My recent experience as an S4 or senior logistics officer for the Squadron placed me in a position of expertise and staff advisor to a commander.  My lack of Army training as a logistical officer forced me to approach each field training event involving the staff beginning from the basics of sustainment to gain expertise in my staff section.  My Squadron commander depended on my math (logistics has its roots in calculus), and assessments regarding how far the organization self-sustain in order to maintain battlefield momentum.

To this end, I viewed myself as an advisor during the culminating event for my Squadron; a rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center!  I keep meticulous notes in a greenbook I traveled everywhere with, and brought the status of all classes of supply to each staff meeting and commander update brief.  Moreover, I was surrounded by post MCCC (pre-command) captains that had the same idea regarding the importance of advising the commander with the “so what” and a recommendation in order to generate options for decision making.  Knowing your value as a staff member, and understanding the role of an advisor is an excellent way to operate based on my operational experience.

-Ab