• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

IG to assess OIF equipment and readiness

Marine Corps News

Story Identification #: 200542011921
Story by Staff Sgt. Michael Reed

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait (April 20, 2005) -- The Inspector General of the Marine Corps, Maj. Gen. David F. Bice arrived here this week accompanied by a team of 10 mission specific military occupational specialty Marines, in preparation to visiting Marine Corps units in Iraq, and provide an assessment of OIF equipment and readiness.

According to Col. Kevin Scott, director, Readiness Division, the focus of the trip, is to ensure the component commander has the equipment he needs to complete assigned missions.

The Inspector General of the Marine Corps promotes Marine Corps combat readiness, integrity, efficiency, effectiveness, and credibility through impartial and independent inspections, assessments, inquiries, and investigations.

The mission of the Readiness Section of the IG is to conduct short/no notice visits to selected commands to identify systemic issues and policies impacting unit operational readiness and/or mission accomplishment.

“This visit is an assessment of the gear, not an assessment of the unit,” stressed Scott. “We want to get an honest assessment on the state of the gear.”

According to Maj. Walt Shihinski, ordnance maintenance officer, Marine Corps Forces Central Command, we want to assess the overall material condition of the equipment, and determine if we have requisite number of mechanics, and spare parts to sustain the force throughout the campaign.

The process has changed explained Scott, for someone who has been around for more than 10 years, they know the IG as the guys who came around and gave an adverse report of your stewardship.

“It was maybe 10 years ago, we changed,” said Scott. “We no longer do inspections, we do assessments.”

According to Scott, because this is an equipment assessment, the Marines assembled for this trip have an expertise in communication, supply administration, logistics, heavy equipment, motor transportation, ordnance, and engineer equipment, because that is where our focus is.

Although the IG has a deadline of May 30 to provide a report to the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Scott stated “the timeline is task orientated, not time orientated.” If we find we need more time to make a proper and thorough assessment, then we will ask for more time.

The IGMC, just as all Marines, are committed to serving our Nation and Corps in their statutory responsibilities of providing Marine forces trained, ready to fight, and positioned to win our Nation's battles.

By carrying out their mission, they ensure the highest standards of ethical leadership, integrity and Quality of Life for our Marines, Sailors, civilian Marines, and their families.

“The end product of this assessment should be the Marines deployed out here will see better availability, and reliability of their gear, and have the equipment and tools they need to do their jobs,” said Scott.