Counseling your PSG for the first time can be difficult. Not so much in the words you put on paper, but the conversation itself.

The counseling form should, in black and white terms, lay out your expectations for the PSG and what the PSG can expect of you. These standards can be drawn from published material, Army regulations, Command philosophies, etc. In my opinion, these points should guide the counseling into a conversation with your PSG.

Additionally, I think it is important for LT’s to understand that PSG’s know the Soldiers in a different way. You should ask them how they see the platoon, where you think they are headed, and how we (as a team) can guide them towards success. As LT’s we should be trying to learn as much as we can from our senior NCO’s.