Posted on Aug 28, 2021
What are the differences between a Battery/Company XO and an HHB XO?
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I am coming up on the end of my PL time, and will most likely be taking over as an XO in my BN. However, I might have the opportunity to serve as the BDE HHB XO. Can anyone speak to the differences or opportunity costs of taking one position or the other? Thanks.
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Military Career
Career Counselor
Executive Officer
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 6
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Not an XO obviously, but work hand in hand with mine, an HHC. Regular C/B/Ts are easy because there is less property and only 1 priority. HHC/B/Ts are more difficult because they have more property and each section and staff function have their own thing to do. It should still be 1 priority, if your unit has unity of command, but each section has different ways to complete the priorities. Typically the HHC/B/T XO spots are a second XO position because it is more complicated.
Some advice for wherever you get placed, if you need manpower to accomplish tasks, go to your 1SG and coordinate with them. XOs don’t task and it will be easier for your subordinate units if taskings come from 1 person instead of being nickeled and dimed from 1SG and XO.
Some advice for wherever you get placed, if you need manpower to accomplish tasks, go to your 1SG and coordinate with them. XOs don’t task and it will be easier for your subordinate units if taskings come from 1 person instead of being nickeled and dimed from 1SG and XO.
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As a Company XO you wil be the senior LT who generally oversees maintenance and or Company administrative duties. Essentially whatever the CO requires of you. It provides the trainjng in areas that will better prepare you for Company Command. As for HHB at BDE it is a similar situation with a few more headaches having to deal with field grades who often have an opinion outside that of the Comapny Commander. They are generally equal in prepping for your Command time. The decision between the two, if the Brigade XO/Commander ask for you, you go.
It’s a win, win as long as you apply yoursel.
It’s a win, win as long as you apply yoursel.
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MAJ Ronnie Reams
Not my experience in the Infantry. Senior LT was weapons platoon leader, so that he was up on the tactical situation should anything befall the CO. Same-same at BN, senior Major was the S-3 since he up on what happening. Remember, XOs are back in the rear with the gear and are busy doing paperwork and making sure beans and bullets arrive on time. In 199th, company XOs were either LTs recovering from wounds or newbies that CO has not decided what to do with.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
MAJ Ronnie Reams - New 2LT's as XO are a disaster waiting to happen unless you have a strong 1ST SGT and Supply/Maintenance Section. Seen if happen, but he inherited problems with the BN Supply Chain that I would have straightened out the first day. Those issues caused more problems than having a weak/new Platoon Leader. Newbies seldom have the initiative to put a boot up someone's ass that desperately needs it and drag them in front of their boss, or their bosses boss. This was getting into Officer Business and often the 1st Sgt and CSM try to stay out of it.
Light Infantry Unit on TDY in Alaska BTW. Among some of the other issues, the BN Supply drivers were driving over the the Navy Post and stopping at McD's while we sat in the Tundra waiting for fuel and meals. I took that one to the BN XO myself since the New Guy didn't have a clue. We were on those damn T-Packs, the BN Supply guy and Mess Sgt. were picking all the meals out of the rotation that they liked, but we were supposed to be getting and sending us what was left. We had SOS for Breakfast for 8 days in a row, always late and usually cold before I found out that the drivers were screwing off, so the XO got an earful about that situation too. I was the senior guy, it I had have been XO I would have put stop to that crap on about day two.
Light Infantry Unit on TDY in Alaska BTW. Among some of the other issues, the BN Supply drivers were driving over the the Navy Post and stopping at McD's while we sat in the Tundra waiting for fuel and meals. I took that one to the BN XO myself since the New Guy didn't have a clue. We were on those damn T-Packs, the BN Supply guy and Mess Sgt. were picking all the meals out of the rotation that they liked, but we were supposed to be getting and sending us what was left. We had SOS for Breakfast for 8 days in a row, always late and usually cold before I found out that the drivers were screwing off, so the XO got an earful about that situation too. I was the senior guy, it I had have been XO I would have put stop to that crap on about day two.
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1LT Charles Locklear
He may be the lowest ranking officer at a brigade HHC. Almost every NCO on the company works for a senior captain or major. Be on good terms with both. I had the Brigade HHC XO job for 2 and a half years. It has good and bad point like any other assignments.
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I was an XO twice, once for an HHC. The HHC had less than 1/4 of the property that a line unit had. Less property = less maintenance = less to do, but also less development towards dealing with property as a commander. You’ll also have to deal with a lot of staff officers who may or may not play nicely. Line unit XOs usually outrank everyone in the company, besides the CDR, so it is relatively easy to get things done.
Odds are that you will have to orchestrate at least one round of Change of Command inventories. Take careful notes of what worked and what didn’t, because that will help you out down the road.
If you want to stay in and command someday as a CPT, try to get a line unit. If you can’t get one, learn from the line unit XOs who will be taking an “L” every single maintenance meeting.
The best thing you can do as an XO is to look out for your commander, especially with property accountability. When I was a 2LT starting out as an XO, my BN XO told me, “your job is to defend your commander at all costs.”
Odds are that you will have to orchestrate at least one round of Change of Command inventories. Take careful notes of what worked and what didn’t, because that will help you out down the road.
If you want to stay in and command someday as a CPT, try to get a line unit. If you can’t get one, learn from the line unit XOs who will be taking an “L” every single maintenance meeting.
The best thing you can do as an XO is to look out for your commander, especially with property accountability. When I was a 2LT starting out as an XO, my BN XO told me, “your job is to defend your commander at all costs.”
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