The tasks never stop, do they? A bit of good news is that we have shortened the list of AR 350-1 mandatory training requirements this past year.  Hopefully, people are listening to us as we continuously beat that drum.   Over the years I have learned a few lessons on how to prioritize my list of mandatory tasks.

1.  What metrics are being reported by the brigade, and what are my bosses priorities?  Understanding this has come from my time on staff.  I think it’s important that company commanders get staff time before they take command so they can understand what’s being graded or required from the brigade as a whole.  My boss has his or her own list of priorities and mine should be nested with those. Those priorities change depending on the ARFOGEN cycle.

2. What constitutes a “go” “no go.”  This one is a bit of a loophole.  When does it count at training?   Not every requirement requires a set of slides.  Think SHARP and ACE.  Company grade officers and NCOs should be able to conduct this training without slides in small group discussions. Just make sure there is a roster.  What percentage of the unit has to participate to turn that red bubble green? I struggled early on to find space where 100% of the unit was going to be available.  Turns out that is usually one or two days a year! I figured out what constituted a quorum to give me a go in that training and started knocking it out that way.  If my platoons are split up, I make sure the PLs know to conduct X,Y or Z training and submit the roster.

3. Fit it in where you can get it in. I commanded a company that didn’t leave for lunch because of our location, so we always had lunch catered in and everyone was always in the same location at 1200 every Sat and Sun.  I took advantage of this and conducted mandatory training briefs during lunch.  Be creative. I did try and fail at getting everyone to do the training online, and honestly, when I did it myself I felt that it took longer and was less interesting/entertaining than watching officers and NCOs give the training.

4.  Accept some risk.  Once you figure out what your boss’ priorities are and you figure out what your priorities are, what is left over is what you look at and determine if you can take the acceptable risk in not accomplishing that training.  MAJ Crispin Burke wrote a great article on this subject that’s published in AUSA, https://www.ausa.org/articles/no-time-literally-all-requirements, and he echoes that by saying, “It takes maturity and moral courage to know how and when to break the rules. And while we must never violate ethical standards or safety provisions, leaders at all levels have an obligation to prioritize requirements and let nonessential tasks fall by the wayside, when necessary.”