REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- The Aviation and Missile Command achieved a benchmark rating during its bi-annual Intelligence and Security Program Inspection by security representatives of its senior command, the Army Materiel Command.
Although AMCOM has been rated as "commendable" during the past seven consecutive inspections, the October 2015 inspection was the first time the command achieved the rating with no findings at all. A "commendable" rating, which is the highest that can be achieved, is awarded when the number of findings does not exceed two in a functional area, there are no impact findings and the significance of each finding has a minimal impact on the security mission.
"AMCOM leadership is proud of its team of Security professionals and the entire AMCOM workforce for raising the bar and obtaining the commendable rating with no findings," said AMCOM commander Maj. Gen. Jim Richardson.
"In the 30-plus years I've been in the Army, this is the first time I've seen a security inspection with no findings whatsoever. This rating is an indication of what I already knew: that the AMCOM workforce is exceptional in protecting the security of the nation's classified information."
During past inspections, AMCOM achieved the high ranking while also having a few findings, which are considered minor deficiencies that must be corrected as soon as possible. Findings include things like a paper recycling memorandum that isn't in compliance with AMC policy and not having all employee classified information updated in the Joint Personnel Adjudication System, better known as JPAS. A major Security infraction, of which AMCOM has never had, would be leaving a container of classified materials open and unattended.
Although security inspections are the responsibility of AMCOM's Intelligence and Security (G2) employees, following policy for classified information requires all AMCOM employees to be aware and vigilant, and to follow the guidelines in working with classified information, ," said Earl Montgomery, who lead the AMCOM Intelligence and Security team in preparation for the inspection.
"Our commendable rating with no findings shows that all our employees are doing things the way they are supposed to for the protection of national security," Montgomery said.
During the inspection on Oct. 20-22, AMC inspectors inspected six areas -- Information Security, Personnel Security, Industrial Security, Foreign Disclosure, Intelligence Oversight and Counterintelligence. They randomly selected three of AMCOM's organizations for inspection: the Security Assistance Management Directorate, Resource Management and Operations. Inspectors walked through these areas at the Sparkman Center to ensure proper security materials were posted and that classified information was handled properly. They also quizzed employees chosen randomly about the AMCOM Security program.
"The workforce really helped us because they are the ones who are handling the classified materials and that need to know the Security guidelines we follow at AMCOM," Montgomery said.
"Employees knew the inspection was coming. But we did very well because our employees practice proper Security measures every day," Montgomery said. "Security is business as usual for all of us."
Following the inspection, AMC Headquarters recommended that 17 AMCOM G2 and one SAMD be commended for their support of the inspection process. Commander Richardson recognized the following employees for their outstanding support to the overall AMCOM Intelligence and Security mission: G2 -- Gretchen Abbott, Wayne Arrowood, Ginger Calaway, Carolyn Cunningham, Ernest Dartis, Susan Douglas, Susan Herring, Earl Montgomery, Cheryl Neill, Dee Odum, Jeannie Ryan, Rito "Tony" Salas, Sheree Simms, Liz Stoltz, Dennis Young, C. Lamar Sterns and Sherrone Wallace, and SAMD -- Valarie Johnson.
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