulations, contracts, technical orders, policies and special interest items. We accomplish this through demonstration. 3. Evaluate the overall readiness posture of the wing. We accomplish this through exercises. 4. Identify obstacles that impact mission accomplishment, morale, readiness and elimination of waste. We accomplish this through identifying limiting factors to our leadership. 5. Provide meaningful information to other units for use in improving their operations. We accomplish this through best practices, AFSO 21, IDEA initiatives and the CI report. As we now transition from preparation to the actual inspection, I want every Airman to think of the mantra, Compliance, Mechanics, Attitude, in order to knock this inspection "out of the park." Compliance It is the Air Force inspector general's goal for everyone to think "continual compliance" every day. This may sound like an easy task to accomplish. You know your unit's mission, you know the Air Force instructions that govern your duty, and you execute this on a daily basis. But, how well do you make sure you are continually complying on a daily basis? How do you demonstrate that to an inspector? Some tools you have are self inspections, continuity books and tangible products of your effort. Showing compliance means that you are able to show the inspectors these tools, and help them interpret your daily effort to accomplish the mission. Give them a copy of your continuity book, past reports and even working products that you are producing today. Remember to make sure you are able to demonstrate that what you give them is directly related to the "core" AFI and not some interpretation or manifestation of the AFI. This can only happen when you know your instructions cold! It's now time to re-read your self-inspections, correct or update them with current information, and reread your AFI, cover to cover. Mechanics "Smooth is good." This is what one Luke Airman told me during a recent strategy session, and I think it sums up how you need to present your compliance to the inspector. You are the defendant and the inspector is the prosecutor. You need to have a polished way of demonstrating that you not only know your mission, but you understand how your job fits into your squadron's mission, as well as Luke's and that of the U.S. Air Force. Start with a well versed short introduction of your job. Pause to make sure the inspector can help you guide him through a consistent and logical train of your duties. Don't ask after this first part, "Got any questions?" Instead offer to demonstrate a practiced routine activity and take it from start to finish in reasonable time. Remember, the inspector may not be able to spend all day with you, but he wants to walk away from your interaction with him thinking, "This Airman has got it together." Seamlessly tie your section's goals into another; show how you complement each other and how you both get your commander's goals accomplished. Attitude This concept could be the tie breaker between a satisfactory inspection and an excellent or outstanding one. Remember, customs and courtesies not only extend to your inspector, but everyone you interact with. It's time to "reblue" some of your decorum. Our Luke supplement to AFI 26-2903 is changing to a Guidance Memorandum to complement the new instruction changes. First sergeants have been great to push out new changes and remind us all on the basics of this instruction and everyone should take a moment out to ensure they are projecting the right image of a military member. Your attitude during the inspection is just as important. When discussing a topic with an inspector, you may encounter a difference of opinion with him. That is not the time to argue the subject. Understand where the inspector might be coming from, take quick notes as you discuss, and then politely continue with the next subject when it allows. Arguing is for chiefs and colonels. This is another bold statement that should let you know when your concerns about the subject may be brought up. This requires you to bring up the subject with your chain of command after the initial interview. Make sure you research your differing view and that you have solid evidence for your argument. Then, let our chain of command work out the differences with the inspector's chain of command. Remember, most differences are not a reflection on you personally, but usually with interpretation of compliance. The inspectors are ensuring compliance with the process, not the person. Luke's voice It is vital that you are able to be the ambassador for Luke AFB. We've discussed a lot about vision, mission and goals, but can you tell the inspector what makes Luke unique? Did you know we have a Community Initiatives Team that has won awards at the Defense Department level? Our community integration is the best in AETC. We are the largest F-16 base in the world. We have a range management office that operates one of the premiere ranges in the world, the Barry M. Goldwater Range. The 56th Medical Group services more than 100,000-plus retirees, while maintaining our base populace in a deployment-ready status. If these items are not a part of your individual voice to the inspector, you are missing a great opportunity to help Luke's voice be heard. Remember, the Unit Compliance Inspection is an open book test. You know the questions. You know the answers. Compliance, mechanics and attitude is Luke's strategy for the UCI. Think through every interaction with an inspector to make sure you are a part of the Luke strategy for a great inspection.