Advice for making the transition to Squad Leader.

Excellent comment and advice.

Thanks SGT Wheeler, you're definitely right about that. As a Team Leader, it's advantageous to be extremely hands on and involved in everything as it happens. I'm learning to trust my Team Leaders and loosen up the reigns. I think when we get back to garrison it'll will be easier. The margin for error is much smaller here as you all know.

Another hint of advice SGT Raynes, if I may present it to you.  I truly believe that you have to look away from the entire concept of 'garrison' leadership and 'field' leadership.  My belief is that there is no such thing as a difference in leadership when it comes to where you are at with the unit.  My influence to you is to lose that mentality and lose it quickly, because it can easily show troops that you may in fact be a 2 faced person... now that doesn't mean I am saying you are, for I don't know you, but in the mind of a young and impressionable soldier just getting to a unit, your persona could definitely be mistaken.  Without a doubt, if you continue to ask for advice, and heed different peoples warnings, and learn from their past experiences (victories and failures alike) you'll do just fine.

What I meant by my last comment was mainly that I'm keeping closer tabs on my Team Leaders for a variety of reasons like the fact that they're both first time Team Leaders, also we've never worked together, and along with other unit circumstances I won't get into except to say that the margin for error is very slim. I didn't mean that I believe in two separate style's of leadership, for the very reasons you gave, SGT Wheeler.. You are absolutely correct in that regard. It's just that adaptability seems to be the name of the game. So that's what I'm trying to do at the moment. I've spoken with the whole Squad and explained as plainly as I can my intentions and what I expect from them. I definitely don't want to come off two-faced!

Thank you SFC Baber!

Remember where you came from.  Use what you learned from your prior experience with your former NCO's.  You must remain firm and fair.

Thank you, Sir! I'm excited about the promotion, but at the same time I feel like I have to kick into an even higher gear because of the additional responsibility. It's too easy for people to do just the bare minimum and get by. I don't want to be just an "okay" Squad Leader. I want to be the type of SSG that I always looked up to as a Joe. The guy that seemingly knew everything. They type of Leader for whom it did not seem there was a situation that he could not handle. Someone who was tough, fair, approachable, knowledgeable, and capable.