Anyone else remember the saying Be, Know, Do?

2016-05-10T22:07:23-04:00

I've only been in for a few years and one thing I was told was the term Be, Know, Do.
Be a leader. Know what your doing. Do it with your soldiers.
What happened to it and why isn't it used anymore? I see it as a great stepping stone into the Corp. Am I wrong?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 10:17 PM

2016-05-10T22:17:23-04:00

It's one of my favorite sayings. Keep living it, and one day some joe will remember you and say, "doesn't anybody remember 'Be, Know, Do' anymore?"

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made May 10 at 2016 10:17 PM

2016-05-10T22:17:30-04:00

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member oh yea, it used to be in FM 22-100 leadership, under the old school manual.

Response by SFC Trevor Wilkinson made May 10 at 2016 10:38 PM

2016-05-10T22:38:48-04:00

As a Senior NCO (SFC) Retired, I have lived that principle! I strived to set the example for my Junior Enlisted (Be), I have trained my Junior Enlisted on how to perform their duties in an exemplary manner (Know) and I have set the example by doing what it meant to be proud of wearing the rank of SFC (Do). If these principles ever were removed from our Creed, that of a Non Commissioned Officer, than 20 years of blood, sweat and heartaches just got flushed down the toilet!!

If you have a problem with your first line supervisor (usually an E-5 SGT), request to speak with the Squad Leader, (SSG) simple as that!

Follow the Chain of Command to satisfy any issues and this goes for everyone whom is in the Military! You may not like it, but it is policy!!

We are a Team and we resolve problems, just do it in a Professional manner!!

(SFC) US Army Retired Wilkinson

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2016 10:48 PM

2016-05-10T22:48:09-04:00

I'm not going to get into what I fell is the problem with leaders today. That's for me to talk to them and them alone. What I can say is a leader is diffinned by what his or her Soldiers do. Not by what your NCOER will say. I believe in Be, Know, Do. I will continue to apply that to today's Army because that's what a leader is. Someone that can change and keep the same values. Remember what you believe in and strive to be better than your leadership not your peers. It's not a competition like the NCOER is today we are a team not competitors.

Response by SSG Dennis Grossmann made May 11 at 2016 10:36 AM

2016-05-11T10:36:41-04:00

I do remember. NCOs are supposed to be the subject matter experts. Most are being promoted on p.t. alone and not on their technical/tactical skills. That is where their leadership has failed them. By always giving out positive counseling and no true guidance on how to lead, only sets them up for failure.

Response by SFC Craig Dalen made May 11 at 2016 10:37 AM

2016-05-11T10:37:03-04:00

Should still be used in my book...

Response by SGT Ben Keen made May 11 at 2016 10:40 AM

2016-05-11T10:40:44-04:00

"Be, Know, Do" extends well beyond our time in the military. This sort of idea is critical to your over life success. As a father, I think of it in terms of raising my kids. They look to me to set the example, the same as young Soldiers do towards their NCOs on some level. Yet, for children, they are following the first example you set whereas Soldiers come in with their training and such. As a parent, as a working professional and as a community activist, Be, Know, Do plays an everyday roll in my life even after all these years of hanging up my uniform.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2016 2:20 PM

2016-05-11T14:20:23-04:00

Check out the leadership requirement model in ADP 6-22.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2016 6:25 PM

2016-05-11T18:25:20-04:00

SPC Soraja, I will tell you from experience that the phase Be, Know, Do is still very much alive. We use this in our professional model for direct leadership. Understanding the principles of direct leadership is the building blocks that we use to tie in with organizational and strategic leadership. As an NCO, I find that some the information you are receiving here is 1. Untrue and 2. Wasteful over rated opinion. Continue to strive for excellence.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 11 at 2016 6:44 PM

2016-05-11T18:44:28-04:00

how can you tell me my job, when you cant even do it youself

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2016 10:01 PM

2016-05-16T22:01:47-04:00

Unfortunately, we change with the good idea fairy. It was a great statement that required attention to details, as well as, required the Soldier to own up to all that they did; good, bad, or indifferent. CW4 Gladney