V20140101-1.0.

The Role of the Inspector and Ethical Challenges

Your Role
Your role as an inspector is to validate the effectiveness of a unit. Your
primary role is not training. As an inspector, you will undoubtedly find a
deficiency in a unit or program. However, you cannot assume that the root cause
creating the problem is always training. AFI 90-201, Attachment 7 lists the
following seven major deficiency cause categories.

Equipment/Tools
Guidance
Leadership/Supervision
Resource shortfall
Safety
Training
Human factors

It is the units responsibility to determine the root cause and based on that
root cause implement appropriate counter-measures. If you as an inspector assume
the root cause is training and attempt to train the problem away, you are
potentially hurting the unit by only putting a band aid on the symptom and not
treating the root cause. In addition, if you attempt to train the problem away and
dont report it, you make it impossible to do accurate trend analysis across a wing,
MAJCOM, or the Air Force.
Remember, your job is to be an evaluator, not a trainer. You are a sensor that
is always on the lookout for:

Waste
Discipline
Process improvement
Compliance
Performance

V20140101-1.0.0

Ethical Challenges
Some common ethical challenges that inspectors fall into while conducting
inspections are:
Personal Relationships
Improper Influence
Inspector Empathy
Personal/Professional Relationships
The AF is small and getting smaller all the time. As such, there is a high
likelihood that you will eventually inspect personnel you have some sort of
relationship with. This situation can be a double-edged sword. If you have a
positive personal or professional relationship with an inspectee, you may be
inclined to go easy on them or give them the benefit of the doubt when determining
if something is a deficiency. This is a natural human reaction; however, you have
to guard against it and not let it cloud your professional judgment as an inspector.
Sometimes an inspector will be so concerned about the perception of favoritism
with a former associate they will be overzealous in their attempt to counter that
perception. This results in them being much harder on a former associate than
someone they had no previous relationship with.
If you have a negative personal or professional relationship with an
inspectee, do not use the inspection as an opportunity for revenge or payback.
Again, you cannot let these negative feelings cloud your judgment.
Improper Influence
During the course of an inspection, you will interact with other inspectors,
your team chief, as well as the members of the unit being inspected. On rare
occasions, these various individuals may attempt to influence you improperly
because they have some personal agenda they are attempting to pursue. When this
situation arises, present the facts and make recommendations based on your best
professional judgment and do not succumb to the improper influence. Remember

V20140101-1.0.0

to maintain your integrity no matter what. Some examples of improper influence

are:
A team chief trying to drive the inspection results a certain direction
rather than allowing the inspection data to drive the results.
The inspected organization trying to get you to not report something or to
down grade the severity of a deficiency.
Inspector Empathy
Many inspectors assigned at the MAJCOM-level have just come from the field and
understand very well the difficulties of meeting all AF standards these days. While
this task may be difficult or challenging, that is not reason enough for an inspector
to look the other way and not report what they see. In fact, an inspector may be
doing the unit a disservice by not reporting what they find. For example, if
deficiencies exist because of poor guidance or lack of resources, not reporting the
deficiencies prevents the root cause from being identified and corrective actions
implemented. This means the unit will continue to work under less than ideal
conditions because the problem was never identified to senior leaders who have the
authority to correct the situation.
Consequences of Unethical Inspector Behavior
If you as an inspector succumb to the challenges just discussed, the
consequences on a unit and the AF at-large can be very serious. For example:
- It may give senior leaders a false impression (good or bad) of a units true
capabilities. This can result in no corrective actions being taken when warranted or
resources expended on a problem that doesnt exist.
- People may get hurt or killed or equipment may be seriously damaged
because negative behaviors were not corrected.
- Federal laws, international laws/treaties, and agreements may be violated.

V20140101-1.0.0

IG Code of Conduct
Many of the situations discussed above will create gray areas for you as an
inspector. The IG Code of Conduct was established to provide you with a set of
ethical principles to guide your actions and decisions when you encounter these
gray areas.
IG Code of Conduct
I am an inspector in the U.S. Air Force and will embody our core values of
Integrity, Service, and Excellence
I will conduct the most efficient and effective inspection in accordance
with established rules, regulations, laws, policies and standards
I will be the expert in my field and will remain current and knowledgeable
of the mission and career field of those I inspect
I will not accept any gifts or special favors from those I inspect
I will never discredit the IG system or my fellow inspectors as a result of
my behavior or appearance
Summary
Remember, your role as an inspector is to observe, evaluate, and report
what you find. You will face several ethical challenges unique to the role of an
inspector. However, your personal integrity is vital to the credibility of the AFIS.
Failure to carry out your responsibilities ethically can have grave consequences
for the AF.