“Duty” by Robert Gates. It’s easy to think of our units and the Army’s mission of fighting our nation’s wars in isolation. In this context, it’s easy to get frustrated by orders that don’t seem to make sense because of a narrow scope. This book is an entertaining, fast read from an outstanding statesman that provides some insight into the…[Read more]

I’ve read a plethora of leadership books over the years.  I’m a big fan of Simon Sinek and John C. Maxwell.  I’ve used “The 21 Indispensable Qualities of a Leader” as OPD.

David Marquet’s “Turn the Ship Around!” taught me invaluable lessons about empowering leadership in others. I tend to be a bit controlling, so this provided some s…[Read more]

Leaders coming into a new organization are counting on their leaders (including Junior Officers) to prepare them for their new job. It is our responsibility to prepare some sort of welcome brief for our new boss. New leaders in a new unit should be briefed on your roles and responsibilities, your capabilities, unit strength, what your mission is,…[Read more]

This is widely position and rank dependent in my opinion – a PL and a Staff Primary and a Commander will have widely different experiences and required preparations. I always try to remind myself of what is the Right way of doing business (doctrine, regulation) vs. the SOP (the way We do things in the unit, office, Bde, etc.), and start to…[Read more]

@celineoh, you’re absolutely right that interactions in a classroom and drastically different than ones face to face. I learned this as a cadet when I got back to my room one day to find my roommate taking her routine afternoon nap. But as I came in, another friend of ours was also in the room and it turns out they were talking about some pretty…[Read more]

Well, @logisticus, @celineoh, @adam.szczpka, @captaink2008, and all of the others who’ve taken the time to respond and or read this post, I’ve had the opportunity to try out my own personal actions on contact yet again.

Last night I received a cryptic message from one of my new Soldiers (I just inherited a detachment of 80, located 100+ miles…[Read more]

Brock, it’s a challenge for sure. For me as an M-day commander I led from the front. I have an awesome civilian job with great compensation. I lose money when I come on orders, but I do it. Leadership from the front. I also made sure that volunteers are rewarded somehow. I was incredibly liberal with our state achievement ribbons.

IDGAFs are…[Read more]

B-Rock,

How can you create a climate within your organizations where Soldiers can come forward without fear of reprisal? Reassure them with words -and- action, live what you preach.

What are your battle drills when and if you come face to face with this situation? Ask the magic question: are you thinking about hurting yourself or someone…[Read more]

Maybe a little too heavy of a topic?

Brad,

I’m with the Kentucky National Guard and am happy to help out.  While I am not an EN officer, I do have some peers in that field who would be willing to help out and even mentor your NG LTs. Feel free to shoot me an email at carla.a.raisler.mil@mail.mil or contact me through this forum.

Regards,

Carla

Often wondered if real American heroes like Decatur and Redenbacher inspired the creation of Kirk. The reassuring thing is, we’ve had officers like him in our armed forces. I’ll reflect and play devil’s advocate slightly…

1) Never Stop Learning

True but this is not unique to him, you’ll hear it many places, very universal trope

2) Have…[Read more]