Brenton’s experience is so interesting because it is echoing a theme across our formations, a constant state of readiness that requires long field times and deployments with little recovery time. He consistently emphasizes the fatigue of the organization and the requirement of the Officer to bring the ‘energy’ into the Troops – he offers some…[Read more]

Great topic. I am in an S-3 shop with two Post-CCC CPTs to include myself, with a bunch of Lieutenants. It is very difficult to get our Lieutenants to be ‘value added’ in the staff planning process , with their skill sets primarily limited to product replication. We would benefit from a dedicated long term staff planning curriculum. I tried some…[Read more]

Based on the discussion I had with the folks who are behind OBJ-T and the IWTS over at Fort Benning, they are aware that most of the Army should not be close to a T-1. The discussion we had was that truly only a near deploying unit who has been upped with personnel and money would be able to meet the T-1 standard.

I can’t speak too much to the…[Read more]

I have had a fairly positive experience with this topic. Most of the good Senior Leaders I have met , acknowledge that millennials were raised in a different atmosphere than us – but have the same reason and drive to join.

Task & Purpose wrote a fairly decent article on this subject, and although not very scholarly – shares some of my own…[Read more]

Chris,

I’m also stealing your collective training assessments. Full disclosure I haven’t punished anyone with my training meeting yet, but I’ve tried to combine ideas across a couple ones I’ve seen (All the numbers/names/events are bogus). I’ve attached my Frankenstein Troop meeting slides and maybe there’s something you can steal or provide your…[Read more]

I have attached my recent introduction letter to my Squadron Commander. I spent a lot more time talking about my personal life, hobbies, and desire to serve in a new capacity. I only briefly discussed my professional career thus far.

I sent a similar letter to my BDE Commander. I want my leaders to know that I wear my uniform (it does not wear me…[Read more]

Jeff,

Reinforcing your second value –  Not since BOLC have I been in a formation with 32+ people who all scored over a 280 on their PT test, all wanted to take initiative and lead, and all wanted to compete to be the best. It was an outstanding way to push me to my own heights before I stepped in front of my first platoon.

-Steve

@chris_s,

What are you thoughts on getting more NCOs at the Platoon level, like the Senior Scout, the ability to view/edit DTMS so that the PL/PSG can power this down. I’m not as familiar with DTMS, but I can’t imagine a PL sitting there uploading PT cards/weapon cards – he’s probably logging on and having his NCOs work anyway.

Do you…[Read more]

I attended the Marine Corps Expeditionary Warfare School (EWS), so this could apply to anyone attending a sister-service CCC equivalent.

1. Enroll in an Army course post-CCC that uses MDMP or some level of staff planning following a sister service school. Attending Cavalry Leader Course following EWS, enabled me to re-align into the Army l…[Read more]

@spitfire358,

I don’t want to belittle your experience in any way so if I am answering the wrong question please let me know. I believe you are asking how to run a detachment sized M4 Range, which in my mind doesn’t sound like it should function too differently from your average platoon range would, minus the differences in personnel. I would use…[Read more]

Kirsten,

First let me hit you with the bad news. I have never been inundated with as many tasks as when I was an XO. I spent 18 months between two companies and even month 18 was still taking work home. The XO is one of those folks who is the embodiment of keeping the Army “rolling along”. The good news is, it is hands down the most…[Read more]

ALL – Had a great discussion with Mr. Krivitsky from the MCoE, allow me to pass along some of the info.

@chris_s:

1. They recognize that specific organizations should/do not conduct live fire for their training gates. CATs, their tasks, and OBJ-T gates are being modified to reflect the new strategy (Some still working). The end state is to have…[Read more]

I recently sat in on a council of senior NCOs (E8 and above) and the vast majority of them said they have never received counseling as a PSG or 1SG and above. All of them stated they wanted counseling.

I won’t repeat all of the great advice, just offer you my take on it. My personal opinion is that the more junior someone is and the more their…[Read more]

George,

Just want to chime in and say I’m very interested to see the discussion about the IG and the “top 3” issues you mentioned.

I have uploaded a Heavy Weapons SOP over in the content section of the forums.

@mrice14, Looking forward to a future SOP contribution once you’ve refined it and made it Army so others can benefit from your success.