Justin,

I do not have a written SOP.  Instead, I place them into a PL slot.  For example my current TO&E has the XO leading my headquarters platoon.  I will place an SMP cadet into a “PL” slot there and treat them the same as a new PL.  The challenge with SMP cadets is that they frequently have other commitments to the ROTC program with FTXs and…[Read more]

Santi,

Welcome to post command. I learned more in post command thinking about what I had done, why I did it and how to be better.  What I love about your post is the honesty and self reflection. Thanks for for the contribution

George,

I love this topic because it is so timeless.

The number one thing I wish I knew was how powerful organizational culture is. Culture trumps every strategy I’ve ever developed.

CDSP plan, do you have a culture that values accountability?  If not it’s going to be hard to sustain that plan.

Want empowerment? Does your culture support…[Read more]

Ray,  for me it started with OPD, then an NCODP.  I needed to create the space for NCOs and Officers to agree to allow I intend to…..  I saw this as a key first step.

During my final OPD on Leader-Leader model we conducted a pre-mortem.  In a pre-mortem you assume whatever you tried failed.  You then list the reasons why it failed.  Its a great…[Read more]

Ness,

Great question and the eternal bane of being an M-day leader in the reserves.  My solution has been this:

1)  Create an understanding and expectation that as officers and leaders we are expected to do “homework” in order to be successful.  Leadership doesn’t end with final formation.  Therefore, as a staff officer we expect you to com…[Read more]

My first platoon had elements of the “just do” attitude.  My first command was rife with it.

Approaching the end of my first year as a PL and the end of our deployment to Iraq, I was doing the left seat right seat with my replacement.  I was proud of the work we had done and the changes we had made and then I heard it from one of my lower p…[Read more]

Great question and way to think ahead!

First every MEDO has to answer the 10 questions.  How does your plan ensure that you can accomplish the 10 functional areas?  Running a BAS means knowing where to evacuate and when to evacuate.

Next the combat arm guys will (rightfully so) your plan to nest into their larger maneuver plans.  How are you go…[Read more]

Great question!  In my experience as a Guard PL and Commander 30 days is too long.  You have maybe 24 drills as a PL.  It will fly.

You should be having weekly conversations with your PSG at a minimum.  There is a ton that will happen in the space between drills and if you show up expecting to get a quick download you’re setting yourself up for…[Read more]

Brock,

Great discussion theme!  UCMJ and its application can have wide reaching impact on an organization’s culture.  As a young E4 I remember a buddy getting an Article 15.  Looking back it was justified and correct but what still galls me is that an NCO did the same thing and was just counseled.  When I challenged my leadership about this ine…[Read more]

There is a way to balance both your universes.  It just takes a deliberate amount of planning and recognition that sometimes you will have to chose one over the other.  AGR is  an option, sometimes though you have to start on ADOS type orders while you work the AGR route.  It isn’t impossible to have both a great reserve career and civilian car…[Read more]

Logisticus,

I’ve tried in the past.  The issue is getting the active to work week-ends….   Recently, requested something similar at Campbell and was told that sure, but you need to come in during the week.

We have worked with Active Units in Europe before especially during Saber Guardian and twice with USF-K with a Yama Sakura and an Ul…[Read more]

I have had several soldiers start positions overseas.  Its a conversation you need have with your commander.  Long term you may need to look at going over into the reserves.  Personally, I would consider ING for a year.  There are several issues that are going to impact you.

1)  You have 2 years to complete a BOLC or face an admin disc…[Read more]

Writing from on the road, so short post. My supply sergeant passed the attached on from his last NTC rotation.

George,

I think an important piece to this is peer feedback.  Despite your best efforts you may not always get good feedback from your troops.  Or as I’ve frequently seen, troops with just one or two assignments may not know anything different than their current assignment or the dreaded in my last unit….

A trusted peer can be a great m…[Read more]

Heather,

I love your comment that in an engaged team things just happen. What has to be present for things to just happen? Have you ever been in an organization where you felt comfortable to make things happen? Have you been in an organization where you didn’t feel comfortable to make things happen? What made the difference?

Finally, how do…[Read more]

Heather’s responses:

Engagement:
1. Think about your last OPORD. What systems of control do we
commonly use in mission planning? Is there a minimum needed to execute the mission?
I’d argue that the majority of paragraph 3 — Execution — is
mostly a control mechanism by dictating the “who”, “what”, and “when” for
nearly all tasks. For example,…[Read more]

Thanks, I agree there is a need for solid planning in the NG and sometimes it is lacking…

Its true soldiers get paid for working in NG status, it isn’t pro-bono but it isn’t always enough to keep food on the table.  I have many soldiers who lose money when they are on active duty.  They’re proud of their service and are able to balance the t…[Read more]

Brock, great feedback.  I think though that is a component of the Guard 4.0 that gets overlooked we have State and Federal responsibilities.   While an ASMC like mine is going to do pretty much the same mission regardless most other units that will not.

I think you make a great point about quality training driving retention.  However, as an M-d…[Read more]