Unfortunately what I’ve seen teach JOs (to include myself) to plan has been experience; in all its cruel and drinking from a fire hose form. My first drill back from deployment as an BN A-S3, I found myself not only the acting S3, but also the acting BN XO (yes, you read that right) going into an MDMP session that was developing the next year’s…[Read more]

SLAP HANDS! SLAP HANDS!!

I tell my young LTs, “if you want to be a step above most of the other people in the Army/Guard/Reserves, do two things; be halfway competent, and give a sh*t.” From my observations, those are the hardest two things to do. Knowing your job, and caring about doing it right seem simple, however look left and then look right; see many accomplishing…[Read more]

I would add this; fine, you’ve gotten your branch and you didn’t want to be a (insert branch here). Well, do your best. Be the best (insert branch here); get great OERs; make a difference to those Soldiers who may not have had good leadership until that point…

And then re-branch.

I don’t know how hard it is in the AC, but in the Reserve Compo…[Read more]

Bottom line, OBJ-T is going to hurt the ratings of a lot of units, and I think after a couple of years the Army will find that it was over reach. No doubt there were some dubious ratings in the subjectivity of how things have been done. However with OBJ-T, units are set up for failure – ESPECIALLY in the Reserve compo.

From my experience, it will…[Read more]

I’ve seen a lot of these come and go. The bottom line is that it’s going to be horrible for the Reserve Compo. The basic APFT is simple, but it’s supposed to be! With a minimum out put of resources and time, a commander can get a baseline as to the physical health of their element. It’s supposed to let you know if your Soldiers can survive the…[Read more]

Staying healthy for me usually involves signing up for a race of some kind to keep me motivated and focused on a goal. I have gotten Soldiers, Peers, and Coworkers to do some of these races with me too. It’s a lot of fun. Even when organized PT may disappear from the picture, working out is still a huge way to build teamwork, camaraderie, and…[Read more]

@spitfire358;

I threw two of the range MOI in the tools section at:

Range MOI; M4, M9

I wish I would have done a full PMCS in a motor pool on a vehicle using the TM and using same equipment, do a T&I layout and do a sub-hand receipt for that equipment. Also, where I would check the vehicle’s specifications – capability.

I arrived at my platoon and my PSG proud with his NCOs for their push-back ability would say, “LT, that vehicle…[Read more]

you are lucky. I enjoyed my XO time.

Have a good tracker/board or spreadsheet w/ 5Ws, most importantly when something is due, and where you check progress (IPRs). Importantly, who does what, and ensuring they understand up-front and will cash that check.

Do not let people not meet their obligations. Do not micromanage as in, if it takes them…[Read more]