from being a PL and doing this, to observing it in my lieutenants, PLs drink from proverbial firehouse and have challenge between empathizing with PSG and troops and carrying out CO’s vision, and that first rear-end chewing (if you have one of those CDRs) often sends lieutenant running into arms of PSG. The best leaders (IMO) are those who focus on the mission, give mission details that help others successfully complete their portion of tasks, and insulate subordinates from distractors/detractors. Its a fine line, loyalty to Army, to your men, and if ever in doubt – pick the right thing, that’s why you’re there. You don’t bring experience or expertise yet, you bring moral character, so be an honest broker even when uncomfortable.

Don’t get too caught up on how the “men” see you or the boss – just do your best to learn. Share the Who’s Got the Monkey (https://hbr.org/1999/11/management-time-whos-got-the-monkey) with them, encourage initiative, underwrite honest mistakes, and your team will grow from go-to men and sidelines guys to everyone contributing. You have little time to learn the systems, so focus on property, training and “fight” to plan as much as you can – planning is the art of visualizing, describing and directing in time and space, a key tool you’ll carry as a company commander and a Major. Common sense and experience helps with planning later on, so the MORE you do as a LT./mistakes you make and learn from, the better you’ll be later. The ones that play it safe and hide, struggle later, but that debt is paid somewhere and by someone.