There are many types of inspections with which you may become involved. They range (1) from personnel inspections to zone inspections conducted by your command, and (2) from administrative inspections to operational readiness inspections conducted by higher authority. Although each type of inspection concerns a command's effectiveness, this section discusses only some of the inspections conducted by the COMINEWARCOM and the Commander, Mobile Mine Assembly Groups (COMOMAG), especially mine readiness certification inspections and assist visits.

As outlined in Inspection Guide for MOMAG Unit and Detachment Command Inspection, COMOMAG/MOMAGINST 5040.1, COMOMAG command inspections examine a command's ability to accomplish its assigned mission in the following five areas:

1. General. Evaluates the mission and functions, tasks, and resources adequacy and management (including personnel, facilities, equipment, supplies, training, and funding); coordination with other commands; effectiveness of plans and current operations; contingence y operational plans; and known deficiencies or problem areas.

2. Administrative. Determines whether organizational and administrative methods and procedures established by higher authority are being followed. These inspections are directed toward maximum readiness.

3. Supply. Determines whether the supply department is effectively carrying out its assigned functions and tasks in accordance with directives established by higher authority.

4. Maintenance and Material. Determines the condition and adequacy of MHE, machinery, and facilities.

5. Items of Special Interest. Determines certain items that are of special interest to the Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) and the CNO. These items are published as an OPNAVNOTE 5040 by the NAVINSGEN at the beginning of each fiscal year.

In addition to the above inspection areas, a COMOMAG command inspection may check for the following items:

*Adequacy and condition of personnel clothing and equipment.

*Appearance, bearing, and smartness of personnel.

*Assignment of personnel to work areas, watches, and special duties.

Cleanliness, sanitation, smartness, and appearance of the command.

Comfort and conveniences of living spaces.

Dissemination of information within the command.

General educational facilities for personnel.

General knowledge of personnel in regard to the command's organization, regulations, orders, and administrative procedures.

General military training (GMT) and OJT programs.

Indoctrination of newly reported personnel.

Proper maintenance of stockpiled weapons and associated equipment and upkeep of maintenance records.

Proper posting of operating instructions and safety precautions.

Mine Readiness Certification Inspections

Just as an operational readiness inspection (ORI) evaluates the readiness and capability of a ship to perform its assigned mission under wartime conditions, a mine readiness certification inspection (MRCI) evaluates the capability of a MOMAG activity to assemble mines under the same conditions. Therefore, the COMINEWARCOM is tasked by the CNO to assess and assure mine warfare (MIW) readiness throughout the Navy.

To accomplish this task, the Commander, Mine Warfare Inspection Group (COMINEWARINSGRU), under the direction of the COMINEWARCOM, conducts or assists in conducting MIW certification inspections of all commands or units assigned MIW missions. The inspections are conducted in accordance with the Mine Warfare Readiness Certification Inspection (MRCI) Program, OPNAVINST C5040.15. These certification inspections are scheduled and conducted in an operational environment, permitting realistic assessments and evaluations of a command's operational readiness with respect to its mine warfare techniques, procedures, tactics, doctrine, training, and resources management.

MIW inspections for certification are conducted at MOMAG activities at intervals considered appropriate by FLTCINCs, but not exceeding intervals of 24 months. When an inspection team arrives, a letter of instruction (LOI) is presented to the commanding officer or officer-in-charge to prepare specific mines assigned to that activity's stockpile. The activity is then evaluated with respect to its procedures involving the upgrade operations of the designated mines. Upon completion of the assembly aspect of the inspection, a post analysis is conducted on the mines to check the effectiveness of procedures and the operating efficiency.

In addition to evaluating a command's upgrading operations and capabilities, the inspection team also checks the following areas:

Security

Facilities

Training programs

Personnel, material, and supply management Assist Visits

Informal assist visits are conducted by members of COMINEWARINSGRU on an "as-requested" and "as-available" basis. An assist visit will not be scheduled within 60 days of a scheduled MRCI. They may be intraservice or interservice visits. An informal report will be provided to the commanding officer or officer-in-charge of the inspected activity and to the ISIC. Requests for assist visits should be made directly to the COMINEWARINSGRU.