Overview
Preparing for an inspection competition of any level can be a daunting task. Most opt to “study” for inspection by providing knowledge packets. These are immensely helpful, obviously, in making sure everyone has a base level of knowledge.
However, when preparing for the ACT of inspection, sitting in a classroom and quizzing one another doesn’t accurately simulate the rigors of inspection competition.
Having a cadet commander, coach, or instructor inspect each cadet is useful but it can also be time consuming and having a squad/element leader do the same can be similarly challenging.
Enter cycling…
Cycling
As the name implies, the goal of this inspection preparation technique is simple: everyone will cycle through the process of inspection with each other cadet in their squad or element.
In this way, we can be efficient while also practicing the chaotic nature of a real inspection. We can diversify the kinds of questions being asked OR get reps on answering the same questions we might be struggling with.
Here is the process:
Once in formation (ideally after an entry into the practice inspection area), the cadet commander will prompt the process to begin.
First, the squad/element leaders will take one step forward, execute a left face to face down their squad/element, take two steps to center themselves on the next cadet in the formation, and execute a left face to face the next cadet in their squad.
Upon the heel-click of that facing movement, the inspection will begin. Cadets should greet their “judge” and await a question. “Inspectors” should ask a SINGULAR question to which the cadet being inspected should deliver the appropriate response.
While the cadet being inspected is responding, have the cadet inspectors look not only for a correct response but also body-language tendencies such as fidgeting in the hands, wiggling the toes, or looking off to the side.
Before moving on to the next cadet, the “inspector” should give ONE positive piece of feedback (i.e. “You answered the question correctly…”) and ONE piece of feedback to improve (i.e. “…but your toes are wiggling while you speak.”)
Once that process is complete, the squad/element leader faces down their squad/element and proceeds to the next cadet wherein the cycle repeats.
The cadet who has PREVIOUSLY BEEN INSPECTED stands at attention and awaits the departure of their squad/element leader from the cadet next to them. When the cadet immediately to their left is freed up, they too step off, step over, face that cadet, and begin the process of becoming the inspector.
Once a cadet has made it all the way down to the end of their squad/element, they fall in on the end at attention and go through the inspection process themselves.
The cycle is considered complete when the ENTIRE formation has been inspected in this manner and the last cadets in each rank once again take their place at the end of their squads/elements.
At this point, the team can proceed to practice their exit procedures.
Helpful Tips
This process is designed to be chaotic but NOT ridiculous. Here are some guidelines to follow:
- Cadets should be briefed that their questions should be serious. Bearing-testing questions are acceptable but the goal should not be to have a good laugh.
- It’s helpful to give each RANK of cadets a category from which to draw questions from. For example, squad/element leaders might be assigned rank-related questions, second rank might be assigned current events, third rank might be assigned chain of command, etc.
- We usually like to limit lines of questioning to ONE question since this process can be lengthy with just that one question.
- Cadet commanders should monitor this process to ensure everyone is staying on task and to help provide feedback on body language and bearing throughout the process.
- Cadets should be specifically instructed to keep their tone of voice and volume level at maximum levels, even if the noise and chaos around them dies off!
Video Example
In the following example, you can see a brief idea of what the process looks like mid-cycle!