These are excellent points! I was thinking inside the house (literally)!

Overlaying family goals onto the discussion of finances and transitioning from a student to an officer is really important. I think this can range from married to a civilian, stay-at-home spouse, dual career, dual military, not to mention what goals or plans of children…[Read more]

Here’s an old conversation from last year about finances that also ties into balancing large purchases: https://juniorofficer.army.mil/discussion/living-conditions/#post-793

Here’s my take on your categories:
Kitchen –
CrockPot v2 – InstaPot or a digital crockpot. DO NOT get an IoT pot, it’s not worth the security issue and you’ll be too busy to…[Read more]

1) Broadening Opportunities – I will say that overall, I suggest that Broadening is being seen as not a deviation as the next step after KD. Go ahead a check out the Smartbook PAM 600-3 (via MilSuite, under S1Net) and you’ll see that is expressed under your branch’s career chart (possibly called the Talent Management Career Timeline now). I will…[Read more]

@brittany.rodriguez – tracking the thread. Awesome question, Brittney. I’m going to have to wrack my brain and consult some resources, so hang tight for a few days and early next week I should be able to post some resources. I admit that I’ve only worked with officers going the other way (RA to USAR), and while USAR is also controlled by HRC,…[Read more]

@vanezzaospina – Great work on filling in systems gaps in your shop. This work will go a LONG WAY towards stabilizing processes and creating predicability for folks. Keep in mind that with systems creation, it is a steep learning curve, but the outcome is worth it, every single time. So keep at (with this or other projects)!

BLUF: TCS orders…[Read more]

@chris_s , this is the second time I’ve stumbled upon you on the Forum here and not recognized you! Ha! Your road trip and partner-in-crime sound awesome! Happy listening.

I just saw your original post included ‘listening to news’. Recommend NYT “The Daily” for 20-30 min deep dives on a single topic, and then a 1 min recap on ‘here’s what else…[Read more]

@adam.szcypka – ahh, I think I understand now. So you’re using “it wins wars” as the can-opener to get people riled up and engaged in the topic. Yes?

I’m finding this a challenging topic, for sure. Hopefully that means you will get a great discussion out of the LPD! I admit that I’m not following your arguments very well. I’m guessing these are…[Read more]

@chris_s – Here’s my 2 cents. For me, leadership isn’t strictly the military aspects of the Army, but how we interact with people, why things are so, and applying lessons others (mil and civ) have learned in their own experiences. So, for me, it’s a very wide lens to try to pick up TTPs. That in mind, here’s my list of pods that I keep coming…[Read more]

I’ll second that about iPERMS! Brock, I’d say it’s a great Army practice, regardless of COMPO. Between boards and continuty of service and, eventually, records compilaiton for future generations, I’d suggest records of the like are very important to file as soon as you can. It’s always easier to do a little bit of work at a time instead of doing…[Read more]

This is a fascinating idea, good question! In short, I would say that officers have the role of “planners” and enlisted have the role of “doers”. Now disclaimer – that is a gross oversimplification (even if stereotypes are mental shortcuts) and very watered down. It’s kind of a rephrasing of @spatelis – if you’re constantly trying to plan into the…[Read more]

@murphys_law – I’ve never seen it, what resonates with you about it?

One that I keep coming back to again and again is “Imitation Game” (2014). http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2084970/?ref_=nv_sr_1

I saw this film after an assignment in INSCOM and it really resonated with me just how much dialogue strikes the nitty-gritty of intelligence work. I think most people focus on the cool guy persona with having a higher…[Read more]

Awesome! Could you go into more detail or even add a video link (YouTube)? What aspects jumped out at you? Was there a behavior a character consistently models to show a result you highlighted to your Soldiers? What jumped out to them?

I’m curious on other’s thoughts on their in-processing experiences with other BOLCs. I also wonder how much of this is specific to the post you experienced BOLC at versus other posts.

So! I’ll start off about Fort Jackson for AG BOLC. I don’t remember too much about my in processing at BOLC (being a few years ago), except that my leave form…[Read more]

Love this post, Brock! Thanks for clarifying a confusing and/or complicated process in simplest terms.

Can you clarify more on the policy you’re looking for, what’s the specific question you’re trying to answer? Also, have you reviewed Joint Travel Regulation (edition FY15)?