MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- The Marines of Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron demonstrated their military proficiency during a Commanding General's inspection June 3-4 across the Station.
The squadron was inspected in a variety of areas. During the troop-orientated inspection, Marines were inspected on color guard, drill, sword manual, personnel inspection, wall locker, physical fitness test and officer and staff noncommissioned officer uniform inspections.
The inspection also included Functional Area Inspections of Request Mast Procedures, the Command Inspection program and Fraud, Waste and Abuse oversight and hotline.
Although the inspections for each event took less than two hours, the preparations that went into making everything shine have been in the works for several weeks.
"The Commanding General's Inspection Program is designed to check the overall mission readiness of any Marine unit," said Lt. Col. Thomas Abel, H&HS commanding officer. "A CGIP inspection emphasizes the Marine Corps overall mission above that of a specific unit mission."
To ensure the Marines were ready for the inspection, they underwent pre-inspections and practices.
"The Marines of H&HS put a tremendous amount of time and effort into the inspection areas," Abel said. "The drill platoon in particular proved to be outstanding. The wall locker and personnel inspection were also outstanding."
For many of the Marines, this was their first CGI. For others it was a reoccurring event in their Marine Corps career. No matter where they have or will stand a CGI, Marines will find one common theme.
"Different units have different missions, such as air, artillery, infantry, or support," Abel noted. "But, all Marine units stand identical CGIP's in regards to drill, physical fitness tests, wall locker and personnel inspections."
In the end, the inspections went well and overall the CGI was a success due to the hard work by the Marines of H&HS.
"All inspection results were superb," Abel concluded. "H&HS showed that it is mission capable in all inspection areas and that the unit is strong in the basic skills required of all Marines."