Advice for newly commissioned 2LT/Platoon Leader?

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 19:02:46 -0500

I am graduating BOLC this week and reporting to my first duty station shortly. Does anyone have advice/tips for a new 2LT/PL? All help is greatly appreciated!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2021 7:14 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 19:14:54 -0500

Take charge, but listen to the advice and guidance of your Platoon Sergeant. You don't have to always follow their advice, but don't brush them off, either.

Response by COL Thomas McGrath made Nov 16 at 2021 8:04 PM

COL Thomas McGrath — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 20:04:19 -0500

Be a leader and take charge, know your job tactically and technically. Listen closely to your PSG and make sure he is fully involved. You do not have career yet so just do your job well.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2021 9:24 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 21:24:46 -0500

Yes! Listen to your NCO’s. Don’t be the LT with the good faith idea. Don’t do anything without a task and purpose at hand. Mission first but you can’t complete the mission if you don’t take care of your Soldiers. Get to know them, their strengths and weaknesses. Asses them fairly and use their respective strengths and weaknesses for the betterment of the team. Always listen to your NCO’s and Soldiers, but never forget you are in charge. Compliment in public and reprimand in private (I had a hard time with this one). Remember to stay in your lane and out of NCO business. It’s your business to know their business but not to get into it unless illegal crap is going down. Always listen to your NCO’s.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2021 10:13 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 22:13:51 -0500

Know your Soldiers and take care of them. That doesn’t mean you’re always going to make them happy. What I mean by take care of them is make sure that they’re staying on top of their individual readiness.

Listen to your NCOs and foster an environment where tactful, respectful dissension is encouraged. If you don’t do this, eventually no one will come to you with their problems or their disagreements. You don’t want that. But remember, you’re in charge. Listening to your NCOs doesn’t always mean agreeing with them.

Start by ensuring that your company commander gives you an initial counseling so you can understand his/her expectations of you, and ask him/her for their OER support form during that counseling. Use their support form to immediately start yours, and nest it with your commander’s. A great trick to doing your support form is starting it at the beginning of the rsting period (your rating period starts the day you report to your unit). Keep a Word document on your desktop and update as you go throughout the year. This will make completing your support form so much easier at the end of the rating period.

Give an issue counseling those you will rate, and make sure your counseling to them nests with the counseling you received from your commander. Believe it or not, initial and quarterly counseling is a dying art, and it shouldn’t be. You have to know your commander’s expectations, and in turn, your Soldiers need to understand your expectations of them.

This isn’t all-encompassing, but it’s enough to get you started. A lot of it has to be learned on the job. Being a PL is absolutely one of the best jobs you’ll ever have, besides command. Enjoy the time you’ll have with Soldiers. It goes quick, I can confirm.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 16 at 2021 10:55 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 16 Nov 2021 22:55:00 -0500

You've received excellent advice from five respondees... I have nothing to add. Good luck in your miliitary career.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2021 12:10 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 00:10:15 -0500

Great advice so far.

It is ok to have a conversation with your troops, listen to them, gauge them even. The final decision in any endeavor is yours. When a task needs to be done ask your NCOs to take charge after a good solid briefing and let them take charge. The desire to run the show yourself, prove yourself, is a strong force. Learn to temper it with delegation. Realize it will take time for you to find your balance and integrate with your unit. And have fun (just don't let them see you having too much fun). ;)

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2021 8:24 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 08:24:53 -0500

There's so many things to give advice on for a newly commissioned 2LT.

First introduce yourself to your Platoon Sergeant and your Squad Leaders, they will be folks you will be leaning on heavily for quite a bit until you start getting the hang of things. Find the time to sit down with your Platoon Sergeant for an initial counseling, and to lay down expectations for each other. Take care of your soldiers.

You will hear this one countless times...Listen to your NCO's. They have a wealth of experience they bring to the table and are there to help you succeed. Many of your NCO's have over a decade of experience in the Army, some have over 2 decades, their advice is invaluable. Don't be afraid to ask them questions, they will most likely know the answer 90% of the time.

Do not micromanage your NCO's (both Junior and Senior NCO's) because by doing so you are depraving them of the opportunity to properly work with their Soldiers and continue to build on their leadership development (specially your Junior NCO's). The only time you should micromanage is when the situation gets desperate and safety is at risk.

Try and memorize the names (Last names) of all the Soldiers in your platoon, it shows that you're putting in the effort to get to know your platoon.

Try and avoid the office environment. The Soldiers in the platoon want to see their Platoon Leader involved in the the training they're doing. Keep in mind that there will be times when you can't avoid "the office" due to administrative tasks required of you as an officer.

Take NCOER's seriously, we owe it to our NCO's. NCOER's are part of the lifeblood of an NCO's career. They will make or break an NCO's career.

Make good use of the FMS.Web site and take a good look at the MTOE of the unit you'll be going in to. This will help you out on both the short and the long run.

Network, network, network. Networking will help you out on both the short and long run. It's a small army after all, and you'll be running into some of the same people in subsequent assignments.

Do not stay as a Platoon Leader for more than 18 months, it will backfire on you in the long run, and you may find it difficult to get XO time, battalion staff time and company command. The longer you stay as a Platoon Leader (past 18 months) the longer your peers up at battalion have to wait to get Platoon Leader time.

Go to as many schools available as possible (Airborne, Air Assault, Pathfinder, etc.) those skillsets can help out on the long run.

Do your job to the best of your ability, doesn't matter if you're doing 4 years, 20 years or 30+ years.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2021 10:18 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 10:18:07 -0500

I’ve always suggested being a servant leader. A servant leader shares power, puts the needs of the Soldiers first and helps people develop and perform as highly as possible. In doing so you’ll see significant output from your platoon.

Also, when in charge BE IN CHARGE. What I mean by that is make decisions and provide guidance and leadership to your Soldiers. You won't have all of the answers but trust your NCOs.

Best of luck to you in your career. Make the most of it.

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Nov 17 at 2021 10:53 AM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 10:53:17 -0500

Lean into your training but also know you will not organically have everything you need to be successful. You will need mentoring from your leadership and will also need assistance from your SNCO's. Your enlisted counterpart needs to be seen as an asset/ally and not just another subordinate. They are there to help make you successful.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Nov 17 at 2021 11:25 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 11:25:24 -0500

(I have re-read this prior to posting, and it may come off a bit harsh. That is not at all my intent. I can't figure out how to "tone it down" without losing context. Please understand that I am not trying to chastise or bully. Please read this with the voice of sincerity and honest effort to be helpful in setting the right foot forward.)

Sir,

There are a TON of similar (searchable) threads on here already.

So here is my first tip for a young LT:

Exhaust available resources before admitting you don't know something - especially in front of your troops. Double especially when the available resources are things the Troops know about.

I am not saying to never ask for advice - ask for it, and often! But look to your peers and pubs first. (Unless it is dealing with specific internal issues, like "what is going on with "SGT Smith," or "how should we handle this issue with PFC Johnson?" - then lean HEAVILY on the support of your NCOs.)

But if you ask your squad leaders how to work power point or where a button on outlook is, without first googling it, you will paint a very negative picture of your competence.

If it can be found in google, army publications, or a chat with other LTs, go there FIRST. Then present a tentative solution to your NCOs, 1SG/CO, etc. and ask for input and "tweaks," rather than starting broad with "tell me anything." Don't ask your NCOs what the maintenance plan should be. Come up with a maintenance plan (after doing any necessary research), and then run it by the NCOs and ask for input and feedback. Show them you have at least half a clue and ask them to help you learn the other half.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2021 3:12 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 15:12:08 -0500

When you arrive change everything. Just kidding. Don't do that. But don't be afraid, once you understand why procedures are as they are, to bring in your new perspective, education, and the fact that, initially, you should have the most recent school house knowledge.
If your platoon operates vehicles get licensed on everything. Every once and a while swap yourself in as the driver and have the SPC or SGT TC. If your platoon drives often try to TC for every member of your platoon, it's a good opportunity for you to get to know your soldiers and a way for you to evaluate them as drivers.
Take time to help your soldiers with their MOSs tasks from time to time and have them teach you what they are doing. It will help you know what right looks like and build rapport.
If a someone more senior comes for a tour of your operations make the introductions but then have your soldiers explain their job to that leader as opposed to you doing all the explaining of what your soldiers do. "SPC Jones is a mechanic on this piece of equipment. His work is always top notch . He will go over what it takes to keep this equipment ready for the warfighter."
It can be very tempting to do most or all the talking when the COL or BG wants to see how your section operates. Let you soldiers shine and show the higher ups that you know how to manage resources in the process.

Response by 1SG Bill Farmerie made Nov 17 at 2021 4:18 PM

1SG Bill Farmerie — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 16:18:52 -0500

Listen to your NCOs, especially your PSG and Squad Leaders. Listening to good NCOs will help your thrive. You will know if they are good within a few hours by just observing. When I was in ANCOC quite a few years ago, I gave LTs who were getting ready to go to their first assignments that same advice. The one became a PL of my PLT. He came up to me and said you were right, I could see who the good NCOs were just by observing.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2021 8:21 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 20:21:19 -0500

Listen and learn from your NCOs, but also understand that the final decision (at your respective level) is up to you. Don’t be afraid to fail at something, but also learn from it so it doesn’t happen again in the future.

Also, build up your liver strength - you’ll need it the further you go in your career

Response by CSM William Everroad made Nov 18 at 2021 10:19 AM

CSM William Everroad — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 10:19:32 -0500

2LT Private RallyPoint Member Lot of great advice here and on other threads on RP. I can only add at this point: know your unit's mission. Know the mission essential task list for your platoon, company, and battalion. Everything your unit plans and does should revolve around getting ready to execute those tasks with perfected proficiency. Maintain the skills, equipment, and people that will be needed to accomplish those objectives.

Response by Sgt George Lawrence made Nov 18 at 2021 11:11 PM

Sgt George Lawrence — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 23:11:05 -0500

The main post refers to "advise". The correct word is "advice", a noun. "Advise" is a verb.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2021 1:48 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 13:48:19 -0500

A lot of repeating themes here, but I'll add this narrow bit of opinion from my own experience.

DO NOT GIVE SECOND CHANCES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Stay with me here............... The Military/System gives more than enough second/third/forth chances. If the soldier has exhausted those then don't risk your own skin giving them more. Generally, I think those chances are your CO's to give at this point. Not yours, but keep it in mind down the road.

You are under the umbrella of your Company Commander, and this is why it's important you get your initial counseling from the CO, but if you question something that is going on then speak up.

To what SFC O'Mally mentioned, for me personally if I'm asking a question here on RallyPoint I've run out of places to look. This includes asking my own NCO's, peers and bosses in my unit. Right or wrong, those are the ones with the most influence for the decision path I am seeking.

Chances are there is a regulation to support a course of action you are seeking. If you are trying to change a superior's mind about a course of action it is going to be a regulation reference that is going to be your best chance of making that happen.

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 19 at 2021 1:54 PM

CDR Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 13:54:36 -0500

2LT Private RallyPoint Member congratulations! Very glad to see you active out here in the socials.

"Take care of your people" means so much more than what you've likely been told.

We all leave service some day, so the military family and servicemember should be planning for it from day 1.

Too much to cover in this post here, but glad to provide insights outside the platform.

Come check me out on LinkedIn.

To Your Liberty,

#HeckYeah

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Nov 22 at 2021 6:44 PM

MSG Danny Mathers — Mon, 22 Nov 2021 18:44:12 -0500

Ask questions with your platoon sergeant. No such thing as a stupid question. Your NCOs are there to prepare you for your next command.

Response by Maj Pat Dominic made Dec 10 at 2021 4:11 AM

Maj Pat Dominic — Fri, 10 Dec 2021 04:11:10 -0500

Lead from out front! Don't ask your troops to do anything you aren't willing to do first. Make sure your troops are fed and cared for before you. Present your NCO's with the mission. Trust your NCO's to carry out that mission. If questioned by an NCO and you don't know the answer, tell them you will get back to them, then do it. Never, EVER, lie to your troops, your troops ALWAYS know the truth. Your NCOs are leaders, they are the buffers between you and your troops. While your NCOs are to be respected, they are not your friends, nor are your troops. Tell your NCOs that you do not want "yes" men, tell them you expect honest answers when things go to shit, as well as possible solutions. Assure your NCOs that you have their 'six' and you expect them to have yours. Any disrespect or insubordination should be dealt with swiftly. Never show fear or indecision. Set the example, exceed the standard. Seek advice from other officers who have been there and done that. Learn how to be a great leader, read biographies of past outstanding leaders. Duty, Honor, Country. Learn how to be a great follower, know when to go from leader to follower and do it seamlessly.
P.S. Congrats

Response by 2d Lt Gaile Bryant made Dec 30 at 2021 1:43 PM

2d Lt Gaile Bryant — Thu, 30 Dec 2021 13:43:08 -0500

Congratulations! The best advice I can give is be quiet and listen to the higher ranking non commissioned officers. They know everything you need to know. If you "wear your rank on your shoulders" they will sit back and watch you make unnecessary mistakes. Be wise, quite and humble.