or from the leading petty officer. Keys to supply spaces should be in the custody of the personnel who  are  responsible  for  those  storerooms. INSPECTIONS The  inspections  in  the  supply  department include  supply  management  assessment  (SMA), personnel  and  shipwide.  As  the  leading  petty officer,   you   should   make   sure   your   spaces, personnel,   and   records   are   always   ready   for inspection. SUPPLY   MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT The  SMA,  which  is  an  integral  part  of  the Fleet Command Inspection Program described in OPNAVINST  5040.12,  is  a  periodic  evaluation of  an  operating  unit’s  supply  department.  The inspections   are   scheduled   by   immediate   unit commanders  (IUCs)  according  to  the  frequency established by the cognizant fleet commander in chief.  Such  inspections  are  conducted  by  type commander inspection teams that are requested and  coordinated  by  the  IUCs.  The  IUC  is responsible for notifying the commanding officer of  the  unit  to  be  inspected  24  hours  in  advance of   the   scheduled   inspection.   The   primary objectives  of  each  inspection  are  the  following: 1. Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of supply  department  functions  in  support  of  the operating  unit’s  assigned  mission(s) 2.  Determine  the  adequacy  and  quality  of resources (that is, personnel, funds, facilities, or equipment)  available  to  the  supply  department 3.  Assess  the  effect  of  any  resource  or administrative deficiencies on the unit’s ability to perform  its  mission(s) 4.  Recommend,  via  the  chain  of  command, appropriate  action  to  correct  deficiencies Inspection  Reports The inspecting officer will prepare an inspec- tion report describing conditions disclosed during inspection.   The   report   will   include   both unsatisfactory and meritorious conditions noted. In addition, inspecting officers are encouraged to include in   their report recommended modifications  or  changes  that,  in  their  opinion, will  improve  supply  effectiveness  at  the  shipboard or  fleet  level.  The  inspection  report  will  be prepared  and  submitted  as  prescribed  by  the  IUC. Preparation for Supply Management Assessments Probably the best place to start preparing for an SMA is the report of the last inspection, since this will no doubt be one of the items checked by the   inspecting   officer.   Were   all   discrepancies corrected?  Are  current  supply  procedures  in  effect to prevent recurrence? This is the 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  department. Another  source  of  information  is  the  in- spection   checkoff   list   which   is   frequently distributed  before  the  inspection.  By  using  this and  the  report  of  the  last  inspection,  you  can conduct   your   own   inspection   far   enough   in advance so that deficient areas can be corrected. Preparing for the inspection will produce the best results when you use it as an opportunity to step back and take a good, hard, objective look at the operations  of  your  department.  In  this  way  you will be able to see it much as the inspecting officer will  and  make  improvements  where  they  are needed. To obtain a more realistic objective, you may  prefer  to  ask  an  officer  or  a  senior  petty officer  from  another  supply  department  to conduct   your   “reinspection.” When   all   supply   functions   are   adequately staffed and supervised, the supply management inspection   should   not   cause   a   “panic   button” situation  since  the  best  way  to  prepare  for inspection is to stay ready. This requires that you give  proper  attention  to  all  jobs  for  which  you are  responsible,  and  it  must  be  constant  attention rather  than  once  a  year. PERSONNEL INSPECTIONS Personnel  inspections  are  time-consuming  but are   necessary   to   present   a   sharp   looking command,  department,  or  division.  These  types of  inspections  are  held  either  periodically  or  daily. Commanding  Officer  Inspections The  commanding  officers  of  commands  will usually hold a personnel inspection once a quarter. These  inspections  can  be  held  in  a  variety  of uniforms. These types of inspections will also be held upon the change of commanding officers or for  an  administration  inspection.  As  the  first  class or  chief,  you  should  make  sure  your  people  are completely   ready   at   least   a   week   before   the inspection. 1-15