Information can disarm AFIS, MICT initialisms

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Carl Wise
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing self-assessment program manager
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  I know many people see the initialisms for Air Force Inspection System or Management Internal Control Toolset and run for the hills. But hopefully with some new knowledge we can stop running off in a mad dash. 

So what is AFIS and how does MICT contribute to this new program?  AFIS is the process created to provide an accurate report of how an organization functions.  It is designed to be a measure of everyday readiness.

Rather than an Operational Readiness Inspection, which measured a limited aspect of an installation and was not an accurate picture, AFIS gives units the opportunity to be honest on how they complete their mission.  One way a unit can display how the mission gets completed is by using MICT and conducting self-assessments.

MICT is used to communicate a unit's compliance with policies, instructions, and laws by completing communicators (formerly called checklists). These communicators are visible from the unit level to the Secretary of the Air Force level. Functional area managers use the data from communicators to brief key policy and decision makers on status of programs. 

Why is this important?  Providing accurate, detailed responses in MICT gives senior leaders information to improve identified resource shortfalls.  Just as importantly, communicator assessors also get the opportunity to communicate directly with FAMs at Air Mobility Command and Headquarters Air Force through MICT. This is an opportunity to shine for your career field experts. 

Is there question in your communicator that is confusing, uses an out of date reference or a wrong reference altogether?  Spam the FAM.  To the left of each question is a "chat" icon.  Clicking this icon opens a direct line of communication to the communicator manager, which in most cases is the FAM.  Provide the applicable comments and click "send comments."  Your message is on the way and will most likely be addressed within three to five business days. 

MICT is also a piece of the inspection process. AMC and associate IG inspectors, along with FAMs, conduct virtual inspections at different intervals leading up to a mid-point inspection and a Unit Effectiveness Inspection. AMC then uses results from those virtual inspections as snap-shots to document how units complete functions.  Those snapshots get included in the final report from our UEI. 

Finally, MICT is an additional tool for unit commanders to view the status of programs.  With accurate, detailed responses in your communicator, commanders can view compliance percentages on the unit/work center dashboard and the commander dashboard. 

If you allow it, MICT can be a confusing, frustrating program.  Understanding its role and contributions is a vital step in fully grasping AFIS.  Rather than running to the hills next time your commander mentions MICT, contact the 60th AMW/IGI office if you have further questions or would like to schedule training.