An inspection should not take your command by surprise. The best preparation for an inspection is to perform daily work assignments and requirements without errors. Preparation for the next inspection actually begins the day the last inspection ends. You are required to correct any discrepancies noted during an inspection as soon as possible. Some of these discrepancies may be corrected immediately, whereas others may take time because of administrative or logistics situations. In addition, you should review and take into consideration any recommendations submitted by the inspection team, regardless of whether the recommendations are official or unofficial.

When you are preparing for an inspection, check the results from the last inspection. The last inspection report is a logical place to start, not only because it will be checked by the inspecting officer, but also because it points out former weaknesses in the command. Make sure that your command has corrected or acted upon all listed discrepancies from the last report. If any discrepancies have not been corrected, make a note as to the reason why; the inspectors will ask about them.

Other sources of information for the preparation of inspections are the inspection checklists and guides. Although primarily intended for COMOMAG command inspections, COMOMAG/MOMAGINST 5040.1 provides a list of areas that may also be checked during an MIW certification inspection or assist visit. OPNAVINST C5040.15 provides a chart of general areas to be inspected during an MRCI.

As a Mineman, you are considered as the professional source concerning operations involving the assembly, handling, and maintenance of mines and their associated equipments. However, since the Mineman rating involves more than just working with mines, you should contact personnel from other ratings or areas for assistance in preparing for an inspection. For example, a Yeoman may suggest a more efficient way of performing administrative matters, or a Storekeeper may advise you if your basic supply procedures are within the requirements of the Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUPSYSCOM). In addition, you can conduct your own preinspection within the command, as personnel from one division of the command can inspect another division, specific area, or operation.

Remember the following two important factors:

1. DO NOT wait until the last minute to prepare for an inspection. That is usually too late.

2. DO NOT rely on your own self-check in areas for which you are normally responsible. You may be doing a task or a procedure wrong in the first place.

Finally, remember that the most important task of a Mineman is to prepare mines in support of mine warfare operations.

RECOMMENDED READING LIST Note: Although the following references were current when this TRAMAN was published, their continued currency cannot be assured. Therefore, you need to be sure that you are studying the latest revision.

Inspection Guide for MOMAG Unit and Detachment Command Inspection, COMOMAG/MOMAGINST 5040.1E, Commander, Mobile Mine Assembly Group, Charleston, S.C., 1992.

Mine Warfare Readiness Certification Inspection (MRCI) Program, OPNAVINST 5040.15C, Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C., 1987.

Minefield Planning Folder, MFPF 00, Commander, Mine Warfare Command, Charleston, S.C., 1992. Mining Operations, NWP 27-4(A), Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C., 1985.

Naval Command Inspection Program, OPNAVINST 5040.7K, Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C., 1989.

Operational Reports, NWP 10-1-10, Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C., 1987.

Personnel Qualifications Standards for Underwater Mine Assembly Upgrade, NAVEDTRA 43318, Naval Education and Training Support Center, Pacific, San Diego, Calif., 1986.

Reporting of Mine Assembly Capability and Readiness Status, COMOMAGIMOMAGINST 3501.11), Mobile Mine Assembly Group, Charleston, S.C., 1990.

Special Incident Reporting, OPNAVINST 3100.6F, Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C., 1991.

Standard Procedures for Initiating and Processing Work Orders, COMOMAGINST 4850.1A, Commander, Mobile Mine Assembly Group, Charleston, S.C., 1987.

Standard Production and Processing for Mines, COMOMAG/MOMAGINST 8550.12C, Commander, Mobile Mine Assembly Group, Charleston, S.C., 1992.

Status of Resources and Training Systems (SORTS), NWP 10-1-11(A), Chief of Naval Operations, Washington, D.C., 1987.