Brock- YES. Hahaha.

I LOVE this question!

I did a great podcast for The Leader’s Huddle with Micah Klein yesterday and we talked about this very topic. I gave a lot of my perspective on the topic of emotional intelligence. Emotional Intelligence is the capability of individuals to recognize their own and other people’s emotions, discern between different feelings…[Read more]

Michael posted such a good list of resources for you! I want to make a suggestion though- learn as MUCH as you can at BOLC! You’re going to be “drinking from the firehose” for a while. Know that you aren’t going to know everything when you get to your first duty assignment. Keeping an open mind and working hard with the suggestions above, on top…[Read more]

Joe,

XOs across the army have similar responsibilities.  The marginal differences come from your unit type, company HQ structure, and your commander’s needs and preferences.

That said, here’s my advice…

Get with other company XOs to help get yourself up to speed.  When she returns, maximize whatever time you get with the outgoing XO.
Is t…[Read more]

I do not believe there are branch-dependent leadership styles. There is only the individual leader, and those that individual leads. People respond to different leadership styles, differently – and the Army revolves around people. A good leader will adapt their style to motivate those he or she leads to carry out whatever tasks or missions are…[Read more]

From a recent experience I will say no matter what you do, introduce yourself. Make yourself known.

I had two 2LTs report today for their first drill following BOLC, though this is their first drill with me as their commander. Neither thought to come introduce themselves so I strode up and in my own, typical tone said simply, “a mentorship point;…[Read more]

Will,

Here’s my advice in no particular order.  This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it is a start.

As Ray said, pick a reading list and read.  Your school house will have one, but don’t constrain yourself just to that.  Always prep for the next job.

Systems–

Command Supply Discipline Program
TAMIS – Total Ammunition Management In…[Read more]

Sounds like you have lots of experience and developed a fair and thorough method for adjudicating each case.

I participated in a discussion recently where leaders were weighing the benefits of applying standards and processes in a prescriptive manner vice taking each individual case and varying conditions as discrete events.  In the former…[Read more]

@Michael-brodka,

As far as creating a sponsorship SOP, no. I was told that this was to be a CSM project. However I did send my CSM the following link and information I found on S1Net; https://www.milsuite.mil/book/docs/DOC-184834

Brock

@asiegel12,
The fact you are even asking the question puts you about 75% farther ahead than any of your peers. Doing ANYTHING, whether it be a formatted letter, memo, or email, would put you 80% ahead of your peers. While I agree with Chad that formatting a letter to AR 25-50 standards will go a long way to showing your incoming CoC you are a…[Read more]

That’s perfect.  There will be a good number of opportunities for you as a Chemical officer and a handful of Signal officers you can coordinate with regarding your future career course.  Although it’s in Fort Bliss, enjoy your time in 2 ABCT.

Make sure you think over all of those lessons you are getting for free at Fort Knox.  Leadership and me…[Read more]