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Before you actually take Company Command, you must conduct a change of command inventory to properly accept accountability and responsibility for your unit’s equipment. And conducting a thorough, by-the-book change of command inventory can set you up for success right from the start.
One of the greatest tidbits of advice I can give you is to prepare, be thorough and DO NOT sign any documents until you are 100% sure they are accurate. In other words, don’t sign off on your change of command inventory until you have physically inventoried and touched everything.
So, how do you prepare for a change of command inventory? Let me explain.
As the Incoming Company Commander you should:
- Visit with Battalion Commander and PBO to get guidance prior to start of the change of command inventory. Verify the master change of command inventory packet compiled by the outgoing Company Commander to ensure it is complete. Review DA Pam 25-30 to ensure that the most current publications are available. If no publication is available an inventory list will be created to account for components.
- Compare the property book against the sub-hand receipts to ensure all unit property is sub-hand receipted. Identify any equipment loaned outside of the unit to ensure it’s on a valid hand receipt.
- Conduct a 100% change of command inventory of the unit’s property and report any discrepancies to the outgoing commander for resolution. Verify that all discrepancies are corrected prior to assuming responsibility. You have 30 days to conduct the change of command inventory and if needed, can get one 15-day extension.
- Once all discrepancies are resolved sign the new hand receipt acknowledging responsibility for the property.
That’s how things are supposed to work. Remember, as an M-Day, National Guard Company Commander, you have the same amount of time to conduct your inventory as an Active Duty Company Commander has.
Obviously, you probably have job and family commitments outside of the National Guard. You probably can’t afford to take 30 days off from your job to conduct your change of command inventory. That’s okay.
Your secret to success is to ensure the outgoing commander and Supply Sergeant are prepared for the change of command inventory. If they conduct a pre change of command inventory, they will have enough time to find missing items, update shortage annexes, and print current TMs. This will save you many hours of time.
Personally, I conducted my incoming change of command inventory in five business days. We had property in multiple locations, too. I simply drafted up a game plan and stuck with it. We did put-in some long hours, but we got the job done.
In closing, you might have heard horror stories of former Company Commanders who simply “signed for their property book” without ever conducting a change of command inventory.
Unfortunately, when these Company Commanders finished their command time and turned over the property to the incoming Company Commander, they had missing equipment and ended up paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
My advice to you is DON’T BE LIKE THAT. Remember, if you start your command time with an accurate and updated property book, it’s much easier to manage it throughout your time in command.
If you start with discrepancies, it will cost you when you conduct your outgoing change of command inventory. Be proactive. Be thorough when you conduct your change of command inventory and when you are in command; conduct all inventories according to schedule.
Learn more about the change of command inventory in our Company Command eBook
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