@gagirlkeish Whether from pregnancy or an injury, its tough to be away. So, I sincerely hope you recover as quick as possible! I think there are a couple of things to keep in mind. As dayna.e.sanders mentioned, I think staying active is the right attitude.  Have a conversation with your chain of command and discuss expectations in both the near an…[Read more]

@adam.szczypka – For those not familiar with CY (or MI) OPCON / ADCON relatinoships, would you do into more detail so more folks can understand what means on a day-to-day and a mission basis?

@x70037 – Jeff, I do agree with you! I’m game for talking about re-aligning with standards and a PT test that doesn’t reward slamming backs into the ground…but the primary “eyebrow raiser” for me is the execution across the Army, just as @brock.j.young was saying. I think this new test will slam ARNG & USAR components. Exactly as Brock said,…[Read more]

I submit a “reflection” instead of “an experience” for this JO Jam.

In my present job, I work with many retired NCOs, one in particular who was in the parade in Berlin when the Berlin Wall came down. I was only a few months old when the Berlin Wall came down, so it’s only something that I have experienced through books, movies, and re-watching…[Read more]

Also, I want to expand on your self-reflection about understanding how birth control works. It’s definitely important for a couple to understand how that factors into their plans for a pregnancy!

Birth control that works via hormones (daily pills; some IUDs; shots, patches, other implants) require time for adjustment and, also as you said,…[Read more]

Ray, I keep re-reading your comment because I can’t decide where to start, it’s so helpful!

To continue your thoughts on communicating, here’s a piece of advice / thought experiment from my pre-wedding marriage counseling. Mileage may vary, but it really helped me get my head around wedding vows. If someone in a relationship is withholding…[Read more]

Hi, Kate! Great question.  I can’t answer for Benning, but I think this will still give you a good general idea.

While not nearly as aggressive as Basic, yes, you will jump right in.  For AG school house, the first week is a urinalysis and APFT, along with ~1 day of intro briefs with chain of command, and the rest is baseline informal testing f…[Read more]

Loving the different take here, Steve! I agree, reflection on something like a deployment can feel like pressure to use buzzwords and.give a cookie cutter answer, or be brutally honest and judged for a different perspective.

Great question, George! Can’t wait to hear how others adapted to one of these first but ongoing challenges of command.

@george.l.gurrola – you’re so, so right about not only delivering “bad news” (whether it be training, taskings, or otherwise).   I had a HQ CC who did that, just always delivering the news of something that was late or hot, basically that I’d have to 180 at least a handful of folks.  It became a conditioned response after awhile. Anyway, after h…[Read more]

Does one mode make a difference over another?

Yes, I agree that person or in face is always best!  I usually like to have an face-to-face conversation and will follow-up with an email if the situation warrants it.  I caution to junior officers that you do not always want to deliver “bad news.” Remember, leaders are human beings too and they sho…[Read more]