Here are a couple example conops:

https://juniorofficer.army.mil/?s=conop

Bringing this discussion back!

Company commanders, anything new to add?

How has recent strategic guidance (Large-scale combat ops, Focus on China/Russia, focus on ‘expeditionary’ etc) impacted your command or unit?

– What are your first steps toward leader-leader?

The author said it best, “each organization is different and unique. The people making up the organization have different backgrounds and a different level of tolerance for empowerment.” Given that view, leader-leader model starts with assessing yourself, how you (as a leader) fit in your…[Read more]

Great advice from all above. I’d also recommend preparing analogue tracking systems (i.e. – what are you using when your digital tracking and reporting goes down) ahead of time. Print and place in doc protectors everything from patient movement and disposition trackers, CLVIII status, map overlays, printed concept of med support that covers all 10…[Read more]

The question is how do you define the term “best” for developing officers.  Is it promotion to Cpt, promotion to major?  For branches such as infantry where most of their soldiers are located at the brigade and below level, I think you absolutely have to serve in a maneuver brigade within your first 2 duty assignments.

Being a devil’s advocate b…[Read more]

Should you want to be “missed” from your organization after you leave? Why or why not?

I really like this question. As a co cdr, I saw the impact that short-sighted initiatives had on the unit.  As the book  Turn the Ship Around!   shows, this question relates to the fact that many officers (being pessimistic) drive their units to the ground know…[Read more]

These are great resolutions and comments.

Resolution #1 Read a book a month. This can be done by reading at night (instead of #netflix), keeping track of pages read (reading habits), and having an accountability partner.

Resolution #2 Write more often. Look for opportunities to reflect while seeking opportunities to write in journals etc.

@smehr – thank you for the feedback and the positive comment!

I recommend you also take a look at some of the interviews as well as the leader’s log to delve into some of the challenges and opportunities Commanders are facing.

Here is the latest command interview.

LINK or address at:…[Read more]

Wow, that sounds amazing! Do you have a conop or more info on the planning/execution of the event? For example, hw long did you have for the “healthy discussion.” I feel oftentimes there are misunderstandings that can easily be solved by having honest conversations and feedback. Your method, when done properly, seems to be very effective.

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]