I’m really mulling over the second part you posted (resisting the urge to solve problems). It’s really resonating with me as I deployed 2 months after joining my 2nd unit. I was given quite clear guidance that I was a big kid and didn’t need to wait the ’30 day window’ to make changes, but just execute, fix, and repeat time now.

Someone (I don’t recall who) did advise me to ask my NCOs what issues / problems they saw with the present operations, just cast a wide net and see what comes back, navigate from there. I did, and I got really shocking, brutally honest answers (given, literally, in whispers because they didn’t want to be in trouble with anyone). One even told me she was scared of federal legal ramifications with procedures that were not being followed correctly.

It’s really fascinating to think about going through those transition experiences have some time and distance from the problems with your post in mind, Chad.  Thanks for the resource and introspection!