Yes, it is absolutely worth attending. It’s important to have relationships with your installation entities so that they’re at your service to help out, and vice versa. Having good relationships with ACS, Family Advocacy, and Legal during my Command time was incredibly valuable to my success. Even if you can’t pay attention 100% to the death by…[Read more]

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]

1. Was your CCFSCC  / PCC worth attending?

Ours wasn’t worth the time. I wouldn’t fight attending though, since attending shows you care about doing the job well.

2. What was the most important thing you learned?

We received a robust calling tree that has proved useful when interacting with post entities. Receiving this in lieu of the course…[Read more]

This is such a killer thread, and I’ve wanted to contribute here for a hot minute. I’ve cycled through four commands. All of them were the best time in my military career… hard, but SO kick@$$. Taking Command is like becoming a parent. You won’t feel ready, but you are at the same time.

So, understanding that there is LOTS of great advice here,…[Read more]

Team, the series can be followed through the search bar with “Student to Lieutenant,” or the first few posts here:

Student to Lieutenant

Student to Lieutenant pt.2

Student to Lieutenant pt.3

I hope you keep…[Read more]

I went through some old e-mails and found my old company TACSOP. It does some defensive tasks but it’s more for overall and what we used and we had printed out for all the senior leaders to have on them before we went to NTC. I agree with Joe about defense. A convoy will still need to defend itself and  that is up to either your guys or a mix of…[Read more]

Starship Troopers – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120201/

9th Company (subs not dubs) – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0417397/

Patton – https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0066206/

None of these are a manual to success, but there’s so many examples worth discussing.

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?

Ah, politics… Both a pro (if you’re in the in) and a con (if you’re in the out). Personally, I learned a long time ago that you have to learn to play the politics game; one way or another. You learn to play, or it will crush you. However, as you said, in order to be successful and still maintain your professionalism, learn to play the game but…[Read more]

On of the best I’ve seen, and actually blew Soldiers away when I show them is an old one called The Devil’s Brigade, 1968, staring William Holden, Cliff Robertson, and Vince Edwards. It’s an excellent example of planning, preparation, and execution, as well as a character driven, opposed to special effects driven story.

@ae_rollinson, thanks for the additions and AG perspective.

For those interested, check out the post/tools for Letters of Introduction. These should absolutely be sent before every new assignment. Templates are provided in this discussion thread. Definitely a best practice!

Letter of Introduction to CO

Dallas,

As an OC/T I can tell you the biggest issue I witness with LOG units is how we effectively secure ourselves. It warms my heart to see you training this important Collective Task. Task and Evaluation Outline (TEO) 63-CO-0727, Conduct Unit Defense, is what we use to evaluate units at all CTC rotations. If you go through the TEO, it will l…[Read more]

I agree with letting the unit know, but you could also get burned by it. I had two courses that would have lined up great after Career Course. Only to be told the BN needed me immediately for a staff job and to not go to the courses. I haven’t been to an Army school in 3 yrs because of that. I hope it works out for you better then it did me.

To echo @ae_rollinson, check the JTR or even check out MilSuite/book.

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)?