Regularly inspecting your JFAK and medical kits before, during, and after training keeps care fast and reliable

Your medical kit isn’t a trophy you dust off between shifts. It’s a lifeline you rely on when seconds count. For teams relying on Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) at Tier 3, the simple habit of inspecting gear isn’t optional—it’s part of the mission. So, when should you inspect your Joint Force Aid Kit (JFAK) and the rest of your medical gear? The answer is clear: before, during, and after all training events and missions.

Let me explain why that cadence matters and how to make it stick.

Why this cadence makes sense

Picture this: you’re mid-rotation through a field exercise. A bandage is missing its wrapper, a gauze pad is damp, and a tourniquet strap has melted plastic from a wonky storage environment. If you wait until the end of the week to check, you risk delays when relief is needed now. The “before, during, after” routine keeps your kits honest in real time.

• Before. A comprehensive pre-check sets the stage. It confirms you have all the items you expect, that nothing has expired, and that every pouch is sealed and labeled for quick access. This is the moment to catch the obvious gaps—the stuff you’d notice at a glance if you were in a calm moment between drills.

• During. Quick mid-mission checks aren’t flashy, but they’re invaluable. If you’re on a long training event or a mission that stretches over hours, a brief inventory during a break can catch issues that develop in the field—moisture intrusion, torn seals, or items that have become dislodged.

• After. Post-event checks are about closure and continuity. Restock what you used, replace anything expired, and reinsert items that were removed for use. This resets your system so the next team isn’t chasing down a depleted kit.

What to inspect in a JFAK and other medical kits

A good inspection isn’t a mystery box. It’s a well-practiced routine. Here’s a practical checklist you can adapt for your unit.

• Expiration and shelf life

• Check all drugs, solutions, and dressings for expiration dates.

• Note items nearing expiration and rotate them to prevent waste.

• Contents and spacing

• Confirm a complete set of essential gear: tourniquets, chest seals, hemostatic gauze, sterile dressings, gauze rolls, tape, gloves, trauma shears, marker, and a splint or improvised immobilization items.

• Ensure items are in their designated pockets with minimal movement to reduce noise and confusion in an emergency.

• Packaging integrity

• Look for damaged seals, torn packaging, broken zippers, or moisture intrusion.

• Inspect moisture barriers and desiccants; replace if they’re damp or exhausted.

• Functionality and readiness

• Test tourniquets for proper operation (no frayed straps, intact windlass, and accessible control).

• Verify chest seals are intact and not kinked or punctured.

• Ensure scissors cut cleanly, gloves are intact, and tape sticks when needed.

• Cleanliness and storage

• Wipe away dirt or sticky residues that can affect sterility or tape adhesion.

• Check for signs of mold, especially in warm, humid environments.

• Labeling and orientation

• Make sure every item has a clear label and that the pouch or bag orientation allows a fast one-handed grab.

• Confirm that the kit’s overall layout supports rapid access—don’t bury the critical items under less urgent gear.

• Documentation and accountability

• Record the date of inspection, the items checked, and any replacements or restocks.

• Keep a simple log or card in the kit; it should be easy to reference during the next inspection.

A quick, repeatable routine you can rely on

In busy environments, you’ll benefit from a short, reliable rhythm. Here’s a digestible routine to keep on track.

• Before event: a 5–10 minute sweep to confirm presence, expiration, and fit.

• During event: a 1–2 minute “spot check” at a natural break to ensure nothing shifted and that nothing critical is missing.

• After event: a 10–15 minute inventory to restock, re-seal, and refresh any items used or near expiry.

If you’ve never layered inspections into routine training breaks, start small. Pick one kit to start with, write down a micro-checklist, and run a few cycles. You’ll quickly discover which items tend to drift out of place and which checks save the most time when things get chaotic.

A practical mindset: readiness isn’t static

Think of readiness like a living system, not a one-and-done task. A kit that’s checked only once a month or only before events gives a false sense of security. The moment you treat readiness as a continuous process is the moment you’re less likely to miss a critical item or face a preventable snag.

A few relatable analogies help this land: you wouldn’t drive across town with a near-empty gasoline tank, a dented bumper, and a warning light blinking, right? You routinely check fuel, tires, and fluids so you arrive where you’re going safely. Kitting works the same way: you keep your medical supplies reliable so you can keep your focus on the task at hand.

Turn talking points into action

To translate this into real-world habit, try these practical steps.

• Create a shared inventory log. A single sheet (digital or paper) that tracks each kit, with fields for date, inspector, items checked, and next due date. A quick entry saves confusion later.

• Assign “kit captains.” Each team or squad has one person responsible for ensuring their kit is in check. Rotate the role so everyone knows the rhythm and shares ownership.

• Use a simple, universal checklist. Keep it consistent across all kits so you don’t have to relearn a different routine for each bag.

• Schedule routine checks. Build short inspections into standard training calendars—before drills, mid-exercise breaks, and after-action wrap-ups.

• Practice, don’t preach. Run a few dry runs to feel the flow and identify any bottlenecks in your process. Real readiness grows from practiced familiarity.

What happens if something isn’t right?

Mistakes happen; gear fails; conditions change. When you spot a problem, act quickly and transparently.

• If an item is expired or compromised, remove it immediately and replace it with a fresh stock.

• If a tourniquet or chest seal is damaged, tag it as out of service and bring a replacement from the supply shelf.

• If you can’t replace immediately, document the gap, cordon off the affected pouch, and alert the chain of command so the issue gets prioritized.

There’s a quiet sense of security that comes with knowing your team can respond without hesitation. That peace of mind isn’t magic—it’s the outcome of consistent, practical checks that keep your gear trustworthy.

A note on culture and confidence

In high-stakes teams, routine inspections do more than keep gear ready. They reinforce a culture of care and accountability. When you show up with well-maintained kits, you signal to your teammates that you value their lives and time. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being prepared enough to act decisively when every second counts.

If you’re new to this mindset, start by embracing the habit of a quick pre-check before every drill, a mid-session verify during a break, and a complete post-check after you log off. You’ll notice your hands moving to the same spots, your eyes scanning for the same cues, and your confidence growing as a result.

A simple, shareable checklist to copy

If you want a ready-to-use starter, here’s a lean version you can adapt. Use it as your base and tailor to your unit’s kit configuration.

• Pre-check (5–10 minutes)

• All items present and accounted for

• No expired items

• Seals intact; packaging undamaged

• Pouches labeled; items in their designated spots

• Mid-check (1–2 minutes)

• Quick verify of critical items (tourniquets, chest seals, gauze, gloves)

• No items dislodged or misplaced

• Post-check (10–15 minutes)

• Restock used items

• Replace expired items

• Log inspection date and next due date

• Confirm kit is sealed and ready for the next use

Final thoughts: stay curious, stay prepared

In the field, readiness isn’t a static badge; it’s a way of life. The simple practice of inspecting your JFAK and medical kits before, during, and after every training event or mission builds muscle memory, sharpens response times, and reduces the chance of a preventable lapse under pressure. It’s not flashy, but it is essential.

If you’re building or refining a unit’s routine, start small, stay consistent, and keep the focus on clear, practical checks. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s reliability when it matters most. And that reliability starts with you and the next inspection you perform.