• Do you act first and think later? Or do you think first and then change your actions?

I have learned over the years to take my time with decision making (as much as time will allow). Decisions in my field tend to be pretty complex and proper analysis needs to be done to determine the best course of action. Much of my life over the past year…[Read more]

— How do you recognize situations where you need to resist the urge to provide solutions?
I work closely with the CPT who took my previous job from me. There are a handful of people in the facility who come to me with questions pertaining to his job- because they know I’ll know the answer. I used to answer these questions for them because I love…[Read more]

“Discomfort with uncertainty” – that’s exactly what I was going to say. I may take control of a situation because I am nervous about the outcome. It could be because it’s a project that my boss has shown interest in so I’m on edge about the final product looking good.

I love how these chapters paint a picture that a leader having too much control…[Read more]

Is there a topic of discussion here? Happy to weigh in since I have worked with and supervised far more civilians than soldiers 🙂

The Navy definition and concept of leadership sounds a lot more like “management”. The beginning of the book talks about how empowerment and innovation aren’t necessarily welcome. Naval leaders aren’t really looking for influential thinkers- they’re looking for more of a transactional leader that they can count on to get the job done. It’s all…[Read more]

How can you get your boss to let you try a different way of doing things?

With my most recent boss, I’ve had to fight to ensure I get enough face time with him, due to some restructuring in our department. As with all of my bosses, I ensure I get on their calendar every quarter for my counseling session. I make sure I have a copy of his OER…[Read more]

My first platoon had elements of the “just do” attitude.  My first command was rife with it.

Approaching the end of my first year as a PL and the end of our deployment to Iraq, I was doing the left seat right seat with my replacement.  I was proud of the work we had done and the changes we had made and then I heard it from one of my lower p…[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]

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?

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]

Love these resolutions!

I also want to be better about professional reading and maintaining professional relationships. As I prepare to be in a PhD program “away from the flag pole” for 3 years, I am increasingly nervous about feeling alone and losing touch with the military side of healthcare. Maintaining relationships is going to be key to…[Read more]

There is a way to balance both your universes.  It just takes a deliberate amount of planning and recognition that sometimes you will have to chose one over the other.  AGR is  an option, sometimes though you have to start on ADOS type orders while you work the AGR route.  It isn’t impossible to have both a great reserve career and civilian car…[Read more]

Logisticus,

I’ve tried in the past.  The issue is getting the active to work week-ends….   Recently, requested something similar at Campbell and was told that sure, but you need to come in during the week.

We have worked with Active Units in Europe before especially during Saber Guardian and twice with USF-K with a Yama Sakura and an Ul…[Read more]

I have had several soldiers start positions overseas.  Its a conversation you need have with your commander.  Long term you may need to look at going over into the reserves.  Personally, I would consider ING for a year.  There are several issues that are going to impact you.

1)  You have 2 years to complete a BOLC or face an admin disc…[Read more]

Jake,

My name is Joe Callejas and I am an OC/T out of Fort McCoy. I have done 2 rotations at NTC as a rotational training unit (RTU) (one as a company XO and one as a BN S-4) and one as an OC/T with Team Wagoneer.

Think about the missions that you will have to complete and plan accordingly. Obviously having a ton of batteries for your NVGs is…[Read more]

Writing from on the road, so short post. My supply sergeant passed the attached on from his last NTC rotation.

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]

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.