We never had an “SOP,” but I used common sense factor TTPs as well previous military experience, to decide on how to develop them further.

Year 1/2 SMPs with no/little military experience; I would attach them to a team leader and then squad leader. Let them learn the ropes at the team and squad levels and see down and dirty, tactical level…[Read more]

Here are a couple example conops:

https://juniorofficer.army.mil/?s=conop

Bringing this discussion back!

Company commanders, anything new to add?

How has recent strategic guidance (Large-scale combat ops, Focus on China/Russia, focus on ‘expeditionary’ etc) impacted your command or unit?

– What are your first steps toward leader-leader?

The author said it best, “each organization is different and unique. The people making up the organization have different backgrounds and a different level of tolerance for empowerment.” Given that view, leader-leader model starts with assessing yourself, how you (as a leader) fit in your…[Read more]

The question is how do you define the term “best” for developing officers.  Is it promotion to Cpt, promotion to major?  For branches such as infantry where most of their soldiers are located at the brigade and below level, I think you absolutely have to serve in a maneuver brigade within your first 2 duty assignments.

Being a devil’s advocate b…[Read more]

Should you want to be “missed” from your organization after you leave? Why or why not?

I really like this question. As a co cdr, I saw the impact that short-sighted initiatives had on the unit.  As the book  Turn the Ship Around!   shows, this question relates to the fact that many officers (being pessimistic) drive their units to the ground know…[Read more]

From what I’ve seen (in the ARNG at least), LTs and CPTs don’t know enough about the bigger picture. The “why” behind the things they are required to do at the company level. Why things are formatted the way they are; done the way they are; where they need to go to find information, etc. I’ve seen officers fail miserably when they go from PL to XO…[Read more]

Not to totally agree with everyone here, however agreed! Your initial counseling is just that; the INITIAL counseling. It will show your subordinates what your expectations are going forward, as well as what they can expect from you. Course corrections and head-space-and-timing checks can take place at that 3-6 drill mark. Like you, I had some…[Read more]

@vanezzaospina,

I think that’s where people get jammed up needlessly as well; grammar. How I articulate something is different than how the next person does, and I’m sure it’s the same across the force. I would offer that grammar is less important than content when it comes to the achievements specifically  (which is why the SOP/policy is so…[Read more]