I LOVE this discussion. I always like to bring in business type articles on discussions like this. In my career field, we’ve learned to treat the military much more like a business. The business world consistently incorporates best practices in leadership into their leadership models but the military seems to lag a bit (and of course we have…[Read more]

So, I was going to say exactly what Brock did. How can we improve counseling our Soldiers? DO IT!!

If your leaders do not know where you stand with them, they don’t know where to move.

I have found that leaders tend to make the same excuses as to why they don’t dedicate more time to counseling. Leaders will often shrug off important dates to do…[Read more]

On a separate point, I’ve been told my counseling style is pretty good. So this weekend I’m conducting an LPD class on “how to counsel.” The class will be composed of all of the NCOs and officers of my unit in a room, staring at 2 chairs and a table. At that table will be me and my NCOIC, and the class will consist of the class watching me…[Read more]

In the Guard and Reserves, counseling comes down to preparation before drill.  There isn’t enough time to do the mandated counseling (e.g. APFT/HT-WT failures, MND noncompliance, AWOLs, etc.), let alone the solid, developmental counseling that is needed to develop subordinates.  Leaders in the reserve components need to not only put in the time pr…[Read more]

In the Guard and Reserves, counseling comes down to preparation before drill.  There isn’t enough time to do the mandated counseling (e.g. APFT/HT-WT failures, MND noncompliance, AWOLs, etc.), let alone the solid, developmental counseling that is needed to develop subordinates.  Leaders in the reserve components need to not only put in the time pr…[Read more]

In the Guard and Reserves, counseling comes down to preparation before drill.  There isn’t enough time to do the mandated counseling (e.g. APFT/HT-WT failures, MND noncompliance, AWOLs, etc.), let alone the solid, developmental counseling that is needed to develop subordinates.  Leaders in the reserve components need to not only put in the time pr…[Read more]

In the Guard and Reserves, counseling comes down to preparation before drill.  There isn’t enough time to do the mandated counseling (e.g. APFT/HT-WT failures, MND noncompliance, AWOLs, etc.), let alone the solid, developmental counseling that is needed to develop subordinates.

Leaders need to not only put in the time preparing good c…[Read more]

@patrick-d-moore1 , absolutely great points! I was talking to my BN S4 NCOIC today about a FLIPL that’s going down right now, and she had some advice I think fits here: Counseling!

Commanders who counsel their Supply SGTs, who give them direction and limits; who tell the supply SGTs that everything will be hand receipted, states what they are…[Read more]

Vanezza,

Your first question should be what their rating profile looks like. That is, how many officers of the same grade have they rated, and for how long. If they are honest, they should tell you whether or not they have room in the profile to award a MQ, or if there are those of longer tenure who they are saving them for (this happens – I do…[Read more]

Vanezza,

Your first question should be what their rating profile looks like. That is, how many officers of the same grade have they rated, and for how long. If they are honest, they should tell you whether or not they have room in the profile to award a MQ, or if there are those of longer tenure who they are saving them for (this happens – and I…[Read more]

Vanezza,

Your first question should be what their rating profile looks like. That is, how many officers of the same grade have they rated, and for how long. If they are honest, they should tell you whether or not they have room in the profile to award a MQ, or if there are those of longer tenure who they are saving them for (this happens – and I…[Read more]

Overall, I agree with Brock. I have encountered the Message to Garcia several times, and each time it left a bad taste in my mouth. Of course that may not be as much from the message itself, as much as from the leaders who were using it for an LPD. By itself, the anecdote provides a lot of fodder for conversation, especially as it relates to…[Read more]