Our articles are written by leaders from all walks of life with the intent of developing and inspiring the Army’s Junior Leaders
In the words of one NCOs I worked with, “officers will always be shown respect simply because of the rank........"
Articles
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 …
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 …
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. …
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 …
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 …
How many formal counselings have you received during your military career? Can you count them on one hand? Two hands?
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 …
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 …
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 …
Congratulations, or I’m sorry that happened to you, whichever applies. Most likely it’s the latter....
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.
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 …
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?
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 …
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.....
The smallest lapse in discipline or unaccomplished task may result in mission failure. No matter how big or small the contribution, every member of the organization relies on every other …
“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 …
Golf can be a valuable leader development tool – and we are NOT talking metaphorically. Playing golf can help you develop actual knowledge, skills, and …
I've served with more than a few Majors and Lieutenant Colonels who didn't know what a 5988E or a 2404 were, didn't know where their BII was stored in their …
"Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look" -Marcus Aurelius
Being non-confrontational can have its upsides. Conflict-avoidant people aren't prone to burning bridges, and based on observation, they tend to strengthen teams rather than weaken them.
This is Part 3 of a Series, view the series intro here and Part 2 here. Note: Quotes and feedback have been anonymized and modified for clarity.It has …
It was about 4:30 am and my Soldiers were showing up for their law enforcement shift. I was going to work in place of one of them, giving a lucky …
Last week, the Army released the results of the 2021 Major Promotion Selection Board (PSB)......
It's impossible to know, of course, but I have a hunch why. I was the Distinguished Guest Speaker, after all. Even though I was nominally junior to most of the …
The AIM 2.0 Marketplace can be daunting even for those who have navigated its changing structure over several movement cycles. We look at the Marketplace from three perspectives: the mover, …
Have you ever been in the middle of an important conversation with your subordinate and while they are speaking your mind wanders, or you look down at your mobile device …
Mental models are the conceptual frameworks that we use to explain how parts of reality work.......
Volunteering, while no panacea, may be one of the best activities junior officers can do outside of duty hours. Let’s talk about how this often-unexplored …
But what happens after your time as a PL is over? More often than not you might find yourself serving as a Company Executive Officer.
Army Officers are called to lead courageously. But we don’t always associate courage with vulnerability.
The purpose of these weeks was clear: To show me that I was an absolute disgrace who should not be listened to, and not worthy of the honor of leading …
Emotional Intelligence (EI) is one of the most vital assets available to Army leaders; however, its cultivation often takes a backburner to other elements like …
After all, this is your first real test as an Officer and what you have aspired to be up until this point right? But what happens after your time as …
The Captain’s Career Course is an amazing experience, and you can learn so much from it. To be successful you need to start preparing before you enter the door. Take …