Gabe,

What a great question and thank you for discussing this topic. It is significantly harder to bring change to an organization than most people recognize. As a company commander I have found that subordinates do not want to change when/if they do not understand why they need to change.

As a leader, it is your responsibility to establish…[Read more]

Pat,

Good question. Add variety and use assessments. First, PT becomes boring and monotonous if you conduct the same events over and over. You won’t see much progress if you don’t vary your program. Second, don’t do PT for the sake of PT. If you want your Soldiers to improve physically, set benchmarks and assess their progress. Don’t let the APFT…[Read more]

Joe,

You can take this farther than simply “command philosophy,” and put in broader terms as Leadership Philosophy. Attached is mine from when I  was a PL (yes, PL). I know not many platoon leaders get this in depth, but from my experience having my philosophy on paper, as something that could be held, looked at and discussed with the Soldiers…[Read more]

A thought; I’m not seeing the BUG HUNTER tag in the “Discussion Tags Area” anymore.

Maybe add a “BUG HUNTER” or maybe a “Submit Forum Feedback” link under the MORE INFORMATION column?

Pat,

Empower your NCOs to create a plan that fits their Squad/Team. You pay them to lead so make them lead their Soldiers, especially at PT. As a PL, your job is to ensure your leaders are challenging their troops and making them better. Also, like any plan, double check it and make sure it makes sense. If a squad is struggling with their run…[Read more]

Pat,

Empower your NCOs to create a plan that fits their Squad/Team. You pay them to lead so make them lead their Soldiers, especially at PT. Allow them to create a plan that best fits their squad/team. As a PL, your job is to ensure your leaders are challenging their troops and making them better. Also, like any plan, double check it and make…[Read more]

At the platoon level, in the case of low morale, I would take a two-pronged approach.

First, I would focus on the platoon itself.  Put your ear to the ground, talk to your PSG, and try to figure out why things are low.  Develop a plan with your PSG to engage the platoon in whatever “slices” you see necessary – lower enlisted, NCOs, Squad L…[Read more]

I had a good number of these while in command.

For me, one of the biggest focal points was on treating the troops stuck in the middle of these personal problems more as people and less as troops in a very private, pressure-free setting.

I should note I always pushed the message of preventive action by NCOs.  Our NCOs, whether at PLT or Company…[Read more]