All naval activities are inspected periodically to determine their state of proficiency. The objectives of the Naval Command Inspection Program (NCIP) is to ensure the readiness, effectiveness, and efficiency of commands and units and to assess the quantity, quality, and management of resources available to perform their assigned missions. The basic requirements and guidelines for command inspections applicable to all activities of the Navy's shore establishment, operating forces, and portions of the Navy Department commanded by the CNO are contained in Naval Command Inspection Program, OPNAVINST 5040.7. This instruction establishes the objectives and policies of the program and assigns respective responsibilities. It also provides procedures for the preparation, conduct, reporting, and follow-up of NCIP inspections.

The NCIP's basic concept is that inspections of subordinate commands and units are conducted periodically by the immediate superior in command (ISIC) or the immediate unit commander (IUC). When both administrative and operational commanders are involved, the inspection responsibility is that of the administrative ISIC or IUC.

Figure 3-1.-PQS progress chart.

Inspections bring to light incorrect or improper practices or unsatisfactory conditions that cannot be minimized. They should not be considered as fault-finding operations, as they are conducted to point out existing discrepancies and to suggest methods for improving readiness, effectiveness, efficiency, responsiveness, and economy. Commendable conditions and praiseworthy accomplishments should be noted and discussed with appropriate personnel. Innovations of techniques, maintenance procedures, resource utilization, and administrative procedures should also be noted and discussed with appropriate personnel.

This section discusses inspection definitions, mine warfare inspections, and inspection preparations.

INSPECTION DEFINITIONS

In its broadest sense, the term inspection includes not only command inspections but also the efforts of all inspection authorities within the Department of the Navy who periodically evaluate commands. Inspections are subject to general supervision, general guidance, and coordination by the Navy Inspector General (NAVINSGEN). In general, specific appraisal action terms concerning inspections are defined in the following paragraphs.

0 Inspection. An inspection is a critical, official, and formal examination of a command's personnel and/or material to determine the personnel or material's condition or how effectively it can perform the assigned mission. The examination is imposed by higher authority and is conducted or sanctioned by the chain of command. The results of the examination are reported to higher authority, and a follow-up system is involved to ensure that problem areas have been resolved.

Certification. A certification is an examination of personnel or material to officially endorse the personnel or material as being of the desired quality.

Request Assist Visit. A request assist visit is a critical and official, but informal, examination of personnel or material to determine the condition of the unit and how effectively it can perform the assigned mission. This visit is made at the request of the commanding officer or officer-in-charge. It may be made by organizations inside or outside the chain of command. The results are reported only to the commanding officer or officer-in-charge for internal use. If a senior in the chain of command directs that an assist visit be made and requires a report of the results, the visit will be considered as an inspection and the authority to conduct the inspection will be requested from the FLTCINC or the ISIC.

Audit. An audit is an examination of records or accounts. It may be part of an inspection or an inspection in itself for NCIP purposes. It should not be confused with an internal audit conducted by the Naval Audit Service.

Follow-Up. A follow-up is the process of ensuring that a command is taking adequate action on an approved recommendation contained in an inspection or audit report.