One of the greatest ways to learn how to be the best platoon leader is by talking to lieutenants who are going through the experience. During my CTLT at Ft. Richardson, Alaska, I was able to absorb the vast amount of knowledge my platoon leader gave to me. I discovered what a day-to-day schedule looked like and how to appropriately interact with NCOs within the platoon. During my time, the platoon I was shadowing conducted a platoon live fire. Watching how to platoon leader and platoon sergeant both took control of their respective roles and conducted a raid helped me develop as a leader. However, my learning did not stop there. Therefore, platoon sergeant SFC Adam McCroy and platoon leader 2LT Jared Lail answered five questions in order for …show more content…
On day 1, the new platoon leader should sit down with the platoon and tell them about yourself. Specifically, “where you are from, what your degree is in and where you went to school, and what your expectations as a platoon leader are.” You want your soldiers to know that you are a normal person too. Furthermore, the new platoon leader should start to get their soldiers from day one. Next, he said that a newly commissioned officer should read ADRP 6-22 Army Leadership “to build your vision of what type of leader you want to be.” When you show up to your first unit, have an idea of what kind of leader you want to be. However, also be willing to adapt to how your soldiers act. The interview with SFC McCroy helped me see the role of a platoon leader from the platoon sergeants …show more content…
First, he suggested that I learn about the process of PCS-ing before I graduate. He stated that it would have made his transition easier because he did not know exactly what to do or where to go. Therefore, I should talk to officers around here and get different viewpoints from their experience. I remember one of my instructors, CPT Salem, stated that he has an excel checklist for when he is PCS-ing. This would be very helpful so that I do not forget anything when moving around. For the next question about maintaining good officer/NCO relationships, he focused on giving the NCO respect. A new platoon leader must establish that they are in charge, but also know that the NCO knows more about that platoon. Therefore, form a bond with them so that you can create a more unison command team. 2LT Lail’s answer agrees with SFC McCroy’s answer on what is important when joining a new team. The first thing to do is to not change things drastically. He pointed out, “they have been functioning without you there so any changes you want to make, start subtly.” Again, if there is anything drastically wrong, it is okay to change. However, a new leader must discover the culture that already exists and learn to adapt to
Natural born leaders are almost nonexistent in today’s military. Military members have to complete numerous leadership classes as you progress through the military ranks whether you are an enlisted or as an officer. There are many attributes that people would have to possess to be considered a great leader. Some of those attributes include honesty, respect, trustworthy, and enthusiasm just to name a few. There have been many leaders I have worked with or for over my past 19 years in the Army. One of the most important one would have to be honesty. Honesty is important because if the people that work for you cannot believe what you tell them, they will never trust you or support you. Employees can make or break their supervisor. If they do not like or trust the manager they will not respect them and they will only do the least amount possible. When your employees believe that, you value their opinion and their work ethic. Like you and trust, you they will do anything you ask of them. Whether the decision is right or wrong it is a decision, a leader never want to leave their subordinat...
As the incoming brigade commander, LTC (P) Owens, I see the critical leadership problem facing the 4th Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) is the inability or unwillingness of Colonel Cutler to lead and manage change effectively. In initial talks with Col Cutler and in reviewing the brigade’s historical unit status reports, the 4th ABCT performed as well as can be expected in Afghanistan, but as the onion was peeled back there are numerous organizational issues that were brought to the surface while I walked around and listened to the soldiers of the 4th ABCT, in addition to reviewing the Center for Army Lessons Learned (CALL) report. One of the most formidable tasks of a leader is to improve the organization while simultaneously accomplishing
While many of these changes include the advancements in technology and ingenuity, nothing can replace the rich history, proud culture, and bright future of the NCO Corps. Though several additional factors doubtlessly play roles in the strength and continuity of the corps, I do not believe any have contributed to the extent of the solid rank structure, efficient training network, and passionate NCO Creed. These elements have worked together in continuously strengthening and molding the NCO Corps, and they will remain building blocks that will project the Army into the
We can identify three major cultural dimensions that help us to understand what leaders must focus on as they guide the transition of the Army. First, professional Identity, which is guided by Soldiers at all levels who are striving for excellence in their functional specialty, i.e., HR Sergeants. Soldiers who have goals and ideals of the Army to ethically put service and duty first. HR Sergeants are trained and well educated in their field. They are taught to put Soldiers first and have great customer support skills. Second, community, the sense in which Soldiers stop thinking about “I” and start thinking “we”. The bond among units who not only believe in cohesion with Soldiers, but their families too. The HR Sergeants are there to take care of Soldiers when financial issues arise with them or their families and don’t back down until the situation is solved. Last, hierarchy, which leads to order and control and provides Soldiers with moral reference and a sense of direction. The HR Sergeant has the mentality of mission first, knowing who to contact at the next level for assistance helps get the mission
Introduction “Leaders have always been generalists”. Tomorrow’s leaders will, very likely, have begun life as specialists, but to mature as leaders they must sooner or later climb out of the trenches of specialization and rise above the boundaries that separate the various segments of society.” (Gardner, 1990, pg. 159). The. In a recent verbal bout with my History of the Military Art professor, I contended that the true might of a nation may be inversely proportional to the size of its military during peacetime.
As a Non-commissioned Officer you can expect me to be a professional leader dedicated to taking care of soldiers, the mission, and the army way of life. You can expect me to use Army Regulations, Technical Manuals, and direct orders from my superiors as my guidance on what actions to take in each situation faced whether tactical or technical. I will not be afraid to make sound and timely decisions in the absence of my leadership’s orders. When left in charge I will take charge.
When then leader measures what was supposed to happen with what actually happened, the leader and involved personnel will then find out if the job was completed to standard. Also the leader needs to know from the personnel involved, what to keep doing and what can be done different to get those same or better results. All feedback should be honest and factual. This is the information that the leader will use to makes thing better; to make the operation run more smoothly. All of this defines the most successful and impactful Army leaders.
As stated in the Drill Sergeant Creed “I will lead by example, never requiring a Soldier to attempt any task I would not do myself.” The trainee’s first impression of the Army is through the Drill Sergeant. We must maintain a command presence through confidence, physical fitness, and military bearing. My responsibility to ensure that each trainee understands the block of instruction using the crawl, walk, run methods.
As a Marine, it is imperative to have leadership skills along with being capable of working with others. This book was written to enhance the reader’s mentality of how the Marines operate. It informs those who are looking into the service, and provides an in depth look into the trials and tribulations it has been through—as well as conquered. This book substantially explains the vigorous training platoon 3086 went through in order to earn the title of being a Marine.
In my military career, I have been to many localities, and met many great NCO’s to gain expertise, and wisdom from. My biggest challenge as an NCO has been my stretch as an AIT Platoon Sergeant in Fort Leonard Wood MO. Being an AIT PSG you have many tasks you have to complete, and many soldiers you have to manage. There are leadership challenges in every job, but as an AIT PSG all of the challenges can be tested within a small period of time. On a daily basis, you deal with anything from pay issues with behavior issues you will learn many things and test yourself always. When I arrived at E-CO 169th ENG BN it was to be the first day of many new experiences and challenges. On the day that I arrived to E-CO as an AIT PSG I was not quite qualified yet to run an
The NCO Creed states, “I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as “The Backbone of the Army” (‘The NCO Creed’). That verse alone should be the most inspiring part that all Noncommissioned Officers should love to hear because it’s true in many aspects. The question to ask is, are we driving it in the right direction. There has never been a time in our history when Soldiers needed competent and strong leaders more than today. The social complications that our young Soldiers face are beyond what any generation before them has had to endure and learn and navigate. The military are looking for leaders who can be role models for these Soldiers. Anyone can tell a soldier what to do, but a good leader can show, direct and motiva...
In the United States Army, there are two categories of rank structure, the enlisted corps and the commissioned corps. The enlisted corps within itself contains leaders, who are referred to as Noncommissioned Officers, or NCOs. These individuals, whose ranks range from Sergeant to Sergeant Major, are responsible implementing the guidance and command policies provided by the Commissioned Officers and commanders in their units. NCOs are also responsible for the welfare and training of junior personnel. The US Army provides regulations and manuals with step by step guidance for the most trivial of tasks, but it fails to spell out specific and concrete information on how to be an NCO. There are publications, such as “The Creed of the Noncommissioned Officer” and regulations on leadership, but they lack specificity and objective instruction for how to accomplish the aforementioned responsibilities of an NCO. The knowledge and skills of an NCO are instead acquired through training and experience, the products of which are NCOs of varying quality. A good NCO is one who knows and fulfills the written laws and regulations of Army doctrine, has the character of a good soldier and leader, and is able to strike a balance between written law and doing what is right even if the two seem to contradict one another.
CF02,Full Range Leadership Development. (2012). Maxwell Gunter AFB. Thomas N. Barnes Center for Enlisted Education (AETC)
Upon graduation, each of us will face the challenge of building a cohesive team through mutual trust. Trust is the groundwork for any successful team. Just as the commander will learn to trust me, I in return will have to trust my commander. As a Command Sergeant Major (CSM) or Staff Sergeant Major (SGM), I realize that my Soldiers will not trust me right away, and I must gain their mutual trust through my daily interactions. By setting an example and living the Army Values, I will gain their mutual trust. My commander and I will plan team-building events often to maximize the opportunities to build the mutual trust within our organization with the staff and Soldiers. Understanding that team building requires an effort on everyone’s part but the chance to bridge any gaps tha...
First, there is respect, just because you have the rank and status of an officer doesn’t mean those below you in your command are going to respect you. A lot of people are going into the army as officers thinking everyone owes them something and that they have to do what they say. All I can say to that is, you’re in for a rude awakening. As officers we should respect those below us and talk to them as a leader should not a boss especially our NCOS and PSG. I believe that they are the best asset a young officer has at his disposal due to their knowledge and