Chad – YES! I also create my Continuity Book during my LS/RS of a new job. I’m learning how to do the new job, so I might as well turn my notes into a How-To for someone else. A monthly Calendar reminder is a great idea! I should add that into my battle rhythm. My additions tend to be conditions (not time based) (basically, when I have time to…[Read more]

Chris- I thought you presented great best practices and honest assessments on your experiences managing maintenance, supply, the arms room. If not managed properly, these systems can create problems for any commander.

I like how you emphasized communication and established reporting timelines for your subordinates. Like you said, “don’t expect w…[Read more]

Vanezza, I had a very similar experience as a 2LT on Bde staff of a MI BDE . My first formation I watched dumbfounded as all the officers walked away from the formation, some right back into the building for work.  Wasn’t PT a group activity in the Army? The CC came up to me and my peer, and asked us if we had a PT plan.  I pulled an index card o…[Read more]

Adam, a written plan can definitely help Soldiers (and anyone) reflect on what they are currently do versus what they need to do to make a change.  You’re seeing a numerical, objective  change in APFT scores. Are you seeing a cultural shift as well? Was it a deliberate decision to not have a reward system for high APFT scorers to pair with your p…[Read more]

Oh man, where to start with this, Chad. That was a packed 2 years between deploying straight away, then every single element changing command (including the BN), then field preparation for JRTC, then after JRTC were a handful of missions that required extra focus from me as the S1, not to mention all these family challenges that I had going on…[Read more]

Chris- thank you for sharing you the lessons you’ve experienced early on in your command. I think both are critically important yet, they don’t readily surface as issues.

It’s great that you identified the importance of face-to-face and doing battlefield circulation. This is definitely a consideration for future commanders depending on their…[Read more]

Kelsey, these are GREAT questions and really dive deep into the heart of this dual-military struggle. Thanks for contributing them! I’ll be sure to incorporate your questions into my main posts to go through some more scenarios, but here’s the information to address your questions sooner rather than later.

For PCS: I almost always cc my spouse…[Read more]

I’m really mulling over the second part you posted (resisting the urge to solve problems). It’s really resonating with me as I deployed 2 months after joining my 2nd unit. I was given quite clear guidance that I was a big kid and didn’t need to wait the ’30 day window’ to make changes, but just execute, fix, and repeat time now.

Someone (I don’t…[Read more]