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]

This isn’t really a bug but a question- do we get emails when someone replies to our thread/comments? I haven’t seen an email but maybe they’re not commenting directly at my comment and that’s why? Also, is there a way to “like” posts?

Can’t top Shep’s list but will provide little context and some early experiences as a brand new PL.

– DTS you will use a lot, so be familiar.

– UMO is branch immaterial, something LTs are asked to do (pack-out). Operational Contract Support, fight to get this course, it provides an ASI, and essential to your time as S4 (a good staff position,…[Read more]

I totally agree with you both. Military justice is based on the “total Soldier” concept. A Soldier who is habitually messing up, has demonstrated a lack of care or concern for the unit, and is overall a drain on the organization will probably be dealt with a little more harshly than a good Soldier who just messed up. I learned this (the hard way)…[Read more]

Warriors – good question.
PLEASE! Send a letter of introduction. It makes a difference!

All your mental anxieties about it are over-blown.
As long as the formatting is clean (NOT perfect), the letter will be appreciated.

Attached find a few templates. Rules for an effective letter of introduction:
– message: “I am a humble servant of YOUR…[Read more]

At IBOLC we provide an “expectations management” portion of our Academics In-brief to new students. I think Shepard’s list above is actually relatively exhaustive. I don’t have anything to add to his list.
So, I’ll focus on some of the “big-picture” lessons from the IBOLC in-brief that will help any BOLC student focus during and reflect after…[Read more]

You can make it more specific – “If you fail to do -this- then you are not released to go home until (such tasks specify them) are complete.

Unity of effort is definitely the key, but this is always more challenging to achieve than unity of command. So yes, consolidation of information collection planning and assets needs to occur, but I think we need to be weary of the “Romance of Leadership” if we consolidate all of this, because one person (the commander) does not always have the…[Read more]

Brock, I tackle each of these based on who is offering the opinion.  Sometimes it’s a flat “you’re wrong, and here’s why”, sometimes a “thank you” where I just move on smartly, and at others I work to change the system (most often when it is someone in my rating chain offering the opinion).

I had a battalion commander recommend that I maneuver…[Read more]