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The views and opinions expressed on this site are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the U.S. Government, the U.S. Army, or the United States Military Academy.

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 …

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........"

Simple Things, Executed Well

Anonymous & James Watson

Some knowledge from the past... revisited

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 …

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 …

Self-Care for the Junior Army Officer

Taryn Hagerman, Jordon Swain, Angela Yarnell

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

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. …

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

Mark Erwin

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

“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 …

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.

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....

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 …

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 …

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?

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.....

How to Become a Better Army Officer Through Golfing

Jordon Swain and Lorenzo Llorente

Golf can be a valuable leader development tool – and we are NOT talking metaphorically. Playing golf can help you develop actual knowledge, skills, and …

Own Your Own Grid Square- Build Trust and a More Effective Team

George Fust

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 …

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 …

Some Quick Tips on Maintenance and Leadership for Junior Officers

Jordon Swain

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 …

Drive by Leadership

Chad Plenge

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 …

The Cowardice and Casualties of Conflict Avoidance

MJ Cantrell

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.

Building Readiness through the Stoic Philosophy

Chris Slininger

"Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look" -Marcus Aurelius

Part 3 — Making the Switch: What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Field Grade Officer

Don Gomez

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 …

Making the Switch: What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Field Grade Officer

Don Gomez

Last week, the Army released the results of the 2021 Major Promotion Selection Board (PSB)......

Embarrassed? Or Wrong?

Ray Kimball

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 …

Three Things to Make You Good at Any Job

Lucas Thoma

Wisdom can come from the most unexpected places — like a bar.

Perspectives on the AIM 2.0 Marketplace — A Peek Behind the Curtain

Mark Gnodle, Michael Brodka, & John Hermida

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, …

Company-Grade to Field-Grade: Introducing “Making the Switch”

Don Gomez

Introducing our new series on "Making the Switch" from Company-Grade to Field-Grade.

The Mindful Leader

Jonathan Silk

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 …

Emergencies, Mental Models, and You

Dan Dworkis, MD PhD

Mental models are the conceptual frameworks that we use to explain how parts of reality work.......

Overcoming Fear as a New Leader

George Runkle

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 …

First 90 Days as an XO (Part 1)

Hugh Kennedy, Lorenzo Llorente II, Andrew Bordelon, and Terry Lee

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.

Emotional Intelligence: A Step on the Path to Developing “People First” Leaders

Taylor Freitas

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 …

Daring Vulnerability: Strengthening Teams by Discussing Fear

Frances “Katie” Walter

Army Officers are called to lead courageously. But we don’t always associate courage with vulnerability.

Why Junior Officers Should Volunteer

Clinton Grable - Published 17 AUG 2022

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 …

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