cplenge/ basic writting skills! It seem as though the recomendors are making the achievements sound too eloquent and forget the basic rule of writting K.I.S (keep it simple)

gregoryhacker/ we do have a BN Policy Letters which states our timelines as well as standard citations. The problem is mainly with the achievements, recommenders are w…[Read more]

Thanks for the link, @rakimball, I’ll dig up the data off MilSuite and will post here.

In the meantime FWIW, I agree with @cplenge that distinguishing between 1 of at least 3 distinct problems that could be all happening at once is very important … and challenging.  Initial help, I’d say make sure to communicate the specific issue to…[Read more]

Thank you! Things have gotten much better however having someone else’s prospective on my situation wouldn’t be a bad idea!

I’ll be happy to link up with another fellow AG Officer!

#AGATW

@george-l-gurrola

I try to teach the biggies; SHARP, suicide prevention, and resilience at a minimum. Having served 22 years, I have a perspective not many CPT’s have. It’s fun watching the faces of new troops when we discuss how “life changing” or “bad” getting an article 15 can be, and I point out that it doesn’t have to destroy your life……[Read more]

Incomplete list… Missing WTF; IDGAF; FUBAR; and JAFO to name a few.

Hah!

Thanks for the share.

Brock

Forgot to answer your last question – how do we make sure Soldiers are doing the right things? I think this also is a benefit of the “ask questions” culture. If leaders encourage questions, then Soldiers will come with questions more often (because they’re comfortable doing so) allowing leaders to course correct more frequently instead of catching…[Read more]

I really like your emphasis on adopting change in the “tyranny of the now” discussion.  You’re absolutely right that it is our nature to slip back into what’s known or comfortable, especially in a time of crisis even if a new technique could be better but its untested. How do you think we as leader’s can help stop that slippage back to the norm…[Read more]

I think in order for “things just to happen” you have to set the conditions – meaning the right tools need to be at your disposal – and being in an organization where “getting your stuff done” is the expectation. The organizational culture needs to encourage asking questions, but also emphasizing ownership of those tasks.

So for example, when I…[Read more]

There’s some really good points here that resonated with me. I agree with Jeff ( @x70037 ) that maybe a different title would be helpful. I also agree with Chad’s concerns about alcohol, as well as some of Brock’s counterpoints.

I personally think it significantly comes down to the US drinking age being 21 and alcohol (which is a drug, just as…[Read more]

@brock.j.young – great points about being cautious and bringing up commanders who over-react. Similar to Command Climate Assessments/ Surveys, it is important to gain perspective on people’s comments and as they say separate the signal from the noise.  Soldiers will complain, it is human nature. However, I argue what separates good and great…[Read more]

george.l.gurrola

The first thing I want to say for the young officers reading this, be VERY careful with the anonymous comment boxes. I have seen those things destroy units, especially when you have commanders who act and react on every complaint, rumor and innuendo, even when the note is anonymous. The idea board has merit, but just be…[Read more]

Great post, Chad! There’s tons in here and I love the variety.  13 pages is for sure a lot of variety!! A few things that resonated with me, in no particular order:

– “Be curious”. I think that’s a great way to inspire questions without relying on the trope far too often leaned on of ‘I’m just a LT/SGT/etc, what do I know?’. Everyone can be…[Read more]