I saw many of my peers leave the force after command. In my experience, I found that recruiters were getting better at targeting certain officers. There were fellow officers who had anywhere from 2-6 deployments and at the end of the day were wore out.  You also have to consider the appeal of going back to school with the GI Bill. I was surprised…[Read more]

Have you experienced this pull between serving the unit and leading your Soldiers? How did you balance this contradiction? Was it even a contradiction for you?

As a tank platoon leader, I routinely griped with other leaders as to the demands put on us by Battalion. When I became distribution platoon leader, I began to see the larger picture as I…[Read more]

1) I have never attempted deception as a Platoon Leader as a tank/scout/distro PL. In the mechanized world, I feel that every action is deliberate and leaders believe that ground will be contested simply because the mission is an attack, or that the enemy will attack, since the mission anticipates a defense. This mentality limits creativity, suc…[Read more]

Awesome! Could you go into more detail or even add a video link (YouTube)? What aspects jumped out at you? Was there a behavior a character consistently models to show a result you highlighted to your Soldiers? What jumped out to them?

Dallas,

As an OC/T I can tell you the biggest issue I witness with LOG units is how we effectively secure ourselves. It warms my heart to see you training this important Collective Task. Task and Evaluation Outline (TEO) 63-CO-0727, Conduct Unit Defense, is what we use to evaluate units at all CTC rotations. If you go through the TEO, it will l…[Read more]

I’m curious on other’s thoughts on their in-processing experiences with other BOLCs. I also wonder how much of this is specific to the post you experienced BOLC at versus other posts.

So! I’ll start off about Fort Jackson for AG BOLC. I don’t remember too much about my in processing at BOLC (being a few years ago), except that my leave form…[Read more]

Love this post, Brock! Thanks for clarifying a confusing and/or complicated process in simplest terms.

Can you clarify more on the policy you’re looking for, what’s the specific question you’re trying to answer? Also, have you reviewed Joint Travel Regulation (edition FY15)?

Logisticus – thank you for the great input. You mentioned some golden nuggets in here that I forgot to mention that I wish I would have done prior to taking the guidon.

1. An organized property book, hand-receipts  etc are definitely critical. Do this to save yourself pain and time in the long run folks! I could have done better.

2. Company S…[Read more]

The key is to re-read your existing regulations and skip a paragraph or two down.  There is usually a NG paragraph there.  Key to learning is to dive in and talk to a SME ask for the AR they’re quoting and read it for yourself.

As an M-day commander I rely on my full time support staff to help.

 
LT McDonough’s actions were not contrary to moving slowly in a new leadership position. He positioned himself to watch squads operate while simultaneously maximizing his ability to command and control. The tactics of the platoon favored him to feel out his subordinates’ strengths and weaknesses, learn the local terrain, and master himself in the…[Read more]

Similar to COL McDonough, my first platoon sergeant was a small unit instructor before becoming a PSG. His description of his PSG as being wary and weary matches my own senior NCO, when I took charge of a tank platoon. The only difference being, my PSG was a Armor BOLC instructor instead of an RI. I do not know the extent that war affected him, he…[Read more]

Brock, more years than I am willing to admit to ago, there was a saying painted on my DFAC’s wall at basic: training is everything and everything is training. As a leader I invest time in understanding what training requirements are and how can I incorporate it into the daily routine. For example many of the medic tables can serve as AWT task…[Read more]

I’m curious – how do people use these resources in the execution of their TM responsibilities in their organization?

Do you take notes on your Soldiers after having a “personal relationship” conversation with them? Do you pass around “TM books” or hold a “LPD book club”? Do you talk about articles discussed in “professional affiliations”…[Read more]