I cannot reply in a text box on anything in Heather’s post on Command Reading Lists…it seems to be specific to that post…any thoughts on this bug?

Brock, do you find your unit has a lot of issues with this? Is it possible that there are those Soldiers who don’t have those kind of time commitments? I know next to nothing about the culture surrounding the Guard/Reserves but it would be my hope that Soldiers have a sense of pride and respect for their unit that they would WANT to help out. I…[Read more]

Paul,

This is the troop to task that I used when I was a PL. It is color coded and is easy to brief.

Let me know if this helps.

Joe

Justin,

Great question and speaks to larger issue of staying informed of policy changes. Good commands and staffs will keep leaders at all levels informed and arm them with tools, but it’s good to stay ahead of the bow wave when things get lost in the noise. I’ve found that subscribing to list-servs and professional forums (like this!!) helps…[Read more]

Not yet, I’ll have to check it out.

Ray,
Honestly, if it affects unit readiness then leaders have to at least acknowledge it. Joes who can’t feed their kids, or pay their rents, or owe predatory loan companies, take time, energy, and man-hours from maintaining unit readiness and training levels.

The AC is lucky in that they “own” their Soldiers and can take direct action, direct…[Read more]

@Joe, excellent points and post!

You’re spot on with the fact that the NCO-Officer relationship must be built on a foundation of trust. Nothing else happens without it.  A new officer needs to make an analysis of their NCOs and determine the level of trust he/she has with them (this says nothing with all the ways the officer needs to be earning…[Read more]

@Joe, excellent points and post!

You’re spot on with the fact that the NCO-Officer relationship must be built on a foundation of trust. Nothing else happens without it.  A new officer needs to make an analysis of their NCOs and determine the level of trust he/she has with them (this says nothing with all the ways the officer needs to be earning…[Read more]

Hey Brock,

Thanks- your “We Were Soldiers” reference is timely as we honor Hal Moore’s life. Did you happen to read “We are Soldiers Still?”

Thanks,
Heather

Great pick, Michael. I had the opportunity to listen to Tom Ricks speak at Fort Leavenworth right after he released The Generals.  He certainly fell into the category of “passionate” and “dynamic” and seemed to enjoy stirring the pot.  His Foreign Policy blogs are quite insightful (often inciteful!…no, not a real word).

Thanks,

Heather

Sound like you and Ray are “on the same page”!
Thanks,
Heather

Great advice! With all the excitement in the media, there is no shortage of inflammatory material to get the wheels turning.
Almost everyone has an opinion, but as professionals we need to foster a deep and thoughtful understanding in order to best inform our decisions.

Thanks,
Heather

Scott, I have always made the distinction between Leader Development and Leader’s Training.  The big difference in the role of each in a comprehensive Leader Development Program is the focus on what each is preparing the audience of leader’s for.  In Leadership Development, where we focus on leadership attributes, the focus is improving our a…[Read more]

I cranked through most of the MCoE reading list over the last couple of years, with my favorites being “Once an Eagle,” We Were Soldiers, Once and Young,” “Platoon Leader,” “Gates of Fire,” and of course, “Starship Troopers.” However right now, I’m slogging through “Rise and Fall of the Third Reich.” It’s not necessarily on any reading list,…[Read more]