1. first sign for property and simultaneously sign all of it, no excuses, down to each NCO and down to the operator. keep a folder with each sub-hand receipt copy and identify right there during lay-outs, the shortages. discuss with your CDR, and S4 which shortages are priority to get filled and which ones you don’t really use (no need to spend…[Read more]

from being a PL and doing this, to observing it in my lieutenants, PLs drink from proverbial firehouse and have challenge between empathizing with PSG and troops and carrying out CO’s vision, and that first rear-end chewing (if you have one of those CDRs) often sends lieutenant running into arms of PSG. The best leaders (IMO) are those who fo…[Read more]

Wade,

If you have the counseling’s to support this OER then I would by all means say that you are duty bound to write this negative OER. When the new NCOER came out while in command I had to give a SSG a qualified NCOER. In the out brief I was honest with him and said, “you are 5 out of 6” SSGs in my company. He started to get emotional and I l…[Read more]

Just a quick read at that…why is this a “capable” instead of an “unsatisfactory”.  Requiring supervision/mentoring/coaching=capable.  Leader that shirks responsibility=unsat.

Yes, I’ve given 2 capable, and 1 unsatisfactory OER to LTs under my command.

I would talk to the senior rater on this one. Discuss the background, what counseling (…[Read more]

Wade,

I would think there are only two real ethical/moral responsibilities you as a leader have in this situation;

1) You as a leader have the responsibility to the young officer and the tax payer to do everything you can to guide, coach and teach this young 2LT in order to help them fix their shortcomings. The USA spent a lot of tax payer money…[Read more]

TRICARE Changes effect me the most because I am a healthcare administrator. I am running the TRICARE “Take Command” Marketing Campaign for Fort Carson and the Colorado Springs Military Healthcare System beneficiaries- I should craft a post for this forum to highlight those changes for everyone. Rest assured, the TRICARE benefit will NOT change. We…[Read more]

MAIT (old-term already) and OC/Ts accomplish essentially a similar overarching purpose – allow organizations a chance to test their systems and look at themselves. We’re building SFABs for other nations’ – I want to know what systems and methods we’re thinking about to make us better and what we’re discarding specifically for that purpose as well.

As much as I would like to believe that some of the sexier options like a cool new weapon, or a buzzword laden tome that supersedes a previously buzzword laden tome that describes the way we think we should fight today, much of my distraction, effort, and time as a commander was directed towards working distractions out of the way of my Soldiers,…[Read more]

Kenny,

This is one of the best questions I have seen on this forum by a cadet. Brock hit it right on the head. Lead them, do not try to befriend them. You will develop personal relationships in time but even still, there always needs to be a layer of professionalism with personal relationships with your troops. If you trust your subordinates and…[Read more]

Kenny,

First, I would recommend you not go in wanting your Soldiers to view you as a role model. Soldiers should view the NCOs as role models; someday for those who might want to go the “O” route, maybe.

If you want them to respect you, lead them. Show them you know what you’re doing, and are technically and technically competent. Show them…[Read more]