Firing an NCOIC is not a small task nor is it easy.  Before you go down this road consider the following:

1) Is the lack of performance because of a lack or motivation or ability?  Do they have the tools and not want to do the job or do they lack the tools?  Collectively we want to “motivate” people to do the job but usually fail to assess if we…[Read more]

Ray, I just want to take a moment to thank you for this forum and the opportunity to grow and develop the future of our Army!  Thanks!

I’m in the middle of my second M-day company command.  The key to success is engagement and thinking ahead.  You need to start with what you need to accomplish at annual training upfront and then backward plan your MUTAs.  I always have a sacrifice training event set aside to cut in the event of last minute taskers from higher.  Typically your XO…[Read more]

Ray, thanks for the reply! What happens when leaders visions conflict? Is there a negative impact to “pigeon holing” a leader into a manager’s role?

Can you explain the difference between a transactional and transformational style? How common are transformational leaders?

Adam,

Messaging is a key component of leadership, one I admittedly struggle with. Delivering a message that gets my vision across but allows my team the latitude to act. Empowering and supervising, sometimes it feels like I’m on the wrong end of the fulcrum no matter what I do…

My question to you is how did the SCO’s actions change how you lead?

Ray,

I agree completely that management is a crucial skillset for officers. Personally, I always viewed anytime I was on staff or acting as a staff officer I was operating as a manager. Focused on helping the Commander realize their vision.

I think a strength of the officer corps is the balance we attempt to make between time spent in…[Read more]

Jeff,

Failure; its like a four letter word but you’re so right. As an LT you are going to fail. What sets apart the awesome from the rest isn’t the degree of failure but rather the response to failure. Those who learn the real lesson become better leaders.

I was told that if I didn’t fail at least once a day I wasn’t trying hard enough.

1.  Meetings: my last training NCO had a binder that said “the meetings will continue until we figure out why no work is getting done”.  My rule is this a meeting is for making decisions.  Every meeting must have inputs (information needed to solve the question), discussion (actual problem solving), and outputs (typically an order).  I don’t mee…[Read more]

I agree with the above. Also get the EST prior to and if possible with the range. Docs, Nurses and allied health specialists don’t range often. They typically are the least comfortable with weapons. The EST is an outstanding marksmanship tool. You can do all the PMI aspects in a safer environment, develop familiarity with the weapon and even…[Read more]

I am getting ready to do my first annual training event with a brand new unit. 25% of my unit is in a REP-63 status, guardsmen who have enlisted but not attended basic and AIT yet. While they are in 63 status they drill with another unit designed to get them ready and keep them ready, I won’t see them for two years in some cases. Why is this…[Read more]

I had a young troop who was being less than stellar. His NCOs tried to handle it but he was unreceptive. So they brought it to me.

I took a different approach. Rather than the usual, fire and brimstone approach which had failed, I looked at the young man and told him this. You have all the power right now. I am not going to go out of my…[Read more]

Logisticus, what do you wish you had learned? If you could reach out and ask for help what would it be?

First, welcome to the profession!  Being a platoon leader is an awesome experience.  You will learn more about the Army in your time as a PL than just about any other assignment.  I think its awesome you’re thinking ahead and planning.

I think you’ve hit the nail on the head, it can be daunting to counsel someone who has so much experience. It…[Read more]

Michael,

Welcome back from the field.  I love a point that you made, their success directly contributed to my team’s success.  Such a crucial concept that gets missed in too many leadership books.  We are only as successful as we allow our teams to be.

As to logistics, I think a key to success is understanding if I don’t have it, where can I ge…[Read more]