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Inspector General - Unit
Self-Assessments and Subordinate Unit Inspections
Suggestions
SUIs are conducted to assist squadron, group and wing
staff in assessing a unit's strengths and weaknesses, and to ensure
that the unit is in compliance with regulations. This information is
then used to assist the unit in strengthening its weaknesses and
improving on its strengths. When a unit is not in compliance with
regulations, that unit must correct the deficiencies within a
specified time frame.
The Unit Self-Assessment (USA) Guide is very similar
to the SUI Guide. It is essentially a tool for unit commanders and
staff to assess their unit's strengths, weaknesses, and compliance
with regulations prior to an inspection. If used as intended, the
USAs can assist a unit in achieving a minimum overall rating of
successful in all Tabs (or sections) in the SUI Guide
that are operational in the unit. Unit staff members need to ask the hard
questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why and How, especially those
that appear to be yes/no questions. Look at the unit's records and
files. Are they in compliance with regulations? If not, use cadet
officers to assist in bringing them up to standard. This is a great
way for a cadet officer to complete a required Staff Duty Analysis (SDA).
The USA can be used as a training and activity tool for all the areas
operational in the unit. Let's use Emergency Services as an
example. Is the unit in contact with local SAR/DR agencies? If not,
it can be a great unit activity to contact those folks, make the
unit known to them, then determine whether the unit can participate
in any of their training activities. The local county emergency
management office is a great place to start. The unit may also
contact local law enforcement, fire, and EMS services. As an added
benefit, having cadets participate in a training activity with a
local emergency services agency can be used to answer some of the
questions in the Cadet Programs area.
Another example is Aerospace Education. Have the unit
contact some local schools, public or private. Upon completion of
that task, the AE officer has completed a requirement for advancing
in that specialty. It also answers the question concerning
activities the unit is involved in towards making the public
aware of CAP's AE program. The unit may find some teachers who wish
to join as AE members. A new school squadron might even be started.
Caution: Be sure and coordinate with
your group level staff officer when conducting joint ES
exercises. Also, it is a good idea to keep group informed when contacting
schools regarding the Cadet School Program. Group staff can be
a tremendous asset to the squadron.
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