Oh yes. YES!!! Effing, yes! Policy letters. Consider me #triggered.

This is a great sub-topic under preparing for command. This should be SUPER easy, but as @smehr has found it’s just… not. Why? Well, turns out, go figure, it’s complicated. There is no 100% universal, standardized list of required policy letters. Huh? How is that possible?…[Read more]

One thing I don’t see addressed here are company policy letters.  I’m currently wading through the sludge of previously-utilized letters/memos and coming to the realization that many are unnecessary and/or out of date.  Does anyone have a list of required policy memos (i.e: SHARP, EO, open door)?  If we create and maintain a repository of re…[Read more]

@jared.kobylski, this requires a few steps. The Engineer Qualification Tables (EQTs) have jumped around in different publications in the eight years I’ve been in.

If you look at the Engineer School Knowledge Network (ESKN @ https://www.ako1.us.army.mil/suite/grouppage/17137), in the Frequently Asked Questions, the EQTs are now located in the…[Read more]

Justin,

I do not have a written SOP.  Instead, I place them into a PL slot.  For example my current TO&E has the XO leading my headquarters platoon.  I will place an SMP cadet into a “PL” slot there and treat them the same as a new PL.  The challenge with SMP cadets is that they frequently have other commitments to the ROTC program with FTXs and…[Read more]

I would recommend “A Bridge Too Far” https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075784/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1 for its staff dynamics and primers in groupthink and its mission impacts.

I would say that Game of Thrones has many valuable lessons to be learned. Very often, the show juxtaposes very different Leaders and the consequences of their choices.

Specifically, The Battle of the Bastards shows a good juxtaposition between Ramsay Bolton and Davos Seaworth while they make decisions on whether to fire arrows (ah yes, an i…[Read more]

This is an interesting change. I apologize, I will probably get off-topic, but it is what it is.

I think the SFRG will still likely be inspected during OIP inspections, as there is a lot of risk involved when you talk about money.

About two years ago, the installation I was stationed at took a major look at (then) FRGs and fundraising. The issue…[Read more]

Whew!! ~10 miles on a the bike w/ resistance, ~4 mile row, or 3/4 mile swim. Yeeehaw! That’s kicking it for 25 mins (or less).

@copp – agreed, it’s such a great series! Do you have a favorite episode or scene?

I’m not an avid reader, but here are some options (these are not all strictly books):

– Engineer – The Professional Bulletin of Army Engineers (https://home.army.mil/wood/index.php/contact/publications/engr_mag). This is an important one. When you go to EBOLC, you will see this magazine in the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence (MSCoE)…[Read more]

What a great post! My thoughts are:

How did you prepare for company command? I trusted my training and had an open mind. Yes, PME has gaps, and CCC is not really structured to teach you how to be a commander. But think of all the development you’ve received over the years. All the counselings (hopefully), all the training, these are the things…[Read more]

Santi,

Welcome to post command. I learned more in post command thinking about what I had done, why I did it and how to be better.  What I love about your post is the honesty and self reflection. Thanks for for the contribution

“Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.”

Yes, yes, yes!!! I was just talking with my Arbinger class this morning- sometimes we really do have to fake it til we make it. But man…the ripple effect of pumping some positive attitude into the office is HUGE. Even when it’s hard to do it, optimistic attitudes really are contagious.

What resonates…[Read more]

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and vulnerabilities as you reflect on your command time. It’s all so true- and for many of us, it does take going through the experience to really be able to take a step back and look at the lessons learned. It’s easy to say what we “wish” we had done differently, but you ARE human and you did your BEST with…[Read more]

These are great, Tiara! I’ve heard these so many times I had forgotten they were all Colin Powell. Which one resonates with you?