I had short flash to bang as E FSC was new, unequipped and undermanned, plus filled w some problem castaways. That, getting rid of those who didn’t want to be soldiers took me a lot of time. The other challenges were creating systems to organize every activity. I later learned you don’t and can’t do everything at once. I prepared by reading…[Read more]

For JOs, Readiness means Availability (of equipment, personnel).

-property, load plans, assigned to user, common sets, kits configured for EDRE/fight tonite.

-Cross-training, licensing, cohesive crews, able to support any mission under any condition

-organization, trackers, streamlined designed to buy time, reduce ankle-biters.

MOST IMPORTANT:…[Read more]

Brock and Cale,

Where can leveraging adjacent active duty units help NG? Meaning, can your AGR folks tie-in and use facilities, resources and fall-in to train with AD units? We did some of that in Europe, and it received lots of praise, attention, backing from the big wigs on both sides, they were loving the total army concept. NG/USAR was one of…[Read more]

I told my students, 1. show-up fired up, energetic, eager to learn and stay positive, 2. work hard and learn fast and 3. pick yourself up and dust yourself off, then reapply 1. and 2.

I commanded 22 months. We were very busy, on the threshold of overwhelming. I finished #1 FST cdr, though I took over one of the bottom 2 troops in regiment. Along the way we transformed from making excuses, always complaining to an excellent team, family addicted to winning, being the best.

The Command Climate Survey is worthless in my opinion.…[Read more]

It depends on unit op tempo. If the unit is very busy then you have to consider blocking /protecting time on calendar. If it isn’t unreasonably busy (this excludes 10 divisions worth of units and then some), then leaders must find time outside of work hours (either lunch or O-call or off-site).

I always advised juniors that if they are right, to first, make double-sure they are in fact right, and then it does not matter if the said “toxic” leader outranks them, because nothing outranks doing the right thing.

You prevent bottom-up toxicity as well by being transparent, engaged, present and setting the tone for the climate, as an officer…[Read more]

I’d engage the HHC CDR, show the counselings and the plan of action and how that plan of action isn’t working – ensure that counselings have been closed out, as well as any letters of concern. Naturally the HHC 1SG will also be interested in what this person is doing and if there’s any way to improve them/give them a chance to improve.

All your…[Read more]

I’d tell the Soldiers that they are getting paid for the NG, it isn’t pro bono.

I would make “Planning” my #1 priority and my Planners ground-zero for success. Recently I took in training management briefs from NG and was able to provide them with some ideas and feedback to help support their training objectives by planning a realistic,…[Read more]

I wish I would have done a full PMCS in a motor pool on a vehicle using the TM and using same equipment, do a T&I layout and do a sub-hand receipt for that equipment. Also, where I would check the vehicle’s specifications – capability.

I arrived at my platoon and my PSG proud with his NCOs for their push-back ability would say, “LT, that vehicle…[Read more]

you are lucky. I enjoyed my XO time.

Have a good tracker/board or spreadsheet w/ 5Ws, most importantly when something is due, and where you check progress (IPRs). Importantly, who does what, and ensuring they understand up-front and will cash that check.

Do not let people not meet their obligations. Do not micromanage as in, if it takes them…[Read more]

to beat deadhorse – communication is glue.

training and certification shouldn’t be two different things but sometimes are by virtue of many factors. I favor training, that builds muscle-memory, confidence, competence, familiarity. I commanded in a time when there was no time to train. This realized, its improving, tools being given to JOs.

I say…[Read more]

At OCS I learned landnav, how to write a squad-level OPORD and think back fondly on the experience.

At TBOLC I learned basics on being a UMO – it was an easy, enjoyable time, much spent in classroom. I wish more had been practical hands-on (go to an actual motor pool, participate in services and motor stables), learn practically about property,…[Read more]

NCO Corps especially our model is a recent thing and one other armies want to emulate because it is working within framework of mission command. Normandy (D-Day) is a fine example of mission command: everyone knew the mission, intent, end-state and executed once they became separated. Back then, there was one radio per company – so how did they…[Read more]

A good NCO worth his/her weight in gold. One of the most satisfying parts about being an officer is getting to work with/partner with NCOs.

After absorbing doctrine, I shrug and say- communication is the bedrock for all outcomes. I am not smarter, more talented, maybe just wiser for the scars I bear, and have prioritized communication vs. mission…[Read more]

We have 2 MPFs. Prepo stocks are protected by, same thing that guarantees logistics: California, Texas, and New York all have a higher GDP than Russia, basically we have a country which far out-produces all enemies combined. We own all 10 super-carriers, which have 7 times the capacity and capability of the 10 non-US jump-carriers on Earth. U.K.…[Read more]