Are you ready for the CUI?

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Kimberly Tooman
  • 314th Maintenance Group deputy group commander
The 314th Airlift Wing just went through a Consolidated Unit Inspection (otherwise known as a CUI) in December 2012. The results were "Excellent" across the board in every unit.

That grade just proved to the rest of the world what I already knew...the 314th Airlift Wing has outstanding maintainers and aircrew that produce the world's best aircrew to fly the C-130H and C-130J aircraft on a daily basis. It took a lot of hard work and effort from everyone in both the 314th and 19th Airlift Wings to show the inspectors what a great team we have here at Little Rock Air Force Base.
 
The 19th Airlift Wing is scheduled for a CUI this September. But what is a CUI, how is it conducted, why do we have them?

A Consolidated Unit Inspection, previously known as a Unit Compliance Inspection, combines and synchronizes many different MAJCOM and Air Force-level inspections, evaluations, and assessments into one time period. Some of the types of inspections MAJCOMs can conduct during a CUI are an ESOHCAMP (Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Compliance Assessment and Management Program), LCAP (Logistics Compliance Assessment Program), and an ASEV (Aircrew Standardization and Evaluation) inspection. Most Active Duty units will be inspected every 2 years with inspections alternating between compliance and a readiness emphasis.

The Inspector General has also implemented Inspector General Evaluation Management System also known as IGEMS . IGEMS is an electronic tool that enables the IG to effectively and efficiently conduct inspections from beginning to end. This tool can help the IG plan and schedule the overall inspection as well as each of the components. IGEMS can also save the inspectors time for inspections because some inspections, for example SORTS (Status of Resources and Training), can even be done remotely without an inspector ever coming to the base. And finally, the IG can use it to track the discrepancy status after an inspection is completed. Most minor deficiencies will be closed at the wing commander level and any Significant or Critical deficiencies are usually closed out at the Inspector General level. A goal for every unit should be not to have any Significant or Critical deficiencies as well as no repeat discrepancies.

While the IG uses IGEMS, the units will use MICT (Management Internal Control Toolset) to prepare for the inspection. IGEMS is a web-based program that is used by everyone at all levels of the chain of command to track and manage inspectable programs as well as track any discrepancies the unit finds during preparation. Program administrators at the squadron, group, and wing levels as well any individual that has been given permissions, can access appropriate checklists and program requirements.
 
By using MICT, the units can conduct their self-inspection checklists as well as other locally-developed checklists for later viewing by unit leadership and inspection teams. Since MICT is web-based, inspectors can access a particular base's checklists in preparation for the inspections. Inspectors can see what the unit is doing well and what needs to be corrected before the inspectors arrive. This helps to streamline the inspection because they can be focused on specific areas during the inspection and ultimately results in the need for fewer inspectors.

The purpose of the CUI is to evaluate units for efficiency and effectiveness, combat readiness and compliance of units with Air Force regulations. The purpose of developing a consolidated inspection was to give everyone time back in their schedules, sometimes known as "whitespace" on their calendars. By combining the inspections, it helps the wings focus on one inspection instead of the wing getting "nickel and dimed" by multiple ones spread out at various times throughout the year. It also reduces TDY costs for the IG team by streamlining the inspection process to reduce the amount of inspection time and the number of inspectors.

After the inspection is completed, the MAJCOM IG will provide the Wing with an assessment and grade. The grade can range from an Outstanding, Excellent, or Satisfactory down to a Marginal or Unsatisfactory. CUIs serve one primary purpose: ensure the wing is ready to perform its combat mission, anytime, anyplace. As current fiscal constraints continue to affect the way the military does business, it becomes imperative to find more efficient ways to perform required functions. The move to a Consolidated Unit Inspection is an efficiency improvement for the IG. So as the 19th Airlift Wing readies itself for the inspection coming this fall, bear in mind the purpose of the inspection and then demonstrate to the AMC IG team that they are visiting the finest Airlift Wing in the world.