I would recommend reaching out to USAR units that might be near to where you’re going to be, and see if you can SUTA (that’s a National Guard term for drilling with another unit/at an alternate location). The USAR is lucky in the fact there are USAR units in Europe, the Pacific, etc., so it should be doable. That’s not to say it might also include…[Read more]

I’ll have to think about some of those things (being I’m still a CPT), however there is one thing that I have seen time and time again in officers who are in similar circumstances to myself; that being AGR (active) in the Guard. Full time officers in the National Guard (and I’m sure it’s the same in the USAR) quickly forget that the bulk of the…[Read more]

Brock and Cale,

Where can leveraging adjacent active duty units help NG? Meaning, can your AGR folks tie-in and use facilities, resources and fall-in to train with AD units? We did some of that in Europe, and it received lots of praise, attention, backing from the big wigs on both sides, they were loving the total army concept. NG/USAR was one of…[Read more]

A point on the pay; yes, Soldiers do get paid, however it becomes a cost-benefit decision. SSG X/CPT G, a mid level civilian or law enforcement professional makes $80-$90k a year before overtime. Normal drill already eats into Soldiers’ civilian careers. Now add MUTA 6-8s (3 and 4 day drills), emergency activations, mil schools, etc. Now you have…[Read more]

This is how bad it’s gotten in many Guard units. I’ve told LTs that if they want to set themselves apart from their peers they have to one thing, give a “sh*t,” just a little. Now this may seem like a simple thing, but look around you. How many officers (and NCOs), actually CARE. Care about their subordinates, care about the profession, care about…[Read more]

I told my students, 1. show-up fired up, energetic, eager to learn and stay positive, 2. work hard and learn fast and 3. pick yourself up and dust yourself off, then reapply 1. and 2.

@cplenge,

This is one of those situations where both are right.

From my own experience and observation, leaders at all levels FAIL to develop subordinates. BN/BDE level ODP/LDP/NCODP are worthless, often dry, detail free PP or briefs with briefers who were chosen last minute (opposed to being chosen for their strength) and given no guidance on…[Read more]

I commanded 22 months. We were very busy, on the threshold of overwhelming. I finished #1 FST cdr, though I took over one of the bottom 2 troops in regiment. Along the way we transformed from making excuses, always complaining to an excellent team, family addicted to winning, being the best.

The Command Climate Survey is worthless in my opinion.…[Read more]

It depends on unit op tempo. If the unit is very busy then you have to consider blocking /protecting time on calendar. If it isn’t unreasonably busy (this excludes 10 divisions worth of units and then some), then leaders must find time outside of work hours (either lunch or O-call or off-site).

@jeremyboeh

I feel your pain. AGR, since 2012. Aide, PL, BN A-S3, full time BN 3, S1, Company Commander, BDE A-S3… It never seems to stop.

I recommend attacking it just like any other M-day commander does. Work out a daily battle rhythm of when and what you need to do, and then pen in some time for your Company Command role. We’re lucky that…[Read more]

 
In talking about social media, I think it’s important to note which perspective we are speaking from.
For me, social media is a double edged sword. I run the Clinical Support Division at Evans and we are currently in tough times as we turned off enrollment for our retirees and folks retiring off Active Duty. We have to make room for an incoming…[Read more]

@george-l-gurrola

I try to teach the biggies; SHARP, suicide prevention, and resilience at a minimum. Having served 22 years, I have a perspective not many CPT’s have. It’s fun watching the faces of new troops when we discuss how “life changing” or “bad” getting an article 15 can be, and I point out that it doesn’t have to destroy your life……[Read more]

Incomplete list… Missing WTF; IDGAF; FUBAR; and JAFO to name a few.

Hah!

Thanks for the share.

Brock

george.l.gurrola

The first thing I want to say for the young officers reading this, be VERY careful with the anonymous comment boxes. I have seen those things destroy units, especially when you have commanders who act and react on every complaint, rumor and innuendo, even when the note is anonymous. The idea board has merit, but just be…[Read more]

In my experience, civilians working within the military organization can be a challenge, or an asset. In CA, we have both dual-status and Title 5 (non-dual status) Federal Technicians, and while I don’t currently lead any, I have in the past, and have also been one. Like @fightingengineer said, you have to tread lightly when leading civilians.
One…[Read more]

I always advised juniors that if they are right, to first, make double-sure they are in fact right, and then it does not matter if the said “toxic” leader outranks them, because nothing outranks doing the right thing.

You prevent bottom-up toxicity as well by being transparent, engaged, present and setting the tone for the climate, as an officer…[Read more]

I’d engage the HHC CDR, show the counselings and the plan of action and how that plan of action isn’t working – ensure that counselings have been closed out, as well as any letters of concern. Naturally the HHC 1SG will also be interested in what this person is doing and if there’s any way to improve them/give them a chance to improve.

All your…[Read more]