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Our articles are written by leaders from all walks of life on topics applicable to the development and success of junior officers in the Army.

Between Two Ferns

Alicia Dotson and James Watson

“Welcome to the leaf eaters!” That was how my tactical officer greeted me the day he found out I branched Ordnance and was destined to be one of those fine …

How To Run an Effective Meeting: A Guide for Junior Officers

Mark Erwin

Whether we like them or not, meetings are an essential part of our profession. Officers are responsible for planning and resourcing events, which inevitably involves …

500 Days and Counting – What Junior Officers can learn from the Ukraine-Russia Conflict

Nick Rich

As of July 24th, the conflict in Ukraine has roiled without stopping. Important lessons that junior officers stand to gain insight from continue to emerge.......

Developing Trust in an Age of Distrust

Mitch Butterworth

The irony here is that trust is often criticized by managers as ‘soft’ and seemingly intractable concept, yet it may be a necessary condition for …

The Actual Importance of Physical Fitness for Junior Officers

Kevin Shinnick

“Show up fit.” For many, it’s the first leadership gem Junior Officers are exposed to when they begin their journey to commissioning......

The Power of the Palchinsky Principles: How Failure Can Lead to Success

Jakob Hutter

The Palchinsky Principles is a decision-making framework developed by an early 20th-century Russian engineer Peter Palchinsky, and while these principles were initially developed for engineers …

Make the Training Cycle Work For You

Michael Watkins, Bradley Moffitt, Joshua Jones

Sadly, Helmuth von Moltke was correct in that “no battle plan survives contact with the enemy”.

Selfless Service is an Army Value: Managing Expectations in the AIM Marketplace

Erin Williams

It’s that time of year again! The AIM Marketplace is complete, the algorithm has run its course, and Requests for Orders (RFOs) are rolling into mailboxes!

Managing Transitions – You and Your (New) 1SG

Mike Moffeit

"Don’t let too much time pass once your new 1SG is in the seat to make the time to give them an initial counseling. "

The Army Must Adapt to the “iGen” – Our Future Depends On It

MG Curtis Buzzard

In the end, the readiness of our force, and ultimately mission success, is dependent on understanding those we lead and adapting our leadership approach accordingly. The iGen is an incredibly …

Dollars & Cents: Making Sense of the NDAA and Appropriations Bill for Servicemembers

Kimberly Mallard-Brown

“Hey, if you want new desks or monitors, let the S4 know now!”

“Still less room is there for those who deride or slight what is done by those who actually bear the brunt of the day; nor yet for those others who always profess that they would like to take action, if only the conditions of life were not exactly what they actually are.” -President Roosevelt, 1910

The Scarcest Resource In The World

The Honorable Robert A. McDonald

Leadership is not easy, but it is crucial. So the next time you are facing challenges and feel like being a leader is difficult, know that it is supposed to …

Tools to Adjust Behavior: Counseling to the UCMJ

John E. Plaziak

A common theme for new company commanders is uncertainty surrounding the tools at their disposal to correct behaviors in their formations. The use of UCMJ is ultimately a tool to …

5 Tips for Your First 90 Days

Jordon Swain & Chad Plenge

You've just taken over a new role role, whether as a new LT or a seasoned CPT. What are you going to do? Here are 5 tips for your first …

Why Relationships Matter for Effective Negotiation

Travis Cyphers

The greatest predictor of success in these situations is not how right you are or what justification you can provide to compel the other side to act -- the greatest …

16 Ways Effective Leaders Build Cohesive Teams in the Army

Jordon Swain and Leonard Wong

On 13 October, Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy announced that "people" are the Army's top priority and that the force is working "to give junior leaders more time …

What I learned from a Porta-Potty Wall

Doug Crandall

I shared seven words that wholly changed my perspective on leading others: “LT Crandle is a punk-ass bitch!”

How to Become a Humble Leader

Jordon Swain

If your desire is to become a humble leader, you're already on the right track. Having the goal to improve your humility means you're motivated to develop. Here are 7 …

Record Military Pay Raises for 2023 and What They Mean- Tips to Help Junior Officers and their Troops

Mark Erwin and James Watson

Both chambers of Congress have proposed a 4.7% pay increase for troops next year. Combined with potential increases in BAH rates as well, this could put up to an additional …

Simple Things, Executed Well

Anonymous & James Watson

Some knowledge from the past... revisited

4 Storytelling Tips for Army Leaders

Jordon Swain & Jeremy Boeh

"This one time at Advanced Camp…" or how about, "So there I was…" Sound familiar? If you are anything like us, you enjoy hearing the occasional tale from those you …

Leading with More than the Rank on your Chest

Grace Brooks

In the words of one NCOs I worked with, “officers will always be shown respect simply because of the rank........"

Company Command: Leading Change in the First 90 days

Jordan Terry

While a gradual approach may be prudent in many situations, some situations (like the one I experienced), require a new commander to act immediately and boldly to make necessary change …

The Secret to Success in Professional Military Education

Ken Segelhorst

It was a conversation I had several times as an assistant professor at the United States Military Academy (USMA). First-class cadets, mere months or even weeks from graduating, would approach …

Great Opportunities for New Officers at the Old Guard

Clinton F. Grable

The 3rd US Infantry Regiment, “The Old Guard,” is the Army’s elite ceremonial unit stationed at Fort Myer, VA, just south of the nation’s Capital. …

Self-Care for the Junior Army Officer

Taryn Hagerman, Jordon Swain, Angela Yarnell

Netflix may make you a better leader... 22 self-care tips.

What do the U.S Army and Google Have in Common?

Mark Erwin

On many levels, the Army and Google are very different organizations.....

The Importance of Cross-X Mentorship

Lorenzo Llorente II

One of the most important things I have learned recently is the importance of having empathy for others that might not have the same views as you. Cross-X mentorship helps …

“I Believe You.” How to Support Soldiers Who Have Experienced Sexual Trauma

Hope Hack

It would be naïve and ignorant for an Army leader to assume that they neither have a survivor of sexual assault in their ranks nor will they ever meet a …

Lost and Found: Junior Leader Counseling in the Army

Michael Everett

How many formal counselings have you received during your military career? Can you count them on one hand? Two hands?

How Not to Suck at Gathering Feedback as an Army Leader

Jordon Swain & Chad Plenge

Many might think what follows is "common sense." But ask yourself, how many feedback initiatives have you been a part of? Have they all been effective? If you're anything like …

Broadening Opportunities for KD Complete Lieutenants

Flem B. Walker III

It is over, just like that. You spent four years at your commissioning source, dreaming of being the next Dick Winters as a Platoon Leader and it was over in …

So You’ve Received an Additional Duty

Clinton Grable

Congratulations, or I’m sorry that happened to you, whichever applies. Most likely it’s the latter....

Does Character Count? Reevaluating the OER’s Most “Check-the-Box” Attribute

Clinton Grable

Unfortunately, it’s not clear how much altruistic behaviors matter for an officer’s overall evaluation, especially relative to other, more quantifiable leader attributes and competencies.

The Power of Cognitive Diversity for Our Military

Amy Saxton

As the modern battlefield becomes increasingly complex, the U.S. military will require innovative and adaptive thinking to meet diverse challenges. Foreign adversaries and empowered non-state …

The Crucible of Company Command

Shawn Robertson and Jeff Masci

You have spent your nascent years preparing for this big moment—the moment that is often characterized as "the crucible" or "the rite of passage." Your …

A Junior Officer’s Guide to Leading Creativity in the Army

Jordon Swain & James Armstrong

Junior officers in the United States Army lack creativity - this is what a survey of Army leadership reveals. Why does this matter and what you can do about it?

Keep Calm and OCT On: The Hidden Benefits of OCT Taskings

Anna Rapp

The inevitable tasking comes down -- your unit is required to send Observer/Coach/Trainer (OCT) augmentees to support the rotation of the sister unit. However, OCT …

An Interview with COL Saslav of the 82nd Airborne- Building the Tools to Succeed as a Junior Officer

James S. McLaughlin

Junior officer leader development programs often have a strong focus on things like character, emotional intelligence, or the interpersonal skills necessary to lead formations or serve on staffs.....

Build Community with your Unit – Share their Task

Tom Dull

“Share the hardship.” A phrase often used by leaders to inspire subordinates in tactical training and operations such as live fires, ruck marches, and physical training. But in the most …

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