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Consolidated Unit Inspection one year away: Damiano-"Set your goals high and never stop improving"

  • Published
  • By Col. Mark Damiano
  • 17th Training Wing
GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  This Sunday, Nov. 18, marks exactly one year from the Consolidated Unit Inspection; specifically, we will be inspected Nov. 18-25, 2013.

A CUI is the new term used for several simultaneous inspections. We had one in 2011 with the Compliance inspection, Logistics Compliance Assessment Program and Environmental Safety and Occupational Health Compliance Assessment and Management Program. We did very well in our 2011 inspection with an overall Wing "Excellent" rating...I am confident we can do even better. We must always strive to improve and do better than the past; whether you inherited a program or are running the same program from 2011; constant improvement must be pursued. There are several aphorisms that come to mind: think outside the box, don't get stuck in a paradigm, if you're not moving up you are falling down. I am sure you can think of more. If you received an "Outstanding" rating in 2011, congratulations! Now strive to achieve another one and kick it up a notch by garnering more "strengths" or a professional performer award in 2013. If you received an "Excellent" rating then strive for an "Outstanding." I think you get my point. We are the greatest Air Force and Nation in the world because we do not succumb to a "status quo" mindset; set your goals high and never stop improving.

Next week and every week after until our CUI, you will receive "CUI Tips of the Week" that will assist you in achieving success. I expect every member of Goodfellow to read and digest this information and act on it accordingly. Additionally, many programs overlap different squadrons or agencies so we must all work in concert to foster a cooperative effort in tackling issues. I expect everyone from Airman Basic to Colonel to stay focused.

During our CUI we can expect more than 100 inspectors who will take a long hard look at our programs. Being inspected is nothing new to us; those with experience must pass it on, those who have never been through an inspection must ask a lot of questions of those with experience. If you see someone struggling you must help them, teach them and foster a "never stop improving" mindset.

We need to run our checklists, tighten up what needs to be tightened and make sure everything is documented. In the inspections world there is a saying "if it is not documented it did not happen," so double check your documentation and lets hit a home run.

My number one expectation for all of you is no repeat deficiencies. We will implement a process similar to 2011, by validating previous deficiencies to ensure they are not "re-broken." This will ensure there are no repeats...everyone is responsible and accountable for this.

There is an old saying, "it takes a village to raise a child." Well, it takes every last one of you for our Wing to achieve an "Outstanding," so let's pull together and make it happen.