@pstofan – you bring up a great point, and one that was a big point of discussion at my last ball. Knowing the difference between a Dining In, Dining Out, and Ball will help @pauljwilkerson get off on the right foot while you concurrently get guidance from your BN leadership. It’s interesting you mention BN XO, I’ve always seen BN CDR give very…[Read more]

This is a great question to ask and to get smart on because it’s been a bit of a hot topic for a while now! I’ve yet to be in a Brigade where the BN or BDE commander didn’t want to change the MTOE of a subordinate unit.

The short answer: Talk to a Force Manager. Expect a lot of paperwork, justification, and time to do the request. It’s an…[Read more]

Spending lots of time as an S1 means that if been to lots of balls in handful of units. Sit tight, let me contact some people. What’s your first task?

That’s a really creative idea with the ambient! I’ve never seen anyone do that before. *fist bump*

Your question phrases transitioning , but I argue that it’s not so much a transition to having the skill at the ready. You don’t transition to a time where you’re great at PT or rifle range, you just have the skills and apply them when needed. The skill I think you’re best looking to pinpoint, define, and practice is Empathy.

It’s not…[Read more]

This is widely position and rank dependent in my opinion – a PL and a Staff Primary and a Commander will have widely different experiences and required preparations. I always try to remind myself of what is the Right way of doing business (doctrine, regulation) vs. the SOP (the way We do things in the unit, office, Bde, etc.), and start to…[Read more]

@celineoh, you’re absolutely right that interactions in a classroom and drastically different than ones face to face. I learned this as a cadet when I got back to my room one day to find my roommate taking her routine afternoon nap. But as I came in, another friend of ours was also in the room and it turns out they were talking about some pretty…[Read more]

potential bug : a very quick double-click on a post / message post (like when I’ve imbibed too much coffee) will double post the content. To use really technical terms … is there a way for the site to recognize that a selection has been made / not use a double click to post or message someone?

And on a related note, there isn’t a way to delete…[Read more]

I’ve noticed that it doesn’t hyperlink (like in other social media) while drafting, but it will once posted. So it’s a bit of a trust thing to get the username right.

I think the last few responses have taken perspectives that if a Soldier wants to ETS, they either aren’t meeting the mold of the Army (aren’t cut out) or it’s a miscommunication and they can be talked out of it.

My initial question has now adjusted to this: how do others react when a Soldier has faithfully and honorably served, has a plan, and…[Read more]

First question: yes, having a focus during an “ORB scrub” of what your eMILPO looks like would be very helpful.

Second question: maybe / it should. The first and biggest push for IPPS-A was to ensure that things related to finances (what you get paid / what’s listed on your LES) came first on the SRB (around 2015 or 16). As the IPPSA designers…[Read more]

First question: yes, having a focus during an “ORB scrub” of what your eMILPO looks like would be very helpful.

Second question: maybe / it should. The first and biggest push for IPPS-A was to ensure that things related to finances (what you get paid / what’s listed on your LES) came first on the SRB (around 2015 or 16). As the IPPSA designers…[Read more]

How do others reconcile talent management with Soldiers on track to ETS (i.e. no interest in reenlisting)?

For those interested in the long version … Grab a cup of coffee and prop your feet up…let’s start with a short database lesson.

what is eMILPO: when you go to an S1 shop, sit down next to a desk to update your DD93/SGLI, you sit there for a few minutes, then you insert your CAC into an external card reader, and hopefully they have you check…[Read more]

At the request of @spatelis: here’s the short translation of the above documents:

It’s going to rock some people’s worlds (S1 or not) because it’s a significant cultural change for officers not being able to just walk into an S1, get a fix, and walk out with a new ORB in hand. I’m speculating that either anything done in TOPMIS will disappear…[Read more]