Any advice for a new Lieutenant, leaving BOLC and heading for their first PL role?

One last thing when it comes to an “incident” where someone may be punished: I was a cop for 21 years. People frequently believe the first version reported of an incident. Never fall into this trap. Remain unemotional (as much as possible), remain objective, always wait until ALL the evidence is received and don’t be influenced by higher “pressure” because someone needs to take the fall. You are dealing with people’s lives and careers – I’ve seen officers punish or over punish Soldiers because someone higher wants it done when it is uncalled for. This is when you need to take a hard look at yourself and your own personal code. Regardless the point is this: Obtain ALL the evidence before making judgements and stay objective. Remember that people make mistakes – find out WHY they did what they did. Do the right thing.

Upon your first assignment, you will be put in charge of some enlisted. If you have one that is a senior NCO and trained, ASK that NCO to teach you. DO NOT exhibit an attitude of know it all!!!

Shut up, listen, and be open to ideas and criticism from others. Know D&C, and at least the basics of your unit's mission before you start talking to Soldiers, making plans, or giving your opinion on things. Become familiar with leave forms, and the basics of non-judicial punishment (this way if your CDR evers asks your opinion on the punishment for a Soldier you can give an intelligent answer). In closing, try to learn as much as possible from everyone in your unit, look for the subject matter experts but also let Soldiers explain their job to you and learn from them.

Listen to your PSG, and NCOs, but don't be afraid to make your own decisions. Use the wisdom of your NCOs, but remember that you are ultimately in charge and responsible for everything your platoon does or fails to do. Embrace the fact that as an Officer you work for your Soldiers, as well as your Commander. Don't be afraid to fight for the welfare of your men/women, but know when to salute the flag and drive on. Your Soldiers determine your fate, and if you take care of them, they will take care of you. Don't hesitate to discipline them when necessary, but consider the totality of the circumstances before you do. Be honest in all you do. Work hard to ensure your Soldiers are trained for war, but remember to give them time to relax. Live the Army Values, and always strive to choose the hard right over the easy wrong. Most of all, enjoy your time as PL, it is the most rewarding job in the Army.

Your Platoon Sergeant is your best asset. Use their wisdom.

I would recommend (note: though I am an Air Force Officer now, I was an Army Guard Artillery Officer for about eight years)
#1 Be Yourself -- Don't try to become the 'text book officer'
#2 Admit Your Mistakes or if You Don't Know Something -- One of my best experiences as a Junior Officer was as the BN Maintenance Officer, I admitted to the W-2 that I did not know squat about engines (and still do not know how to change my own oil). The Warrant handled the technical matters and I handled the staff stuff--pinging BTRY Commanders about maintenance--because I knew what I knew (and more importantly what I did not)...the BN XO was thrilled with our BN's motor pool probably for the first time in years since I did not pretend to know everything about being a mechanic and concentrated on my strengths/what my folks needed from me
#3 Listen to your Senior NCO (but understand that you are still the one in charge)
#4 Do the right thing (actually this should probably be #1 or 2, so this is not really in order)
#5 If it's messed up its your fault/If it goes right it is because your troops accomplished it. The second you get that reversed, you are toast!
#6 Stand-up/Advocate for your Soldiers And Know What They Need to Be Successful/be Promoted
#7 Read, Learn (Sort of goes with #3 but you've got to do your homework too)
#8 Plan...know the training calendar--is there a big exercise, deployment coming up--ensure your platoon's equipment, training, etc. is getting accomplished
#9 Be Yourself -- Yes I repeated this...it is the most important thing for any officer. If you try to be someone else it won't work for you...and your troops will see through you from three thousand miles away
# 10 Last point: Throw away the list I just gave you and any other list that anyone else gives you and make your own. If you are going to 'be yourself' you need to do what is comfortable for you!
Good Luck. I am jealous being a Platoon Leader is hard work, but rewarding!

There's a lot of repeats of "Listen to your NCOs" which, obviously, I agree with. My advice would be the same, but don't let being decisive fall to the wayside. YOU are the Platoon Leader. Use their advice, accept their mentorship, but ultimately remember that the decisions and their repercussions fall to you.

You are here asking for advise, you are already in the right track. Continue to do that once you arrive at your unit.

Stop in Benning and go through Ranger school. If you cannot attend for what ever reason, at a very minimum be very physically fit. No one respects an officer who can't hang with his men.

Have a good relationship with your PSG and Soldiers and listen to them. Don't be that PL that thinks he's the only one in charge. You are just the new guy in the platoon. They've been there way before you. Get to know all of them and their personal lives. I got lucky with mine and have excellent platoon sergeants and squad leaders that make my job easy. I've been a PL for 15 months now. I don't change this experience for anything. Take care of your Soldiers. Take care of your Soldiers. Don't get disappointed if you don't get a platoon right away. Even if you go to the S3 to wait for a platoon, learn everything you can and don't whine and stay focus.