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I am a brand new E5, I have my orders and will be pinned next weekend. What with hindsight - what do you wish you had known when you were stepping up to this new responsibility. Junior leaders what qualities do you wish your leadership had. I really would like to be a great, empowering NCO not just a Luke warm. I haven't had many good examples to follow from. Please keep it nice not negative.
Thank you, your thoughts will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you, your thoughts will be greatly appreciated.
Rank
NCOs
Responsibility
Career Advice
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 82
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1) Getting your hands dirty is a now a privilege.
As a Sergeant and no longer a Specialist you will be responsible for the work of 3-5 Soldiers and potentially many more during random work details. So you must ensure all placed under your charge are gainfully employed or training before you pitch in. Once you start pitching in what ever task it is that needs to be accomplished pause periodically and take a head count. If someone is off task, be firm, and redirect. Only if everyone is productive can you get your hands dirty too.
2) Scan left to right and top to bottom.
Even when it looks like you are not working you are now. Always look for deficiencies in actions, attitudes, dress, and products. So scan the crowd of Soldiers to your front from left to right and top to bottom, correct professionally, and resume your scan. Your work is now never done.
3) Always ready to train in a moment's notice.
Have prepared in your assault pack prepared training for any 20 minute gap that arises in the training schedule. Read up on your selected training subject one month prior to execution, sign out or create the visual training aids, and rehearse with your squad leader.
So for instance in the month January you will train any and all Soldiers within your circle of influence on Employ and Recover a M18A1 Antipersonnel Mine.
--So in the first two weeks of December read up on everything you can find on the subject; history, physical characteristics and construction, command vs. trigger detonation, camouflage techniques and other field craft such as unspooling wire and S-rolling for easier deployment, blast area effects, back blast area distance for protected and unprotected personnel, ect.
--In the third week sign for or create the visual aids and rehearse with them and gain mastery.
--In the fourth week rehearse in front of your squad leader or platoon sergeant and refine as necessary.
--During the month of January execute the training with as many Soldiers as you can reach and they will surely be impressed with your competence.
Best of Luck and Congratulations!
(4)
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SGT Walker - I remember the day I was promoted to E-5 back in the day. I wish someone had told me that my buddies (E-1-E-4) would take advantage of our friendship that we had before I was promoted. Remember - you have to separate your official duties as their supervisor from the personal relationship you may have had when you were SPCs together. Now - you must enforce standards that you may have broken while you were an E-4. Do the right thing…when no one is watching…and you will do just fine! Professionally develop your subordinates, continue your professional and civilian education! Good Luck!
(4)
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The best advice I can give you is to be yourself. Shape and mold your own Leadership style. Separate yourself from your subordinates, but also let them know you really care about their well being. You take care of Soldiers, they will take care of you. Learn as much as you can because you never know when you technical or tactical expertise will be called upon. Good luck in your career SGT.
(4)
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Make sure that you are very approachable but not their friends. You want them to come to you with whatever issues they have so you can help them come up with a course of action to solve the problem and so that the problem doesn't linger or get worse. The most important thing with this is that they are sure that you will be there for them but you are not their drinking buddy because you don't want to lose the respect of your fellow leaders.
(4)
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Congratulations and it motivates me to see a hungry young leader that is thirsty for knowledge and looking forward to the challenges that are ahead. Lead by example, accomplish your mission and take care of your Soldiers. Live the Creed, counsel your Soldiers often, and ensure you include positive event-oriented counseling's as well as monthly counseling's. Stay versed in current doctrine, get involved in the NCOPD and LPDs within the unit, and go to a unit training meeting to gain the experience. Ensure you are relevant and current with the unit mission, look at the training schedules and volunteer to teach classes and be the primary or assistant instructor during Sgt's Time Training.
A couple recommendations. Familiarize yourself with doctrine - you want to be a relevant NCO so you must know your craft and the doctrine as well.
A couple specifics document to look at to get you started:
ADP 6-22 (ARMY LEADERSHIP): http://armypubs.army.mil/doctrine/DR_pubs/dr_a/pdf/adp6_22.pdf
ADP 7-0 (TRAINING UNITS AND DEVELOPING LEADERS) http://armypubs.army.mil/doctrine/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/adp7_0.pdf
Finally, do not quit being the example, go out there and compete at the Soldier and/or NCO of the month competitions, and challenge your Soldiers to do the same. Challenge them in word and on paper during the monthly counseling. Know your Soldiers battle sight zero. Those immediate leaders that knew their Soldiers battle sight zero typically really knew their Soldiers!
This is a huge step in your career and an awesome responsibility - do not take it for granted and always keep the best interest of your Soldiers in mind in every decision you make - and never, NEVER forget where you came from.
A couple recommendations. Familiarize yourself with doctrine - you want to be a relevant NCO so you must know your craft and the doctrine as well.
A couple specifics document to look at to get you started:
ADP 6-22 (ARMY LEADERSHIP): http://armypubs.army.mil/doctrine/DR_pubs/dr_a/pdf/adp6_22.pdf
ADP 7-0 (TRAINING UNITS AND DEVELOPING LEADERS) http://armypubs.army.mil/doctrine/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/adp7_0.pdf
Finally, do not quit being the example, go out there and compete at the Soldier and/or NCO of the month competitions, and challenge your Soldiers to do the same. Challenge them in word and on paper during the monthly counseling. Know your Soldiers battle sight zero. Those immediate leaders that knew their Soldiers battle sight zero typically really knew their Soldiers!
This is a huge step in your career and an awesome responsibility - do not take it for granted and always keep the best interest of your Soldiers in mind in every decision you make - and never, NEVER forget where you came from.
(3)
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Do not let the rank go to your head.always remember what it was like being a at lower rank
(3)
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First off, congratulations. Secondly find top notch NCO's in your unit and elsewhere to learn from. Either an established Sqaud leader, your platoon SGT, 1SG......etc. Pick their brains and emulate certain attributes. Develop your leadership style based off regulations and common sense. Get into the regulations and learn what is legit and what is barracks lawyer nonsense. Your not going to be able to remember every regulation but you are expected to be able to research the regulations and train your subordinates accordingly. Treat Soldiers fairly. Be willing to do everything you are asking them to do. Provide realistic training for your Soldiers at all times regardless if it MOS related or not. The NCO Creed is real, follow it. You will make mistakes, learn from them. Don't be afraid to make decisions. Good luck.
(3)
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CW4 (Join to see)
No problem. Getting promoted to SGT is a great achievement and still one of my proudest moments of my career. It ranks right up there with getting promoted to CW3 in my opinion. Go forth and do great things.
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When I was an NCO, i had the NCO creed posted and I require my Marines to do the same to remind them of their responsibilities. As a SNCO, I have the SNCO creed posted to remind me what is expected.
You won't be perfect, you will make mistakes, you will learn, and you will become a better leader everyday.
(3)
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Honestly SGT, just remember that you were once a lower-enlisted too, and you'll be relied on heavily by your subordinates to deal both fairly and compassionately. Not as a "I'm an NCO, and you're not" kind of dictator. Follow the example of the NCOs above you, and listen carefully to those below you.
(2)
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