Are surprise inspections permitted under OTCNINST 1530.6M?

Surprise inspections are indeed permitted under OTCNINST 1530.6M, but they must adhere to proper notification standards, which ensures that the inspections are conducted in a manner that respects privacy and operational security while still enabling oversight. This flexibility allows for thorough checks to maintain standards without the potential drawbacks of scheduling everything in advance.

The reasoning behind allowing these types of inspections is that they can increase accountability and adherence to established standards, as personnel may take more care to maintain compliance if they know that surprise inspections could occur. However, the requirement for following notification standards is crucial to balance operational needs with fairness and respect for personnel.

In contrast, suggesting that all inspections must be scheduled in advance would limit the effectiveness of oversight and could encourage lapses in protocol. While approval by command for surprise inspections may be necessary for certain situations, it isn't a blanket requirement under the instruction. Additionally, discouraging surprise inspections altogether would diminish the ability to ensure ongoing compliance and accountability within the inspected areas.