My challenge to you: Put some "UMPH!" in your attitude, readiness for UCI

  • Published
  • By Lt. Col. Gene Mattingly
  • 100th Communications Squadron commander
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  The Unit Compliance Inspection is nearly upon us, and it's time to give it the "UMPH!"

So, what's the UMPH! I hear you ask? Well, it's an acronym I made up a number of years ago, while preparing for a previous UCI.

Some may think of the weightlifter giving it that extra effort, like when I was a youngster watching "ABC Wild World of Sports" and those giants of men performing the 400-plus-pound clean and jerk, or watching Olympic sprinters performing the 100 meters and the effort, the "UMPH!" they give it. Can you see the UMPH! on their faces -- those world class athletes?

Well, to me the UMPH! in preparation for the UCI is what I call being, "United Mightily Performing Highly!," and the time has come. From what I've witnessed, we're United in our desire to do well, and to have all the "i"s dotted and all the "t"s crossed. United Mightily because we have all put our very best efforts into preparations. In a mighty way we want to be successful as a wing. Performing Highly is the way of doing daily business around the 100th Air Refueling Wing, and I sense we'll prove our high level of performance via this UCI. I've come to accept that performing highly is a way of life at RAF Mildenhall, and I'm proud to serve as a member of the team giving the UMPH!

One of the most important aspects of execution during the UCI is our collective attitudes. Have you ever heard the saying, "one bad apple spoils the bunch?"

I'm sure we've all heard that old saying. Well, it can't be truer than when it comes to inspections and the perception of the inspectors. I know there can be 10 professionals in the 100th Communications Squadron not only proficient in their respective work centers, but having an attitude that reflects the same (such as standing and greeting inspectors, smiling and being cordial).

But, have that one Airmen not render proper customs and courtesies and guess who the inspector will remember? That's right, you know it's "the one bad apple."

Agree or not, it's been my experience for my nearly 25 years of active duty service, whether wearing stripes or wearing brass, we all have a responsibility to reflect an unyielding positive attitude during our UCI. For that reason, I challenge us all to put some UMPH! in our attitudes.

I recently shared a quote with my squadron. American scientist Edward B. Butler said, "One person has enthusiasm for 30 minutes, another for 30 days, but it takes the person who has it for 30 years who makes a success of his life."

As the UCI kicks off, bring your "A-game" of enthusiasm -- it makes a difference.

I've lived it, I'm not just talking about it. As a young Airman, I received numerous awards for not only excellence, but for having a positive attitude with the inspectors. The following is an excerpt from a letter of commendation I received in 1990 from the Director, Aircraft Inspection, Inspector General:

"I wish to express my appreciation, along with that of the members of the Platinum Team, to Senior Airman Wayne E. Mattingly. His support to the SAC Inspector General personnel during the Jan. 16 to 25, 1990, inspection of the 380th Bombardment Wing ... he performed in a truly superior manner. His expert ability, cheerful attitude, and willingness to work long hours made the job easier for my team of inspectors."

I'm convinced that it was the cheerful attitude that made the real difference. Anyone can bring expert ability to bear in the workplace, and working long hours, but a cheerful attitude, enthusiasm for the work at hand - that's priceless! I find it a priceless quality in the young Airmen, NCOs and officers I work with 20 years later.

Don't get me wrong, expertise is paramount. We don't just complete self-inspection checklists because we enjoy it so much; we run those checklists to ensure we are in compliance with our AFI's, OI's, and other policy guidance.

A favorite proverb of mine reads, "It is not good to have zeal without knowledge." So knowing our business, the specifications outlined in our governing directives is what makes us the world's best fighting force. We can't arbitrarily decide how much tension to place on that bolt on the aircraft, walk away from a SIPRnet terminal or place accouterments wherever we want to on our uniforms. These are only a few notional examples. We all get the idea. We work by a standard, a higher level of proficiency and lives often depend on us being in compliance.

It is amazing to me how many self-inspection checklist items we have as a whole across the wing, and it is rather daunting. But together, United Mightily Performing Highly!, we will be successful during our upcoming UCI. Our success will stem from our commitment to our core values as well, Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do!

One final note, dare I say, is that we need to "act as though it were impossible to fail" with this inspection. I'm sure when Navy Seal Team 6 headed into Pakistan recently, they weren't thinking failure -- they were thinking success!

Quite possibly this idea of acting as though it were impossible to fail is back to embracing a good attitude and enthusiasm, but I think it's also about pride in our collective efforts.

I'm proud to be a member of Team Mildenhall and proud to do my part to help my wingmen be successful.

Like my fellow commanders, I'm confident we're ready. We've spent countless hours in preparation, and now it's time to give it the UMPH!

So, strut your stuff 100th ARW!