Why We Have In-Ranks Inspections

In-ranks inspections matter because standards matter. All standards matter.

Who do we have inspections? Because everyone in uniform is expected to at least meet if not exceed a written standard. Some standards directly link to a life or lives of others. Other standards link to those standards.

You can’t enforce standards if you aren’t inspecting them.

Professor Flag, DeVaughn Simper

What does linked standards mean?

A simple standard, ensuring all the buttons on your uniform are all buttoned, is linked to ensuring your warehouse is clean and organized so that those who process thru your warehouse to be issued necessary equipment as they deploy down range, receive everything in working order. That is linked to the crew chief turning his F-16 can rely on the fuels tech to be there for a hot turnaround and the pilot can rely on everyone on the ground. The Navy Doc can rest assured his supplies are ready to go with his platoon. The admin personnel have what they need so that they can also concentrate on their jobs. Everything is linked. Every single standard matters and it all begins with drill and ceremonies as our foundation because we need to learn how to march to the inspection area, stand at Attention, and perform that seemingly insignificant task of buttoning all those buttons.

We used to say “If you don’t know if your blouse is buttoned, then you probably don’t know how many rounds are in your magazine.”

Will Pendragon, USMC veteran

Everything we do is based on standards and they are all linked. Some people don’t get that. They are the ones who make excuses for not meeting them.

Photos are hanks to our Polish friends at @dowodztwo_garnizonu_warszawa on Instagram.