Here’s a few more ideas:

“Bad Leadership” by Barbara Kellerman – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/185913.Bad_Leadership

“Followership” by Barbar Kellerman – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2438898.Followership?from_search=true

‘Imbeciles’ by Adam Cohen – details the eugenics movement in the US in 1920’s, which is both fascinating to…[Read more]

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<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>…[Read more]

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<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>…[Read more]

You asked “are most Soldiers in the Army unfit?”: No, I do not think so.   I understand your confusion or perhaps culture shock when you compare your view of what PT looks like at WP versus in the “real Army”.   Consider, first, the population difference both in age and in position.  You’re looking at mid to late 20’s and people who’re going to be…[Read more]

I think you’re right to point out that at the platoon level is where the most effective level where the discussion of retirement can take place.  Small groups are always more effective in this sense.   This then enables you to then make it more than “just online training”.  For me, this is why I see conversations with leaders in the unit is a Lon…[Read more]

In short, I would say that “training” is objective standards ( the requirements are to run a range IAW regulation and post guidance) while “development” is subjective (actually running the range, interacting with soldiers on it, having the experience of a convoy there, etc .)

I’d also add development requires the individual to mentally engage…[Read more]

@jsnow2 , you asked what is being done at the unit level in FORSCOM.  Here’s what I’m doing in my unit.  As the Squadron S1,  I reviewed the DEPSECDEF’s memo that goes over the whole transition (available via S1Net on MilSuite), then sent a task out via the weekly tasking order that Soldiers have until 1 November to do the training (yes, I kn…[Read more]

My recommendations:

– “Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card (the level of self-reflection that Ender goes through is shocking because of how self-reflective it is a reader who is a leader.  It’s an unsettling book to read, and that’s why I recommend it)

– “Steal Like an Artist”  by Austin Kleon (especially the concepts of ‘do good work and share i…[Read more]

A few things come to mind, the short term of figuring out housing, and the long term of financial responsibility.

Housing: Depending on your post, this may vary.  My first duty station was in Germany (Wiesbaden aka Clay Kaserne) were single officers weren’t authorized to live on post due to space.  So upon getting to my duty station, I was i…[Read more]

@Cplenge, these are all excellent points that really are the next steps beyond just picking the post.  I agree with all of them, most especially the ones about financial planning and clothes.

Something I see a lot of people worrying about that I never really have  is housing.  I  have a theory that most people in the Army try to reserve their fut…[Read more]

Short and sweet answer: go where you want to be when you’re not at work.  You’ll enjoy time off, make new friends, and get out of the house.  The requirements for work takes care of itself.