It’s a cliche that has become an oxymoron but is in fact a maxim of compliance. It’s an old lesson, it’s a hard lesson. I learned it long before I became a compliance officer.

One of my life careers, yes there’ve  been many, was with the U.S. Navy. The navy believes in inspections, exams, exercises, always testing. There’s a reason for that and it’s because it’s dangerous out there. Especially when there are only a little over a hundred of you racing around the world’s oceans submerged in a small metal tube.

Submarines really only have one mission in life and that’s to make sure the number of surfacings always equals the number of dives. Pretty quickly you learn that all this testing, examining, exercising – not physical although you may sweat the exercise – has one objective, your safety and your ability to fulfill that one mission of submarines. Voila, I’m here, I like examiners.

True, not all examiners are created equal. But you find that everywhere, in every profession, in all walks of life. Maybe I’ve just been unbelievably lucky, I certainly have been in love – different subject, because I’ve very, very, very seldom found that people who try to make your life a living hell last. They’re usually gone the next time I’m there and if they’re not the business won’t be there shortly there after. At least not with the same people running it.

So whenever an examiner, inspector, or someone similar shows up, announced or unannounced, we’re glad to see them. Whether it’s NCUA or the State elevator inspector, or the local fire marshal we’re ready and eager to learn. And apply – that’s one of the keys to having a good working relationship with your examiner and fodder for a future blog.

Remember, they’re your examiner and they’re the only examiner you’ve got.