Tips for ORI success

  • Published
  • By Col. Scott Vander Hamm
  • 28th Bomb Wing Commander
ELLSWORTH AIR FORCE BASE, S.D. --  In today's era of high operations tempo supporting the Global War on Terror and contingency operations around the globe, timeliness and quality of training is a key element to success. This training includes Operational Readiness Exercises and Inspections, which give us a chance to hone our combat skills while simultaneously preparing for adverse situations we may face in the deployed environment. 

With our Phase 1 ORI just around the corner, Chief Gillette and I see Team Ellsworth's hard work and dedication every day as we visit the many workcenters around our installation. The exemplary, can-do attitude of Ellsworth Airmen was especially evident during our last Operational Readiness Exercise. 

You proved we are ready then and I know we are ready now. I have every confidence that this wing will excel during our ORI. To ensure we showcase our combat capabilities to their fullest to the inspection team, I want to leave you with a few "tips for ORI success."

Attitude - Attitude is Everything. In sports, coaches use this phrase to motivate their teams; they encourage their players to visualize the win before the game is played. This visualization fosters an attitude where teams believe they will be successful from the outset. Take this message to heart and visualize how well you'll perform during the ORI before it starts. When the inspection begins, bring a positive attitude with you, and the framework will be set for exceptional performance during the ORI. 

Appearance - Look and Act Sharp. As you know, first impressions are lasting ones. Let's show the IG the tremendous things that we can do and look razor-sharp doing it. There's an old sports adage that teams should "look good [in uniform] in order to play good." Your leadership expects you to show pride in your appearance and look professional at all times, and we have no doubt you'll portray the best possible image to the inspectors. 

Preparation - Train the Way You're Going to Fight. It's well known that to achieve success in anything you must prepare properly. That's why athletic teams practice everyday for games, and why we've practiced so much through Operational Readiness Exercises. We've learned a lot about our existing processes and found better, more efficient ways to perform. There's nothing that the inspectors can throw at us next week that we're not prepared to handle. Simply know that you are ready and you're prepared to succeed. 

Teamwork - Work as a Team. It's a reality that those teams who work best together will succeed over those who do not work as well together. Working together, blending our tremendous talent, and capitalizing on our vast experiences will lead us to success. As part of this teamwork, the Airmen who have been through an ORI should be strong Wingmen to those who are experiencing this for the first time. Share your experience with members of the team, work together, and we'll get the job done right.

When we follow these guidelines for success, the Airmen of the 28th Bomb Wing will showcase our mission and combat capability to its fullest extent. We can meet any challenge, and we are absolutely prepared for the ORI. I have every confidence in Team Ellsworth's ability to succeed in any environment, and you'll show that to the IG team next week!