How about commanders of ARNG HRF, CASE, or QRF units? Are there any tips you have for those commanders of those specialized stateside missions? @cpth, you’re a commander of a CASE element, any thoughts?

@rakimball,

Plan on things being slightly easier, while expecting more to do. As a Reserve compo officer, you could have what amounts to 2 full time jobs; your civilian career and Guard/USAR position.  In the AC you only have one. Yes, you might have a couple of additional duties, but from the experience of several deployments, life is MUCH…[Read more]

Jeff,

Those are the ones that always get me too. I’ve never been haunted by the hard calls. It’s the ones where I took it “easy” on someone who could have gotten slammed. I had to relieve a PL – the reason’s not really important – however it was one of those things that people said, “you relieved him for THAT?” It could have gone either way I…[Read more]

Chad,

I don’t know why it has to “center” around booze, however as adults, supposed professionals and leaders, shouldn’t we be allowed the option? Like I said, it’s all training. How can you expect someone to pick you a rifle and qualify unless they’re trained? Same with professional, social interactions. If all a young leader’s experience when…[Read more]

@vanezzaospina,  @adam.szczypka

We (my BDE) are trying the who weekly FRAGORD thing, and it’s a nightmare. From my observations it’s been completely reactive and inefficient. BNs to BDE “So you’re telling me to do something TODAY, that will be in a FRAGORD Friday?” BDE response, “Exactly.”

It might be a little different since we’re a Guard…[Read more]

I’ve always liked the idea. The most worthwhile mentorship I ever received was was over a couple of beers with some candid conversation. However I also have seen the steady decline of these things as @adam.szczypka mentioned. “Leaders” these days point to the ever present specter of SHARP when they outlaw these types of gatherings, choosing…[Read more]

There was a great post on this very topic by @X70037,  https://juniorofficer.army.mil/personal-battle-rhythm/.

Personally I use a mix of three primary things that help keep me on track.

First, outlook. It’s great for those reoccurring meetings, things sent from “higher,” things I can link to my cell calendar, etc.

Next, I have my white board f…[Read more]

Unfortunately what I’ve seen teach JOs (to include myself) to plan has been experience; in all its cruel and drinking from a fire hose form. My first drill back from deployment as an BN A-S3, I found myself not only the acting S3, but also the acting BN XO (yes, you read that right) going into an MDMP session that was developing the next year’s…[Read more]

SLAP HANDS! SLAP HANDS!!

I tell my young LTs, “if you want to be a step above most of the other people in the Army/Guard/Reserves, do two things; be halfway competent, and give a sh*t.” From my observations, those are the hardest two things to do. Knowing your job, and caring about doing it right seem simple, however look left and then look right; see many accomplishing…[Read more]

I would add this; fine, you’ve gotten your branch and you didn’t want to be a (insert branch here). Well, do your best. Be the best (insert branch here); get great OERs; make a difference to those Soldiers who may not have had good leadership until that point…

And then re-branch.

I don’t know how hard it is in the AC, but in the Reserve Compo…[Read more]

Bottom line, OBJ-T is going to hurt the ratings of a lot of units, and I think after a couple of years the Army will find that it was over reach. No doubt there were some dubious ratings in the subjectivity of how things have been done. However with OBJ-T, units are set up for failure – ESPECIALLY in the Reserve compo.

From my experience, it will…[Read more]