Brock, it’s a challenge for sure. For me as an M-day commander I led from the front. I have an awesome civilian job with great compensation. I lose money when I come on orders, but I do it. Leadership from the front. I also made sure that volunteers are rewarded somehow. I was incredibly liberal with our state achievement ribbons.

IDGAFs are…[Read more]

Yes, this is the story I remember reading. I believe this articulates what it means to be a leader. If I may take it a step further I don’t pretend to be a great third generation leader. I do know that everything I did as a commander became a role model for my soldiers. If I didn’t make it a priority then my troops wouldn’t. I can’t expect them…[Read more]

This is what I view as some of the problem we as a profession have allowed to develop. NCOs are always leaders, if we are just allowing them to turn wrenches I have to ask if we as officers are not doing our jobs.

OPTEMPO is never an excuse to move move from the fundamentals of leadership at the NCO ranks. Without the time and expectation of…[Read more]

Training is everything and everything is training…  This was written on a wall in my basic training DFAC.  I’ve taken it on as a bit of a mantra in the years since.  So how did I as a commander handle it?

1.  Look at every training requirement you have deliberately.  What are the tasks, conditions and standards?  There are a lot of train…[Read more]

Training is everything and everything is training…  This was written on a wall in my basic training DFAC.  I’ve taken it on as a bit of a mantra in the years since.  So how did I as a commander handle it?

1.  Look at every training requirement you have deliberately.  What are the tasks, conditions and standards?  There are a lot of train…[Read more]

I took command of a brigade HHC that had similar issues.  The answer is surprisingly yet complicated to execute.  I brought every NCO in my formation into the room and had regular mentoring discussions.  First focus on the NCO identity, I began by having an NCO read the creed.  We then focused on what it meant to them.  While lavertym is righ…[Read more]

Command in the Guard: its  a second full time job and if you aren’t willing to commit to that don’t do it.  You’re full timers are gold, use them. If you can’t trust them work on replacing them. Get to know your battalion’s AO.

1) Your best tool is your m-days. There is nothing to say your full time staff should run your APFT, ranges, UPL ect. I…[Read more]

I’m Cale. I was with the forums back in ’04 when they were a message board. I have experience as a PL, CDR and staff.

Brock,

As an M-day myself I agree its a huge commitment.  I considered it a second full time job.  For me, I found it useful to give my full time support staff guidelines.  They were very clear on my intent and my left and right limits as a commander.  For those moments I was off the net they were empowered to act.  I expected an update but bein…[Read more]

I commanded a BDE HHC.  It is a challenging command and a very stove piped command sometimes.  The key to my success was communication and long term planning.  You have no choice but to plan events into the future to ensure you aren’t stepping on toes.  But the BN/BDE XO/DCO is the key to your success.  I found as I coordinated with them they brou…[Read more]