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With clear guidance from the commanding general of the 21st Theater Sustainment
Command, key leaders instituted a program recently that focuses on 21 functional areas and examines systems, equipment and processes to ensure Soldier readiness.
“We are an Army of standards,” Maj. Gen. Yves Fontaine told his primary staff as he described his vision for what would become the 21st TSC’s Leader Terrain Walk program.
***image1***Led by General Fontaine, the LTW tests all assigned 21st TSC battalions on their proficiency in 21 functional areas. The battalions are inspected on a rotational basis with 21st TSC command inspectors assisting the commanding general as he crosses the command.
The 21st TSC operations officer is responsible for managing the program. The 21st TSC Inspector General’s office provides technical assistance, and all staff sections provide inspectors in individual functional areas for inspections.
Areas inspected include an in-ranks inspection, a company area walk-through and a billets area walk-through. Additionally, standard Soldier readiness and operational areas are covered to include a maintenance management terrain walk, arms room compliance inspection, supply management compliance, seven areas of personnel administration, physical and personnel security compliance, computer security and communications equipment compliance, and five Soldier training and operational readiness areas.
“We strive to make our Leader Terrain Walk inspection program dynamic and purposeful,” said Lt. Col. Brad Hixon, the 21st TSC inspector general, who uses AR 1-201, Army Inspection Policy, as the base regulation for the 21st TSC inspection program.
To ensure consistency and sharpen their skills as leaders, each of the staff section inspectors are trained on the basic inspection principles by Colonel Hixon and his office and then certified in their specific functional areas by the staff section’s primary leadership.
“The inspector general training provides the potential staff inspectors with a solid base of knowledge that all inspectors should commit to their professional kit bag,” Colonel Hixon said. “The training encompasses the five basic principles that are the cornerstone of a good inspection program. They are purposeful inspections, coordinated inspections, inspections focused on feedback, instructive inspections and inspection follow up.”
Inspectors receive training on command inspections, staff inspections and inspector general inspections. Inspectors learn how to properly plan for, develop a concept for and resource an inspection prior to visiting a unit. Inspectors are taught how to conduct the unit visit portion of the inspection and how to analyze their findings and crosswalk issues with appropriate agencies. Instruction includes how to prepare a written report of findings and how to create a positive inspection environment, which allow for follow-up inspections as required. A short quiz is provided to allow the inspectors the opportunity to validate the information they receive.
Staff section training builds upon the inspector general training and provides the inspectors the opportunity to research regulatory and policy guidance that pertains to their functional area. Staff section training also provides the oppor-tunity for inspectors to validate their inspection information – gathering sources such as
training observation requirements, required document review lists and key personnel interview requirements.
“The leaders and Soldiers are prepared, the inspectors are trained and ready and the forecast looks good for a relevant and successful inspection program,” said Colonel Hixon.
(Courtesy of 21st Theater Sustainment Command Public Affairs)
