No officer worth their weight wants to admit it. Being anxious or afraid prior to your first deployment is something you aren't dealing with -- it is something someone else …
CJO Series
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 …
How do you, as a junior officer, ensure you get an MQ, not an HQ? The reality is there is no way to guarantee a particular block -- but there …
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 …
How do I read more this year?" Many people you know have probably set a goal that encompasses this; maybe you even set a goal like this yourself. However, have …
One of the most common missions new junior leaders struggle to perform effectively is the qualification range. A range is a significant allocation of resources …
Was it Mel Gibson's portrayal of then LTC Hal Moore in We Were Soldiers or Bill Murray's performance in Stripes that most enticed you to join the service? How about …
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 …
Have you ever wondered how the officer promotion process works? This article pulls back the curtain and demystifies that process.
Army leadership at the company level is usually about the how, as in "How I accomplish the mission." We tear through Paragraph Three and focus on Tasks to Subordinate Units …
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 …
"Sign for this." A common phrase throughout one's Army career, usually associated with a gut drenching feeling of hesitance. So, what does this phrase actually …
Dual military couples face many decisions. Changing names in the military has many considerations, whether in the military or not.
When faced with an extremely challenging adverse situation (civilian or military, personal or professional), how do you handle it? Do you knuckle down, and face it head on? Do you …
When Platoon Leaders brief Operations Orders (OPORD), their briefing styles typically fall into one of three categories: a doctrinal style, a layman's style or a teaching style...
The purpose of this article is to provide insight into three U.S. Army Functional Areas from three separate officers who recently assessed into them. The respondents answer some very basic …
Troop-level command, for me as a prior service NCO, has been the professional highlight of my 14 year Army career. I just want to share a few simple lessons after …
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 …
The CC/PL Team asked "What would you do different if you could start your relationship over again with your Platoon Sergeant or a new one?"
The CC/PL Team asked company commanders "What is the most important task you do as a Commander each day [or week] as part of your personal battle rhythm?"