Posted on Jan 30, 2023
Can anyone provide information on the Operations Sergeant Major position?
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I've been pulled up from my unit to perform duties as the BN OPS SGM. I've never worked at this level before. I've just read ATP 6-0.5 and it's clear as mud. Any assistance would be most appriciated.
Operations Sergeant Major
Advice
Guidance
Posted 1 y ago
Responses: 6
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MSG (Join to see), when in doubt start at the source:
ADP 5-0 (and ADRP 5-0): The Operations Process
ADP 6-0: Mission Command
ATP 5-0.1: Army Design Methodology
One of the most critical functions of the OPS SGM is to understand the Commander's intent and ensure shared understanding between the staff and subordinate units. And mediate fights between the XO and the S-3 (apparently).
My biggest piece of advice: Come into the office everyday and remind the staff that they are there to enable subordinate commanders to execute their mission in accordance with the Commander's intent. There is only one boss and the Company Commanders work for the (Lt.)Colonel.
ADP 5-0 (and ADRP 5-0): The Operations Process
ADP 6-0: Mission Command
ATP 5-0.1: Army Design Methodology
One of the most critical functions of the OPS SGM is to understand the Commander's intent and ensure shared understanding between the staff and subordinate units. And mediate fights between the XO and the S-3 (apparently).
My biggest piece of advice: Come into the office everyday and remind the staff that they are there to enable subordinate commanders to execute their mission in accordance with the Commander's intent. There is only one boss and the Company Commanders work for the (Lt.)Colonel.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
"There is only one boss and the Company Commanders work for the (Lt.)Colonel."
The single sentence that seems to be the hardest thing for some of the S staff to understand, especially the S-3 shop. I've played "bet my bars" on more than one occasion by telling some Major that I commanded the company and didn't work for him. That worked out for me, mainly because I was right and they weren't, but I am under no illusion that it always worked in my favor.
The single sentence that seems to be the hardest thing for some of the S staff to understand, especially the S-3 shop. I've played "bet my bars" on more than one occasion by telling some Major that I commanded the company and didn't work for him. That worked out for me, mainly because I was right and they weren't, but I am under no illusion that it always worked in my favor.
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CSM William Everroad
CPT Lawrence Cable - I have mentored Company Commanders in the act of "betting their bars" and it always worked in their favor if they kept to the Commander's intent. I never understood why S-Staff feel the need to try to direct Company Commanders.
But, you do run into the "favorite" primary staff officer every now and again. I always strive to be a better resource to the Commander so that they don't get a blindspot to staff interference in Company business.
But, you do run into the "favorite" primary staff officer every now and again. I always strive to be a better resource to the Commander so that they don't get a blindspot to staff interference in Company business.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
CSM William Everroad - I never understood it either. I've held three staff positions, Task Force Engineer (also the Engineer Platoon Leader) before they pushed a full Engineer Battalion down to Brigade, Battalion S-1, and finally Assistant Brigade Engineer (the Battalion Commander is now the Brigade Engineer, but he has a Battalion to run at the same time). I knew who I worked for and never tried to step outside of my authority. I had enough to do getting my own mission accomplished.
ABE was interesting. I was generally the Engineer voice to the Brigade Commander most of the time, while having to keep my Commander both informed and out of trouble. Good position for me, I had come from the Command of a mechanized Divisional Engineer Company and I had two years enlisted and four Commissioned Infantry and this unit had just converted from a Corp Level Battalion. I had done the mission for 2 1/2 years as CO, plus I spoke and knew Maneuver enough to be able to make a competent plan. I have to say it was one of my favorite jobs. CO was of course the best.
ABE was interesting. I was generally the Engineer voice to the Brigade Commander most of the time, while having to keep my Commander both informed and out of trouble. Good position for me, I had come from the Command of a mechanized Divisional Engineer Company and I had two years enlisted and four Commissioned Infantry and this unit had just converted from a Corp Level Battalion. I had done the mission for 2 1/2 years as CO, plus I spoke and knew Maneuver enough to be able to make a competent plan. I have to say it was one of my favorite jobs. CO was of course the best.
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Congrats, trust your instincts, you'll be fine. Everyone on the staff showed up for their first day just like you.
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Congrats Master Sergeant Major. This is one of the more important positions in a BN. From my time in the S3 I have seen it ran differently. A lot of time you are the taskings designator and deconflictor. You will usually get handed a bunch of tasks from BDE or your BN CDR. What that really looks like is that you will get a phone call from one of the companies complaining that they are overtasked or a call from the BDE OPS SGM asking why your BN is late on a task. It is really a true management position. I am sure you will do well.
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MSG (Join to see)
Not gonna lie, pretty nervous...to the level of scared sh*tless. Never worked this level before. Gonna be an interesting 9 months
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