Discussion questions (discuss one, two, or all!)
1. What are general thoughts about Gen. Thomas’ tip on approaching the first platoon sergeant?

I agree with PSTOFAN. You need to follow the General’s advice plus you need to sit down and counsel your 1SG. Expectation management is key. I do not personally think counseling should be incredibly long because it can cross over into micromanagement, but you must lay out expectations. If you do not lay out your expectations you are going to bang your head against the wall as you step on each other’s feet.

2. How did your first meeting go with your first NCO or 1SG/Detachment NCO?

My meeting went well. We talked about my leadership philosophy. I took a page out of my Squadron S3’s playbook and had added my 1SG’s signature block on the bottom next to mine. We talked through the philosophy and edited based on both of our input. This way when I took over, everyone understood we were a team.

3. What would you do different and what advice would you give new commanders?

I am still new in the saddle to new all the mistakes I have made (probably a lot), but my 1SG specifically asked me to do a couple things before I took over. First, he asked that I do not hesitate at calling the boss. He was annoyed when he had to make phone calls that he thought were more CO to SCO level. I agreed with him on that issue. Secondly, and in the same vein he saw the PLs coming to 1SG for issues that the CO should be handling. So I immediately established with the PLs that they can always ask the 1SG a question, but I expect them to report to me whether it is good or bad news.

4. What questions would you have to new commanders?

You can not do everything as a CDR (for those that can god bless you). What are the handful of things you truly want to get after as a Troop CDR? Is that what your 1SG wants to get after? What does he want to get after? Where do you two overlap? Focus you energy in to affecting change in those areas.