Former ORI inspector provides valuable insight for Team MacDill members: pay attention to detail

  • Published
  • By Nick Stubbs
  • Thunderbolt Editor
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  There's no substitute for experience, which is why former inspector Tony Bradley, 6th Civil Engineer Squadron emergency response manager, is a valuable resource going into this Operational Readiness Inspection.

The retired chief master sergeant spent six years as an inspector general augmentee, taking part in numerous ORIs during his time on the job. In the run-up to the ORI Team MacDill will undergo, he's provided those participating with a look inside the mind of an inspector.

"Our main pet peeve as inspectors is attention to detail when it comes to proper wear of MOPP gear," Mr. Bradley said. "In the last minutes (of putting gear on) it is easy to forget have Velcro fastened and strings tied."

Consistency is the key, he added, noting that inspectors look for wings and members of a base following the same procedures. Another factor is whether participants act as good "buddies," ensuring each looks out for the other by checking MOPP gear for them.

"Do they turn to their buddies and check them out? is one of the things inspectors are looking for," said Mr. Bradley. "That's important."

Another key factor ORI participants must consider is "attitude."

"This is not an exercise, it's an inspection," said Mr. Bradley. "They have to realize they are being evaluated, and that means maintaining realism and taking it seriously that they need to act as if they are in a real environment."

Other factors that will help participants through the inspection is remembering simple things, such as ensuring canteens have water, ensuring tasks are completed on time, and how to answer questions if an inspector asks them.

"They (participants) are expected to have an Airman's Manual and use it to look up an answer if they don't have it memorized," said Mr. Bradley, who added there is no penalty for looking up answers. "Sometimes Airmen will try to impress the inspectors by trying to show they have the answer memorized, but it is better to look it up than ramble and try to answer a question you don't really have the answer to; no one is expected to know all the answers by heart."