Posted on Oct 9, 2014
Senior leaders: what are your expectations for a new Junior Officer with little experience?
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This is more oriented toward the field grade/senior officers, but if you're an experienced/senior enlisted member please feel free to comment.. As a 2LT what do you expect to see from a 2LT who doesn't have the experience or knowledge that was gained from the experience from AIT/deployment/on the job experience.. Obviously a 2LT isn't going to know everything, so as a field grade officer, how have you, or do you plan on developing or working with young LTs to mold them into better officers? Senior enlisted, examples would definitely be helpful. If you have examples of dealing or working with "Toxic Leadership" please share.
Officer
Army
Leadership Development
Toxic Leadership
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 14
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Always have your hand up for the sh*ty jobs that nobody else wants. Make your commander know that you're always eager for more responsibility. Also, show your soldiers that you're willing to do the dirty work right along side them. I've always made a point to be right there putting up tents, taking out garbage, washing vehicles, etc. Make sure that you're uniform is just as dirty or even dirtier than the uniforms of your soldiers.
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Sgt Vince P
Maj Ian, your comment about being willing to get dirty with your troops, says to me that you don't consider yourself above the "little" guys/gals. I'e worked with just a very few officers who share your same thought on everyone needs to work together to get the job done. Have been around a few officers who have seen officers like yourself, be told you shouldn't be helping your troops do any of the work just stand by and supervise. I didn't have as much respect for that type of officer, more respect for those who felt everybody is equal in the sense that the job comes first. And as for myself when worked with officers like you refer to as being, I took that same attitude myself when I became an NCO and carried it forward into my civilian career. Thanks for your dedicated service.
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You just did the first step...ask questions. Knowing nothing else about you, I already know you are at least looking for the right track, if not already on it.
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SGT Richard H.
Yes Sir, I like your thinking on that. NCOs are going to have more of a tendency to give advice that you need, rather than try to steer you toward what they want than junior enlisted. Not to say that the juniors won't be honest, but there's always that chance that their answers will also be a little skewed toward avoiding the next police call.
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CPT (Join to see)
Ha ha had to laugh for a second. Nobody enjoys police call, but once you start wearing those stripes, I'd expect the same from Corporal + as I would myself. Even if jr NCOs know something is wrong from their team then they should be the first to speak up. Responsibility's a bitch..
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SGT Richard H.
Yes Sir, responsibility's a bitch, but she's the sweetest bitch in town if you treat her right ;)
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A bit off topic in the sense that this isn't directly tied to you performance as a leader, but rather your personnel success in the military.
If you are anything like I was when I first come in after college, you probably don't have any 'plans for the future' (who the heck wants to worry about what they are going to do 20+ years down the road now!). One thing I would suggest is to discipline yourself for saving now. It doesn't have to be a large amount starting out .. only that you do it as early as you can. First, it gets you into a habit of saving and second, your best saving years are right now (just Google "start saving early" and read the articles). Even putting a few hundred dollars a month away now will significantly pay off down the road - and trust me .. there WILL be a time down the road that you will be kicking yourself if you don't start now.
I will suggest one area to start 'saving for your retirement' - The TSP. This wasn't available when I came in, but the government opened it up to the military in 2005. Most of the investor sites give it high grades, but if you have something you feel is better, do that. If nothing else, pick one of the life cycle plans and start putting in money - it's a lot better than NOT doing anything.
If you are anything like I was when I first come in after college, you probably don't have any 'plans for the future' (who the heck wants to worry about what they are going to do 20+ years down the road now!). One thing I would suggest is to discipline yourself for saving now. It doesn't have to be a large amount starting out .. only that you do it as early as you can. First, it gets you into a habit of saving and second, your best saving years are right now (just Google "start saving early" and read the articles). Even putting a few hundred dollars a month away now will significantly pay off down the road - and trust me .. there WILL be a time down the road that you will be kicking yourself if you don't start now.
I will suggest one area to start 'saving for your retirement' - The TSP. This wasn't available when I came in, but the government opened it up to the military in 2005. Most of the investor sites give it high grades, but if you have something you feel is better, do that. If nothing else, pick one of the life cycle plans and start putting in money - it's a lot better than NOT doing anything.
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