Commentary: How to take an inspection Published May 6, 2009 By Col. John P. Harris 18th Maintenance Group KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- Having weathered a few compliance inspections over the years--as both inspected and inspector--I'd like to pass along a few lessons. I'm sure they will reflect my maintenance background, but the concepts are basic to everyone. Some of these are simple and obvious, but are often things that we overlook because we're familiar with them. Remember, inspectors are seeing things for the first time. First, walk your turf. Know every inch of your facilities. Peek in every locker, closet or mobility bin. It's amazing how many disasters I've avoided just by looking around. Packrats abound and stuff accumulates so ask why it's there and what it does. Unless there's a compelling need to keep it, get rid of it. Be merciless. Every inspector builds an impression based upon basic customs and courtesies. If more than a couple of inspectors have concerns, they look harder for problems and that's how those dreaded comments about professionalism start. Customs and courtesies are the foundation of military service so they're more important than just saluting staff cars. It points to our professionalism--or lack of it. No wing with lackluster customs and courtesies typically earns better than a satisfactory rating. So, don't hesitate to call the area to attention even if you're not sure that it's required. Also, don't get too chummy with inspectors, even if they encourage it. As an inspector, I learned that I could get more in casual discussion than I ever could with my checklist so always be professional with inspectors. In any industrial setting, safety is another potential concern. Safety should always be on your scope but as the inspection gets closer, ramp it up. You might have literally hundreds of actions happening but inspectors only have to see a few to decide there's not enough emphasis on safety. That's another killer finding. An inspection is a game with rules. You should be ready to receive the inspector. You should already know what the inspector is going to focus on. You should know this because you've studied your last inspection report and eliminated the possibility of any repeat findings. You should have also analyzed recent reports and applicable special interest items. So have aircraft forms, training records, technical data or whatever's appropriate, ready. When I was an inspector and asked to see something, that was the cue for those being inspected to show me their best stuff. If what I saw wasn't ready or indicated that they didn't care, I dug more and usually found more. Back to relating to inspectors, now is not the time to purge guilt, doubts and past sins. Example: I recall observing a couple of Airmen using decontamination procedures that I had never seen before. Frankly, I was pretty impressed with what I saw, but when I talked to them all I heard about was how unhappy they were, how their bosses were unfair and how much they wanted to leave. Their responses led me to believe that their organization wasn't as good as I thought. Here are some simple rules: Always engage inspectors. Never let them walk around by themselves. Step up, introduce yourself and tell them what you're doing; don't make them guess. Escort them. Fix things on the spot and then immediately upchannel. Never argue with an inspector; you might be right but you still lose. In situations where they identify something that might become a finding, get your facts together and upchannel. There will be an opportunity to validate the finding with the inspectors later, and if you're right and they're wrong (it happens) that's where it will get sorted-out. Remember that inspectors don't have a lot of time; first impressions matter. The way your people look and act, their attitudes and professionalism count heavily in an inspector's mind. To borrow a phrase from one of my favorite movies, Galaxy Quest, "Never give up, never surrender." Keep engaging inspectors if they've found a problem. If they're wrong, show them the AFI or tech data. If they're right, fix it in front of them, bring them back later and show them or show them your planned corrective action. It could make a difference. Lastly, be respectful of inspectors but don't be afraid. Be confident. You and your people have worked hard and earned the highest grade.