My experiences as a young officer has been very dynamic. In a short amount of time, I have had three different Platoon Sergeants. Each one had a varying knowledge base, work ethic, and leadership style. Subsequently, I have also rotated through a number of Squad Leaders. To relate to the posts above, I too believe leadership is all about learning and adapting.

One thing all Officers must learn, as many of you have covered, is the relationship between Officer and NCO. In my opinion, the relationship should be peer to peer. This allows for the greatest amount of flexibility. In the beginning phases, it allows a young officer to observe and learn. It is important for us, as Officers, to know and understand the duties of our Soldiers. How can we ensure they’re doing the right things if we don’t know what they’re supposed to be doing to begin with? Later on, in their time together, an Officer/NCO relationship can then begin to develop trust. With that trust, they can then identify shortcomings and flaws in their unit and make adjustments.

I believe an Officer’s role for an NCO is to be a resource manager, a risk-taker, and a problem solver. In my opinion, the NCOs should be handling the inner workings of the unit. It is our duty to provide the Soldiers with tools and the means to accomplish the mission. Beyond that, it is our responsibility to guide the unit through/around any obstacles that may come in our path.

Some pitfalls I think Officers experience, especially young Officers, is falling too far on one side of the spectrum. I think that some Officers either become micromanagers or they are passive and have little to no involvement with their unit