Advice and helpful hints for a new NCO (E-5)?

I used to be an E-5, so don't feel like you've got some weirdo officer trying to offer you NCO advice. Bottom line: you are not one of the gang anymore and you're no one's friend. Don't care too much about whether everyone likes you. You need to make sure the job gets done, even if it means that someone's feelings get hurt.

Everyone has given you great advice and anything I would say is simply re-hashing what has already been said.  The only thing that I would add is that your NOT an E5 that is a pay grade your a Sergeant (SGT) you have worked hard to earn the title and you should be proud.  Congratulations.

I wish I had known that not everyone who said to me I  got you six really got my back. My leadership in the other hand was pretty weak but I learned what not to do from them But I managed to learn by asking questions lots of them. So the more you ask the more you learn. Take care. 

Thank you so much, i feel i still have so much to learn but i have some really good ideas and now because i posed this question i feel i have some amazing leaders that i can ask for advice. Some of you even in boxed me with advice and amazing tips. I am grateful for your mentoring and best wishes.

Some of the worst advise I ever received was "Don't volunteer for anything." I ignored it and had a great career. The best parts of my career were as an E5 in assignments I volunteered for that no one else wanted to do.&nbsp;<div>Don't be in a big hurry to move up. E5 is the journeyman level and the place you hone your skills without the pressures of the paperwork that comes with E6.&nbsp;</div><div>Lead your junior members by example and don't be afraid to learn right along side of them.</div>

The first thing you can do is to refer yourself as a Noncommissioned Officer or a Sergeant; not an E5.

As an E5 your primary job is to lead by doing.
You want to outperform your guys on everything. PT them into the dirt. Run circles around them. Do everything you can as a team so they can see that you are the leader of that team.
As an E5 your PSG should be constantly trying to restrain you from going over the edge, like a junkyard dog on a chain. Protect your people fiercely. Stand up to your boss for them. Protect them like an umbrella from the storm of crap that will inevitably fall on their heads. Expect the best out of them. Accept nothing less. Then you will inspire your crew to greatness.

I had my first two drills with my new unit and use a lot of the advice i was given. I feel amazingly well prepared because i read and took note of the advice you gave me. <br>I have my e4s as my assistant team leaders, i have them mock counseling, making a leader book and helping me be accountable for the soldiers i have assigned them. My junior soldiers i started them doing their SSD1 and keeping them out of trouble. I am so thankful for all of the advice and help and so far the nicest thing i was told was from my PLT SSG who told me i was a SGT far above my time in grade. <br>Thank i thank you for. <br><br>

I feel so lucky to have had such great mentors give me amazing advice. I am so glad i asked this question. I walk into my new unit in January and because of all your help and great advice i feel like i am more prepared and ready for the adventure ahead.
You all have been fantastic.

If your remaining at your current assignment.  I suggest a week of quiet and attention...watch the soldiers and how they interact with one another.  Lead a couple PRT sessions as well and if not volunteer for them it shows early your dedicated to the continuous improvement of Soldier fitness and your own leadership skills.  Then after a week counsel all Soldiers generally for the ones your responsible.  Note expectations, gratitude, and problem areas that need to be rectified.  Include counseling's reflecting negative performance as well as positive and enforce the STANDARDS.... you are being watched at all times for weakness or shortcomings... prepare for longer days at times but wreak benefits that come with leading.  The short-term get SSD 1 complete for all soldiers under your leadership with first six months affording them an opportunity to go to WLC.  Get to your schools NCO at BN get enrolled in ALC-CC and bang it out in less than 30 days you can get a letter of completion from Commandant at Ft Bliss which is a possible bullet for your next NCOER.  Request additional military training as it becomes available to your unit within its own training guidelines, policy, and schedule.  Overall you need to understand and cope with varieties of personalities and adjust appropriately for what is to come.  Remember your no longer a Soldier alone.  Your a Leader of Soldiers and will perform as one.  ALL EYES ON YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!