Any insight/tips for a future Infantry PL?

1LT Kevin Chapman — Tue, 10 May 2022 23:51:58 -0400

Former/Current Infantry Platoon Leaders do you have any tips? Recommendations? Advice? Or things you wish you would have done? Or things you would have done differently? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I take my platoon within the next 2 months. Thank you!

Response by LTC Trent Klug made May 11 at 2022 1:22 AM

LTC Trent Klug — Wed, 11 May 2022 01:22:01 -0400

My 2 cents for you.

When you get to your unit, do not go in guns blazing. Your Soldiers know you are the PL. Introduce yourself to the PSG, the the SLs and TLs, and then to you Soldiers.

Take a week or so to get the lay of the land through your eyes. By this I mean, see how your NCOs work with their squad and the platoon.

Listen to your PSG. Learn from him. Never under any circumstances tell him you are in charge not him...for he wl let you be and you'll regret it.

Know your fieldcraft and tour TLPs. That will tell more about you to your Soldiers than anything else you do.

Never forget that your Soldiers bust their asses for their pay, and the platoon. Be a leader they look to. Don't be their buddy. And you'll only be able to reward their hard work with praise and some bits of metal and ribbons.

Lastly, keep a decently squared away uniform when you are in garrison and have a dirty nasty one in the field. You'll get that way from working hard with and for your platoon.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2022 1:41 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 May 2022 01:41:34 -0400

Contact one of these three gentlemen... they are very knowledgeable in Military related questions/issues.
@SFC Thomas Livingston @MSgt Curtis Borders @SFC Jason Boyd

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made May 11 at 2022 11:33 AM

SSG Carlos Madden — Wed, 11 May 2022 11:33:02 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member ?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2022 11:57 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 May 2022 11:57:06 -0400

I have listed a few links. I think the first link is where you will make your money as a PL. You are a leader so you need to know how to lead. Just being there isn't enough. You should also learn about Unit Training Management and how you fit into that. You will need to know how you fit into your commanders plan to be successful. Your knowledge and ability to reference doctrine to train will make your platoon stand out.

The worst thing you can do is to just do what people tell you what they did in the past. If you have to plan a team live fire just don't pull a random power point from the sharedrive or listen to random NCO say "we just did it this way and it worked." You would seek out those that were there and use their input as recommendations and review the doctrine and METL to develop how you are going to tackle this.

1. Read this, https://foreignpolicy.com/2014/04/16/20-things-about-being-a-platoon-leader-that-he-wishes-he-knew-way-back-when/

2. Watch this, https://www.dvidshub.net/video/808205/first-100-days-infantry-platoon-leader

3 Know this. https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/DR_pubs/DR_a/pdf/web/ATP%203-21x8%20FINAL%20WEB%20INCL%20C1.pdf

20 things about being a platoon leader that he wishes he knew way back when

Tom note: This originally appeared in War Council, a fine blog out of West Point. I am running it here with the permission of the…

Response by SGT David Priode made May 11 at 2022 1:14 PM

SGT David Priode — Wed, 11 May 2022 13:14:27 -0400

Already great advice has been given. Just my .02 As a former Infantry squad leader Listen to your NCO's they are a wealth of information, your NCO's can make you or break you. Lead from the front don't ask your soldier's to do something that your are not willing to do, (example staying safely back on base and never going out on missions. Don't be afraid to get dirty in the field or the motor pool You as a leader need to know what your men are experiencing, it seems easy to say but once in combat people/leaders change some for the good some for the worse). Don't be a John Wayne and at the same time don't be little bo-peep its a fine line you will walking you need to earn your soldier's respect get to know each and every one of them. Some of your best field soldiers are your worse garrison soldiers be firm but not overtly aggressive when addressing the issue unless needed. Don't step on one of your soldiers/NCO's to advance your career (yes it happens). Soldiers know what they need to do but recognize your men a good job here and thank you there it goes a long way. Make sure the ones who deserve to be awarded get awarded. Don't be afraid to think outside the box field manuals are great but real life is another story. Anyway wishing you the best of luck, stay safe, watch your six and charlie mike.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2022 1:40 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 May 2022 13:40:49 -0400

1LT Kevin Chapman I would like to offer some simple advice, if I may, from a salty old SGT... understand the roles of an Officer and the roles of the NCO's; realize how they differ and maximize your role. I have been in combat arms all my career; and always in a line unit. I have had some amazing PL's come through and some horrible ones as well... the best ones knew their job and let the NCO's do theirs. It goes the same for a new PLT SGT as well... we need to know our roles and make sure we are not stepping on the toes of the PL... it is a balancing act at times, but when the roles are mastered it can be magical!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 11 at 2022 2:29 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 11 May 2022 14:29:12 -0400

If I was a Tank PL, then you don't want my advice?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 11 at 2022 9:02 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 11 May 2022 21:02:03 -0400

- Be humble. Learn from the NCOs.
- Roll up your sleaves and work with the soldiers.
- Understand TLPs, OPORDs, TACSOP. TACSOP, UNDERSTAND IT SO IT'S SECOND NATURE.
- Always do a hands on sensitive items check before moving from a location and upon reaching a new location.
- Take care of the soldiers and their families.
- Let the NCOs do their jobs.
- Acetate OPORD, Sector sketches, and other documents you will use over and over again. Use alcohol pens and rubbing alcohol.
- When I issued an OPORD I did so for the whole platoon.
- I put POCs and Phone #s on an Excel Spreadsheet so I did not have to dig for numbers.
- Always think about safety and risks. Is there a way to mitigate risks?
- Try to have some fun.

I am tired. This is all I can come up with now.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2022 9:17 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 May 2022 21:17:50 -0400

BLUF: Don't be a dick. Don't use your Troops as a stepping stone for your career. Learn from your PSG.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made May 11 at 2022 9:32 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Wed, 11 May 2022 21:32:57 -0400

Take care of your people and they'll make you look good.

Response by 1LT Mike Schelp made Jun 4 at 2022 3:39 PM

1LT Mike Schelp — Sat, 04 Jun 2022 15:39:15 -0400

Looking to your troops welfare and conducting the mission will make you a good leader. Playing politics will make you a career officer.

Response by MAJ Gregory Moon made Aug 9 at 2022 10:05 AM

MAJ Gregory Moon — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 10:05:14 -0400

I'll echo a bit. Go in listen a lot and watch how things are going. If you see something you think is off ask questions first. It may be okay it may be wrong. Don't jump on a guy with both boots until you know you're landing on the right guy. Learn whose doing what and who is good a what. Solidiers aren' always interchangeable. Learn your company see how the Commander likes things done and if it doesn't make sense ask first. Get to know the supply motor pool and HQ guys. They'll be a lot of help in getting things done. Watch the other platoon leaders you may like what you see or may not but watch. The one place to be a total ass is your hand receipt. Don't sign for what you have not seen and don't let anyone force you. Get handle on what is accountable, expendable durable and just expendable. You'll be surprised how many things that have to be counted for . That way you won't be doing a FLIPl or survey or what ever name it is these days. That mistake cost me $800 in 1980s money.

Response by CPT Kerrith King made Feb 10 at 2023 4:45 PM

CPT Kerrith King — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 16:45:55 -0500

Navy and Army mustang, former airborne infantry platoon leader and company commander (Vietnam) -- trust your sergeants; as a former EM I was blown away with how little I had to do. Sergeants thrive on service.

Tip: Do whatever it takes to get extra rounds for practice. As an Ex UDT-frogman I was shocked at their marksmanship and how few rounds are allocated for training. On the way back to base (with my "Rat Patrol" of jeeps) I would have them fire off their entire basic load (for practice, and, to save them from having to hand-clean each corroded round).

I strongly recommend that you do The [free] Clearing Process for Professionals < https://www.comcom121.org/proclearing/index.htm > it's about eliminating the possible consequences of life's unacknowledged perpetrations. Also, read about the effects of the communication model used at our academies < https://comcom121.org/anecdotes.htm#scandals >. Best wishes.

Clearing Process for Professionals

The Clearing Process for Professionals