Posted on Mar 2, 2018
Any advice for a new XO about to walk into a Troop change of command?
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I am currently a PL about to take over the XO slot in my Troop. In June I am going to be facilitating my Commander’s CoC. Is there anything in particular that I can do/read up on now to prepare? Or just any advise in general about the transition from PL to XO (specifically in the same Troop)?
Executive Officer
Cavalry Troop Executive Officer
LT
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 3
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INVENTORY! Get that Supply SGT., PLT Ldr’s, PSG’s, Motor Pool and everyone else on board. Get friendly with your S4.
I suggest having them layout & count and make any SOC’s or replacements now and have those doc’s on hand for the actual inventory.
Make sure everything is accounted for - sensitive items checked by serial # and verified by a 2nd party.
Make sure you have no overages or shortages per your MTOE. You’ll get some sniveling from having to layout & inventory more than once but explain why beforehand to make sure your leaders are on the same page from the jump.
Make sure all equipment is serviceable and all deficiencies are noted with corrective action taken (specifically for Motor Pool and weapons).
FYI; your own Command ‘starts’ with this. You gotta get it right.
Task out to a PL to collect for a Hail & Farwell (at Troop level) and to arrange for some sort of Troop get together.
Do you guys have a current Troop picture?
I suggest having them layout & count and make any SOC’s or replacements now and have those doc’s on hand for the actual inventory.
Make sure everything is accounted for - sensitive items checked by serial # and verified by a 2nd party.
Make sure you have no overages or shortages per your MTOE. You’ll get some sniveling from having to layout & inventory more than once but explain why beforehand to make sure your leaders are on the same page from the jump.
Make sure all equipment is serviceable and all deficiencies are noted with corrective action taken (specifically for Motor Pool and weapons).
FYI; your own Command ‘starts’ with this. You gotta get it right.
Task out to a PL to collect for a Hail & Farwell (at Troop level) and to arrange for some sort of Troop get together.
Do you guys have a current Troop picture?
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LTC(P) (Join to see)
Agree with CW3, inventory management is key. Get copies of the current TIs for all your kit, confirm them with your Brigade PBO, and spend the time to develop details shortage annexes. Part of your job as XO is to fix those shortages, so you prioritize and order equipment, update annexes, and keep accurate inventories. Setting a high standard during your initial CoC inventories will make that easier. The reason it matters is when you 1) are identified to deploy and know what you have and need, 2) you ensure your Soldiers have the kit they need to do their job, and 3) Your responsibility to take care of Army equipment. Leave the Troop in a better place and own logistics for the unit....
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Your job is to have your hands in everything so that your Commander can Command! The Commander should have no reservations about your ability to handle things in his absence.
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It’s likely that he will be out on paternity leave my first week as XO, which coincidentally is our FSCX, Troop level exercise. I’ll get my feel wet, tactically, as a commander immediately.
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