Kristen,

This is a great questions and one that is near and dear to my heart.

I was an HHC XO when I was a LT in the 82nd. I wish I could say that I had it all figured it out, but I worked crazy hours. I would come in early, before PT, and get as much “desk” work done as I could. When you are an XO, I always felt there was 1 to 2 meetings I had…[Read more]

@cale – I just rediscovered this post from last year about my comment as well. Thought others might find it interesting just as I did! https://juniorofficer.army.mil/discussion/relationships-with-enlisted-personnel/

Ray, I had a fascinating discussion with another officer today about this memo from CSA & SECARMY.  This other officer proffered that TRiPS is better due to its standardization – no room for interpretation, a Soldier did the review of their route and was told risk mitigation or they weren’t.  I countered that, while TRiPS is standardized, a f…[Read more]

I wish I had gotten more education / exposure to working with both NCOs and junior Enlisted. Looking back, it is something that is really best understood through experience, but I think I only was introduced to a few NCOs my whole time at West Point (and their job was to be in charge of me, less working with me). A really helpful experience that…[Read more]

I am getting ready to do my first annual training event with a brand new unit. 25% of my unit is in a REP-63 status, guardsmen who have enlisted but not attended basic and AIT yet. While they are in 63 status they drill with another unit designed to get them ready and keep them ready, I won’t see them for two years in some cases. Why is this…[Read more]

I had a young troop who was being less than stellar. His NCOs tried to handle it but he was unreceptive. So they brought it to me.

I took a different approach. Rather than the usual, fire and brimstone approach which had failed, I looked at the young man and told him this. You have all the power right now. I am not going to go out of my…[Read more]

You may or may not be aware, but the Army has published TC 4-11.46 Sustainment Unit Gunnery and Live Fire Exercise Strategy. This a relatively new TC (DEC 2016). Chapter 7 goes through crew evaluations. I hope this helps.

Logisticus, what do you wish you had learned? If you could reach out and ask for help what would it be?

I’ve had the honor of working closely with 2 WO (AG – CW3, CW2) and knowing many within the MI world. First thing I tell them when I introduce my self is ” as a Junior Officer I am hungry for knowledge so I will apologize in advance if I asked 1,001 questions”. They are by far the most knowledgeable individuals who give you the good, the bad and…[Read more]