I will preface that this is a very long response.Feel free to send me an email and I’d be willing to talk more over this if that would help.

The very short answer is that people are going to ‘routinely’ get weekend duty. I would expect to get 1-2 weekdays and 1 weekend monthly, depending on your population, mission, and exemptions

What follows i…[Read more]

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Since you’re short on time and attention, here’s my down and dirty. Perspective of someone who was an S1 from 2LT to a CPT, worked with 5 different headquarters commanders:

1 – Please. PLEASE. Let the staff primaries do their job.  They WILL need your guidance (don’t let them fool you otherwise) – maybe as a peer, maybe as a superior, maybe for…[Read more]

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Intangible: thanking Soldiers for a specific act they did goes farther than “thanks for all your hard work”. “Hey, thanks to your attention to detail working on X spreadsheet/vehicles/etc, we’re the first done in the BN…or, the Boss personally said s/he was impressed with the work, and I told them you were taking the lead on this.  Your…[Read more]

Intangible: thanking Soldiers for a specific act they did goes farther than “thanks for all your hard work”. “Hey, thanks to your attention to detail working on X spreadsheet/vehicles/etc, we’re the first done in the BN…or, the Boss personally said s/he was impressed with the work, and I told them you were taking the lead on this.  Your…[Read more]

Here’s a few more ideas:

“Bad Leadership” by Barbara Kellerman – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/185913.Bad_Leadership

“Followership” by Barbar Kellerman – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2438898.Followership?from_search=true

‘Imbeciles’ by Adam Cohen – details the eugenics movement in the US in 1920’s, which is both fascinating to…[Read more]

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What type of award and what the circumstances regarding that award? For example, an ARCOM for an E-7 for PCS would be an example. There are many different awards and requirements for each.

The more information I have the more I can help you with what you need.

~ Joe

Sully,

I had to command an HHC as a 1LT for three months when I was an XO (my commander got fired), so I completely understand your worry about people out-ranking you. Do not worry about your rank, you are the commander. If you find staff officers and NCOs that are not being cooperative, let your BN XO know. She/he is your best friend in making…[Read more]

Working in combat arms units in the 82nd ABN DIV and SOF, the best leaders are the most emotionally intelligent. A person who yells or screams at their subordinates is not leading, they are just talking way louder than they need. The best Green Berets or Infantry leaders I have worked with never raised their voice. I do believe there is no such t…[Read more]

Joe,

I know I am little behind in replying but I just noticed this post and thought I would help. The XO is essentially responsible for the equipment and resourcing. The XO ensures that the commander is always prepared and never blindsided. While the Commander gives guidance, the XO turns the commander’s guidance into action.

Very simply s…[Read more]