Last 30 Days
Case Studies
PSG Initial CounselingThis case study is about counseling, expectations, and the Officer-NCO relationship. The video features a lieutenant describing his approach to conducting initial counseling with the four platoon sergeants he has worked with.
Essential Platoon Leader CharacteristicsThis case study is about what essential characteristics are needed to be a good platoon leader. The video features a captain sharing his opinion on the two most important characteristics a good platoon leader must possess.
The NCO RelationshipThis case study is provided to prompt conversations among NCOs and junior officers about the relationships between them. All of us have hear the phrase "Trust Your NCOs"; but what does that mean in practice? Are there things in the relationship being taken for granted? Done properly, this case study ...
Property Accountability – Command Supply Discipline Program (CSDP) OverviewThis case study is about property accountability and the Command Supply Discipline Program (CSDP). The video features a lieutenant sharing his experience as a platoon leader with property accountability.
Choosing the Harder RightThis case study is provided to prompt conversations among NCOs and junior officers about facing a situation where a superior is directing you to falsify a report. We all understand the right thing to do here, but how do you actually do it? What are the likely consequences? And most ...
Articles
Planning/Running a RangeAt the Center for Junior Officers (CJO), we work to deliver content where leaders can best consume it. One of the experiments we've tried this past year is producing instructional videos on aspects of the military profession. The videos are available only to members of CJO registered to ...
Pardoning Devils: The American Cover Up of Imperial Japanese Unit 731"A complex situation and the necessity for difficult decisions does not morally exonerate U.S. Army leadership and General MacArthur from the simple fact that they covered up some of the worst atrocities of the 20th century."
First 90 Days as an XO (Part 1)But what happens after your time as a PL is over? More often than not you might find yourself serving as a Company Executive Officer.
Student to Lieutenant Series – Part 7: Reporting to your First Unit.Our 7 part series on how to successfully transition from a student to a LT. Part 7 -- Phase 4: Reporting to your First Unit.
Wanna Be a General’s Aide? Here’s How (and what you can learn if not selected)Service as a general's aide can be a profound broadening experience that provides insight into how senior leadership run the Army. The assignment can be a "strong predictor of success" and help officers secure competitive assignments while increasing promotion opportunities. However, to be a successful aide and to realize the ...
Leader Challenge
LC — Friendly FireA Platoon Leader is leading his platoon during a company-level live-fire exercise. The rehearsals and day-training iterations go well, however, during the night iteration there's a cease fire called for a real-world emergency...one of his Soldiers has been shot.
LC — Battle Damage Assessment (BDA)A PL and his platoon are conducting BDA as part of a QRF and they come upon two IED emplacers that have been engaged by friendly forces. The two emplacers are likely to expire due to their injuries; the PL must decide whether to initiate CASEVAC or not.
LC – Butting HeadsAn infantry platoon leader is having challenges with his platoon sergeant (PSG). When he first takes charge of the platoon, the PSG is reluctant to cede full authority over the platoon's actions in contact.
LC — Reporting LoyaltyThe company XO discovers that the monthly sensitive items inventory has come up short a few months in a row, howevever, his commander signs off on the inventories and sends them up to battalion anyway. The XO needs to decide what to do.
LC — Whose TeamA platoon leader in a signal company asks his platoon sergeant to address deficiencies in readiness and maintenance. The platoon sergeant says he will, but declines to give specifics on how he's addressing it and accuses the PL of micromanaging. A Soldier in the platoon informs the PL that the ...
All Time
Case Studies
PSG Initial CounselingThis case study is about counseling, expectations, and the Officer-NCO relationship. The video features a lieutenant describing his approach to conducting initial counseling with the four platoon sergeants he has worked with.
The NCO RelationshipThis case study is provided to prompt conversations among NCOs and junior officers about the relationships between them. All of us have hear the phrase "Trust Your NCOs"; but what does that mean in practice? Are there things in the relationship being taken for granted? Done properly, this case study ...
Property Accountability – Command Supply Discipline Program (CSDP) OverviewThis case study is about property accountability and the Command Supply Discipline Program (CSDP). The video features a lieutenant sharing his experience as a platoon leader with property accountability.
Choosing the Harder RightThis case study is provided to prompt conversations among NCOs and junior officers about facing a situation where a superior is directing you to falsify a report. We all understand the right thing to do here, but how do you actually do it? What are the likely consequences? And most ...
What I Wish I Learned at CommissioningThis case study is provided to spark insights among pre-commissioning cadets about potential areas of focus for individual development. There are a LOT of BOLC A tasks, and not all of them get the attention they deserve. Ideally, pre-commissioning cadets walk away from this package thinking about areas where they ...
Articles
Planning/Running a RangeAt the Center for Junior Officers (CJO), we work to deliver content where leaders can best consume it. One of the experiments we've tried this past year is producing instructional videos on aspects of the military profession. The videos are available only to members of CJO registered to ...
So You Got Selected for the ReservesYou sit slumped in your chair, dismayed that you will not be joining your peers in the active Army, and your entire career and life path have changed in a moment. I am here to tell you that in no way should you be upset with yourself or the Army ...
Do We Really Understand?It's both easy and natural for us as leaders to believe we understand the most serious problems our formations face. Compassion is a central tenet of leadership, so when faced with deep seeded problems like systematic dishonesty, racism, or a climate where Soldiers feel uncomfortable reporting toxic behavior, most good ...
The Best Initial Counseling I Ever ReceivedIs this the best counseling ever?
Student to Lieutenant Series – Part 7: Reporting to your First Unit.Our 7 part series on how to successfully transition from a student to a LT. Part 7 -- Phase 4: Reporting to your First Unit.
Leader Challenge
- LC — Battle Damage Assessment (BDA)A PL and his platoon are conducting BDA as part of a QRF and they come upon two IED emplacers that have been engaged by friendly forces. The two emplacers are likely to expire due to their injuries; the PL must decide whether to initiate CASEVAC or not.
- LC — Friendly FireA Platoon Leader is leading his platoon during a company-level live-fire exercise. The rehearsals and day-training iterations go well, however, during the night iteration there's a cease fire called for a real-world emergency...one of his Soldiers has been shot.
- LC — Reporting LoyaltyThe company XO discovers that the monthly sensitive items inventory has come up short a few months in a row, howevever, his commander signs off on the inventories and sends them up to battalion anyway. The XO needs to decide what to do.
LC — BystandersA junior officer reflects on her sexual assault and its aftermath, including her difficulties with reporting and challenges with SHARP education.- LC — Whose TeamA platoon leader in a signal company asks his platoon sergeant to address deficiencies in readiness and maintenance. The platoon sergeant says he will, but declines to give specifics on how he's addressing it and accuses the PL of micromanaging. A Soldier in the platoon informs the PL that the ...