I know in the book the author takes a very negative view of the ‘whatever they tell me to do’ and I think you rightly point out it can be a key indicator of poor morale and motivation.

Still, I wonder if there still isn’t some value in it at some level.  I mean, we want ‘disciplined initiative’ – not insubordination or going on your own…[Read more]

I was struck by the question “Are you asking questions to make sure you know or make sure they know? Why?”

My initial reaction was ‘both’ – I think both are things I would pursue.  However, I also wonder – in the frame of leadership – if my personal motivation matters as much as what I communicate to subordinates?

I mean, I may be asking about…[Read more]

I think this is exactly right – and the ‘right’ answer we look for from leaders in the Army.  However, when I reflect on it from my own experience I know I’ve failed many times at jobs I thought I was executing ‘successfully’ to really institute things that lived beyond my tenure.  I know that’s something I’ve seen repeatedly in units I’ve s…[Read more]

Sorry to come in late to the discussion.  I thought the comparing definitions question very interesting – as I had a much different answer in my head before re-reading the chapter, then re-reading 6-22.

I thought the book definitions on leadership for both weren’t significantly different.  But I think from experience – and from the book – the N…[Read more]

Are you asking questions to make sure you know or make sure they know? Why?

I think most of my questions toward my subordinates within my current organization are to make sure my Soldiers know. Soldiers within my section have less than two years time in service with no previous experience in our profession. They are in the early stages of …[Read more]

Aloha! This is what I was able to gather from my husband who has ran this type of ranges.

Hope it helps!

“The attached Range cards (EXAMPLES) is what we utilize to qualify the gunners and assistant gunners on the Crew serve weapons in my unit.

They are both from TC 3-22×50 for the M2 Machine Gun and TC.

If you follow the ammo breakdown and…[Read more]

I come at motivating my subordinates from a side angle – I forbid then from using the word “just”. “I’m just a LT #pull the LT card”, “I’m just a SPC #ShameShield”.   Frequently when in a position of Staff OIC (and I’d say as officers in general), we’re the newbies in the room.  The NCOS and Soldiers have been there sometimes years ahead of us.  …[Read more]

From what I’ve seen (in the ARNG at least), LTs and CPTs don’t know enough about the bigger picture. The “why” behind the things they are required to do at the company level. Why things are formatted the way they are; done the way they are; where they need to go to find information, etc. I’ve seen officers fail miserably when they go from PL to XO…[Read more]

Also,  Arianna, think about packing beyond the official unit packing list. Look at what is either very very generalized (‘hygiene kit’… “you know what you need, Soldier”) or not listed / implied (weather- / season-based gear).

To speak directly of the hygiene kit for a moment, female Soldiers need to be prepared with 1-2 months of menstrual…[Read more]

@arianna_howard : a small skill (implied most times), but a very important one, is radio etiquette.  It increases efficiency and clarity of comms, and (especially for both OC’s who don’t know you and the CC/1SG and fellow BN staff who is getting to know working with you) shows you know how to navigate the conversations. Quite simply, it shows y…[Read more]

Not to totally agree with everyone here, however agreed! Your initial counseling is just that; the INITIAL counseling. It will show your subordinates what your expectations are going forward, as well as what they can expect from you. Course corrections and head-space-and-timing checks can take place at that 3-6 drill mark. Like you, I had some…[Read more]

Great question and way to think ahead!

First every MEDO has to answer the 10 questions.  How does your plan ensure that you can accomplish the 10 functional areas?  Running a BAS means knowing where to evacuate and when to evacuate.

Next the combat arm guys will (rightfully so) your plan to nest into their larger maneuver plans.  How are you go…[Read more]

Great question!  In my experience as a Guard PL and Commander 30 days is too long.  You have maybe 24 drills as a PL.  It will fly.

You should be having weekly conversations with your PSG at a minimum.  There is a ton that will happen in the space between drills and if you show up expecting to get a quick download you’re setting yourself up for…[Read more]

@vanezzaospina,

I think that’s where people get jammed up needlessly as well; grammar. How I articulate something is different than how the next person does, and I’m sure it’s the same across the force. I would offer that grammar is less important than content when it comes to the achievements specifically  (which is why the SOP/policy is so…[Read more]

Thank you for the advice! I need to hear that. So much is changing while I will be away and it does make me nervous. I’d love to hear more about your PhD experience! Are you MSC?

@cale,

Excellent point (so much so I added a #4 to my original post). Some of the old salts have seen and maybe experienced those times that UCMJ action could have been leveraged but wasn’t, and how much better the outcome was because of it. The situation becomes a teaching point that has long lasting positive effects, opposed to something that…[Read more]

Brock,

Great discussion theme!  UCMJ and its application can have wide reaching impact on an organization’s culture.  As a young E4 I remember a buddy getting an Article 15.  Looking back it was justified and correct but what still galls me is that an NCO did the same thing and was just counseled.  When I challenged my leadership about this ine…[Read more]