July 2021

Leaders!

We received several responses to our call for leader challenge stories (posted in S1 Net). We’re excited to start developing some new products using that source material.  We’re also working on the possibility of starting an essay contest focused on both cadets and junior officers.  The Army has rules against offering cash prizes, so we’re exploring options to make the process appealing to authors.  Stay tuned for more information.  Also – we’re looking to select a new Ops Officer to start grad school at Columbia in NYC in 2023.  Two years may seem a long way away, but it will be here faster than you think.  Read more below!  

Highlights from the past month

• Book review of 2034: A novel of the next world war
• Company command: Leading change in the first 90 days
• Keep calm and OCT on
• Together we rise…
• Becoming a basic training PL
• West Point LTs lack self-awareness

Coming up

Some things we have in the works that you’ll see in the weeks ahead on the CJO website:

• What an injury taught me about leadership
• A junior officer’s reflection on the branch detail program
• We need fewer LEADERS and more leaders
• 9 tips to guide company and troop FSOs

Other posts of interest

While we run/focus on the Center for Junior Officers site, we know there is a lot of other great content out there that can help junior officers in their pursuits.  Below are a few articles/podcasts/products from other sources that you might find interesting – we did!

• Words and phrases to avoid in a difficult conversation
• Command and the game of telephone
• 12 tips to improve…
• Your questions: Friendship challenges, generational differences

Do you see a theme in these articles?  If so, reach out and let us know…

Where we can use your help

Some specific projects we could use your assistance on include:

• Book Analysis. Anyone want to share their review/analysis of popular books that Commanders/Senior leaders are recommending? This isn’t a book summary, rather an analysis/your opinion on the piece.  Here is an example of what we found was popular (Once an Eagle: Idol or Idle).  If you’ve been tasked to lead a discussion or your unit is having you read a book already, this could be some “low hanging fruit” – and a chance to share your insights with a larger audience.
• Anyone have any tools they’ve developed that they want to share? We have a “Commander’s Toolkit” we recently updated (thanks Sean Jordan).   We also have a leader’s smart book provided by the 173^rd IBCT.  Send us your ideas.

Join the team

If you’re an active-duty junior officer who is interested in obtaining a fully-funded advanced degree  (or if you already have an advanced degree from a top-tier institution in a topic related to organizational behavior, I/O psychology, MBA, or related area), will have completed your key development position requirements as a Captain by May 2023, and want to PCS to West Point to join the Center for Junior Officers team, please reach out and let us know.   Or – if you know of a junior officer who might be a good fit, let us know.  We can reach out and answer questions.   You/They do NOT need to be a West Point graduate to apply.

While they don’t mention this position specifically, the following recent articles offer information and insights that are relevant to anyone interested in applying to become the Operations Officer of the Center for Junior Officers.

• https://fromthegreennotebook.com/2021/03/17/educate-train-inspire-west-point-broadening-opportunities/
• https://fromthegreennotebook.com/2021/03/22/duty-honor-country-broadening-opportunities-at-the-u-s-military-academy/
• https://fromthegreennotebook.com/2021/03/24/usma-broadening-tactical-officer/

Additional information is also located here.

In closing

Reminder- we’re on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.  Please follow us if you’re on those platforms.  We’re posting new content almost daily. 

Until next month – lead well my friends!