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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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Follow and Read your NCO guide. Book cost $7.95... Learn from your mistakes cause you will make them.. Ask for guidance when needed from Your Squad leader or Platoon Sergeant. And Above all.. your former peers are now your Soldiers.. dissolve your friendships with them or ask to be moved to another platoon or unit. There are no more hey buddy stuff anymore. oh wait.. 7 months ago... ok well hows it going so far...and have you received you first negative counseling yet?...lol
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SFC (Join to see)
i have had to give one but not received. I just did WLC which should be a school all e4 go to .
So far its going really well and the advice i have been getting on here has been fantastic
So far its going really well and the advice i have been getting on here has been fantastic
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I would have to say that you need to understand that no one is perfect. Always be fair and impartial. When a Soldier does something right, congrats or good job is in order, if they do wrong then ALWAYS gear corrective training directly to what was done wrong so they know what they did was wrong and they show what is right.
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When I became an NCO I was not shown how to do the job above me. As far as soldiering we barely have lower enlisted but like what is previously said get to know your soldiers and make sure they also know the difference between work and friendship. So I would say know your job above you, pay attention to detail and, draw that friendship line so they know you are serious but your there to help them as well
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Congrats SGT Walker! First I would say you're a brand new Sergeant not an E-5, simply because you need to understand that you are a leader of Soldiers and not a pay grade. Leading Soldiers is a great responsibility but it also yields it's own great rewards....
1. Always be Professional; There will be times that you are challenged in this with your peers and your subordinates even, but remember the best way to set to teach is by setting the example first.
2. Be Accountable; Good, bad, right or wrong. Accept your part in it. Don't be a leader who only wants to lead when everything is going right....That's NOT leading!
3. Mistakes happen; It's ok to make mistakes, you are human (not a machine), just make sure you learn from them and move on. Never get stuck on the decision that was already after the fact.
4. Be Approachable; It's all good to have a strong drive to get the mission accomplished but make sure your Soldiers understand that they can come to you. They need to know that they can look to you for guidance. The moment they stop bringing you their problems is the moment you stop leading them.
5. Mission - NCO's make it happen; Not too much to say about getting the mission done except try to be an outside of the box thinker and be open to different points of view from peers and subordinates. If you notice a problem try and find a solution to suggest; nothing wrong with being one or two steps ahead.
*NOTE: Notice mission wasn't the first thing I spoke of. While getting the mission done is important it is NOT the only thing and it is NOT the only thing that makes good leaders into great leaders.
6. Live out the Creed; N.C.O. Those words that were written so long hold the same truth today as then. It is my honest belief that some have lost perspective of what the creed is trying to convey. The Army is always transforming and ever changing; we've got to maintain the continuity between the incoming Soldiers and the outgoing seasoned leaders. Your Soldiers will need you lead them. Your senior leadership will depend on you to train them up in the way they should go in order to accomplish the mission.
7. Be a Subject Matter Expert at your level; This is already stated in our creed ("be tactically and technically proficient"). Be SME in your field and additionally understand how your job effects the others around you and plays it's part in the mission. This will help in situations where there is a whole in the knowledge base.
8. Humble yourself; It is truly an honor to lead Soldiers but it is possible to forget that you were in their shoes once. Don't get to the point where you can't receive constructive criticism and don't forget where you cam from.
That's just my "two cents" but seeing that you are willingly open to advice I'm sure you will do fine. Good Luck Battle!!
PS. I just saw that this post is like 5 mos old but I had already typed this out.
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There will be lots of different advice, and yes it is important to follow the NCO creed, but what makes a great NCO compared to a good NCO is simple treat the soldiers working for you with respect. There are two kinds of leaders, those that earn respect and those that demand it.Â
1. Not only show that you know how to do the job, but also teach them how to do it. I use to give my soldiers responsibliity in the squad and taught that what was expected from them.
2. Never ask them to do something if you are not willing to do it yourself. When setting up in the field I was always there with them working just as hard, not just telling them what to do.
3. Reward them for a good job. When ever my squad would do good I would let them know. I would sometimes have a BBQ or take them to lunch. If someone did great I was sure to write up the job they did. Reports are not just for when someone does bad, but for when they do good. And if they did super I would recommend a certificate or award if it warrant. It let them know that I appreciated their hard work, was willing to let others know they were doing good.
When the soldiers working for you know that you will take care of them, they will take care of you. When your squad looks good you look good.Â
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I love your question SGT Walker.Â
The most important thing in my opinion is to absolutely LEAD BY EXAMPLE in your day to day routine as an NCO.
Your subordinates will emulate you and follow your footsteps be they right or be they wrong.Â
If you show your troops that being late, out of uniform and disrespectful is acceptable because those are things you do then they will mimic that behavior. If you are 15 minutes early for everything, show up looking sharp and show respect for all ranks and even go so far as to consistently snap to parade rest for higher ranks then your Soldiers will mimic that too.
Make sure that if you correct your troops for something they do wrong that you are not guilty for doing that too. Makes no difference what it is.
1SG Brock was absolutely correct in all of his responses so I'm not going to repeat all of that. lol
The only other thing I can think of is learn how deal with the opposite gender when counseling and mentoring. It can be difficult at times and there are no hard and fast rules on how to do it, because every human being is different. There are guidelines yes, but no magic bullet that works across the board. Know your troops and what counseling, mentoring or leadership approach works for each Soldier. That takes time, but pays dividends. A stern or rough approach with one troop might be fine and the Soldier will work hard and do the right thing all the time. That same approach with another troop may backfire and shut them down where they will not work or even respect you.
Ask for guidance from NCO's senior to you who you trust and have a good work relationship with. The truth is you will not always have the answer for everything and you will struggle from time to time. Don't let pride get in the way. Ask for help if you get stuck. There is no shame in that and your Soldiers will respect you for it.
Hope that helps. Good luck to you and welcome to the NCO Corps!!!! Hooah!!
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You must . . . love being a Soldier; love beingÂ
around other Soldiers; love leading, trainingÂ
and caring for Soldiers and their families; beÂ
technically and tactically proficient; be dedicated,Â
motivated, physically fit, mentally alert andÂ
morally straight; believe in your fellow Soldier, inÂ
your Army and in your nation; strive to be all youÂ
can be. And, if you’re a leader, want the same forÂ
those in your charge.
—SMA Richard A. Kidd
The NCO Creed must be your rock and will be the foundation of your leadership and professionalism. Good luck to you SGT Walker.
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I think this is a good thread for those we are trying to get to join can see the substance of some things we discuss between us as current and former military, soft spoken as well as informational and mentoring types of postings.
We also have fun at times while remaining professional.
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I second what the CSM said, you will face alot of new challenges as a leader that were not there before and as an NCO you will have to make decisions that will not be popular with some of your friends that you may now have to give orders too, You will learn to see the bigger picture now, Remember Accomplishment of the mission and welfare of the soldier will also be important , and when you get a chance to attend the leadership schools you will learn alot, Stay positive , set a good example to your fellow soldiers and you will do great , best of luck on your journey.
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1. FM 22-100 and FM 22-101, find the old one, not the new Sigmund Floyd mentality. But the one that written by Soldier post Vietnam era, they are more in line with current/mainstream Psychology.
2. NCO creed, memorize it, live it, it said it all. They are a be, know, do for the NCO. First paragraph - be, second paragraph - know, and third paragraph - do.
3. Be an NCO that you wish you have as your boss. Even animal like monkey, dog, or even cat knows when they are unfairly treated and can invoke nature's "seven sin".
4. If you are a religious person (All religious are saying pretty much the same when it comes to Sins and Virtues.), understand what will invoke nature's seven sin and what it will take to inspire your Soldiers to adduce to "seven virtue". Note: Seven virtue and sin are all living things instinct, not exclusively to human. It's scientifically proven animal has them too. Google it for more information.
5. Be mindful of your Soldiers reaction to what you do and say. (Feedback)
6. Expect the worst, and hope for the best. Know that you are not perfect and will never be perfect ; therefore, always seek self-improvement.
2. NCO creed, memorize it, live it, it said it all. They are a be, know, do for the NCO. First paragraph - be, second paragraph - know, and third paragraph - do.
3. Be an NCO that you wish you have as your boss. Even animal like monkey, dog, or even cat knows when they are unfairly treated and can invoke nature's "seven sin".
4. If you are a religious person (All religious are saying pretty much the same when it comes to Sins and Virtues.), understand what will invoke nature's seven sin and what it will take to inspire your Soldiers to adduce to "seven virtue". Note: Seven virtue and sin are all living things instinct, not exclusively to human. It's scientifically proven animal has them too. Google it for more information.
5. Be mindful of your Soldiers reaction to what you do and say. (Feedback)
6. Expect the worst, and hope for the best. Know that you are not perfect and will never be perfect ; therefore, always seek self-improvement.
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