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

It’s a little more than CYA, it also helps you keep grounded as a leader as to what the decision was. What was decided? What was agreed upon? I look at my own command guidance as an azimuth check for myself. Am I (underline) adhering to the contract? Am I (underline) keeping my side of the contract?
But you’re correct, the counseling, the…[Read more]

@ae_rollinson,

Digging into my upcoming annual training period (my company has been designated SIM Cell and OPFOR… yes, I bought a special uniform) I wanted to throw another point out another thing that would greatly help out commanders and PLs; go to your local Training Support Center (TSC). Walk around, get their catalog, see what they have…[Read more]

As an Officer, I have always strived to lead from the front in terms of physical fitness. I believe that the discipline to stay physically fit can be modeled in other facets of our lives as well. Physical fitness is extremely important in the military, and I don’t believe you can preach that unless you are modeling it. I was always out at PT with…[Read more]

@bmcgarry,
Very good point about the 1059s. As a former BN S1, I always told the unit’s to PERM the doc as soon as the SM gets back, but then that is also an ARNG thing.

@Joe,
However, I think I went off on a tangent. To your original point, what kind of relationship do you have with your NCOIC? I honestly think it depends on your level (CO, BN, BDE, etc), Branch/MOS, and duty positions (e.g. PL/PSG, Command/1SG, S1/NCOIC, etc.). It also depends on the confidence and trust you have in your NCOIC, their knowledge…[Read more]

For the group, can this mean training more than just the ATN, T&EO training tasks?

What about intangibles like professionalism, discipline, respect? Can, how and should these be “trained” as any other skill?

@cpttimswanton,
Excellent tie-in to the COS’ number one priority.

Yes, it is absolutely worth attending. It’s important to have relationships with your installation entities so that they’re at your service to help out, and vice versa. Having good relationships with ACS, Family Advocacy, and Legal during my Command time was incredibly valuable to my success. Even if you can’t pay attention 100% to the death by…[Read more]

Ah, politics… Both a pro (if you’re in the in) and a con (if you’re in the out). Personally, I learned a long time ago that you have to learn to play the politics game; one way or another. You learn to play, or it will crush you. However, as you said, in order to be successful and still maintain your professionalism, learn to play the game but…[Read more]

On of the best I’ve seen, and actually blew Soldiers away when I show them is an old one called The Devil’s Brigade, 1968, staring William Holden, Cliff Robertson, and Vince Edwards. It’s an excellent example of planning, preparation, and execution, as well as a character driven, opposed to special effects driven story.