Posted on Sep 23, 2019
Are there any good apps, free or purchased/iOS or Android, for replacing or supplementing the traditional Leader's Book?
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I posed this question during my recent NCOPD and it wasnt received how I imagined it would be. A couple chuckles and the obvious "take your pick" statement due to there being so many. Yes there are quite a few, and when it comes to our physical books....they are heavily inconsistent in what we have at our disposal from supply. It's all based on what you as the leader believe you need to track and keep informed of so some prefer a simple book, some a large binder and some a small book kept in a zipped pouch.
When it comes to apps, are there any worth even mentioning? What have you heard of or seen that worked or didnt work? I would imagine by this day and age we would have something that works.
When it comes to apps, are there any worth even mentioning? What have you heard of or seen that worked or didnt work? I would imagine by this day and age we would have something that works.
Squad Leader
Leadership
Leader's Book
Posted 5 y ago
Responses: 12
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I personally like Evernote. I've got an individual Soldier template that I add all pertinent information, conselings, etc. to for historical record. I have those Soldier records grouped in a folder so that everything's in one place, along with individual notes for planning, key events, etc. Nothing OPSEC-related of course, but just enough to skim and keep my head straight before walking into the next meeting.
I've used Google Docs, Dropbox, and a myriad of other solutions to do the same sort of thing. The fact that Evernote is foundationally built on the note, rather than the attachments, means that I can add files where appropriate but otherwise keep content in the format I like.
And don't worry SSG(P) (Join to see), there are those who adapt to their new environments and there are those who complain, struggle, and ultimately attrit. Be the adaptor, lead the way!
I've used Google Docs, Dropbox, and a myriad of other solutions to do the same sort of thing. The fact that Evernote is foundationally built on the note, rather than the attachments, means that I can add files where appropriate but otherwise keep content in the format I like.
And don't worry SSG(P) (Join to see), there are those who adapt to their new environments and there are those who complain, struggle, and ultimately attrit. Be the adaptor, lead the way!
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
Thank you Sir! I've used similar note taking apps in the past but haven't worked too much in recent years. I'll give Evernote another look and eyeball some templates as a guideline.
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TRADOC is developing apps for all sorts of stuff. You can search in your store individually, or you can download the TRADOC App Gateway, or TAG, to find them all in one spot.
I suggest you get with your DTMS manager and ask him to do a pull to create your leaders book spreadsheet. This is because it is actually an Army Directive that BDEs can not force units below BDE level to create trackers if the info is part of DTMS. This is to force units to use DTMS as the Program of Record. DTMS has pretty much everything you need to track as a leader from FRG to POVS and everything in between, they even have an ACFT tab already.
I suggest you get with your DTMS manager and ask him to do a pull to create your leaders book spreadsheet. This is because it is actually an Army Directive that BDEs can not force units below BDE level to create trackers if the info is part of DTMS. This is to force units to use DTMS as the Program of Record. DTMS has pretty much everything you need to track as a leader from FRG to POVS and everything in between, they even have an ACFT tab already.
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MAJ Javier Rivera
DTMS still a thing? I remember it implementation and still have to modify reports (input additional BS data) just to comply with some unhappy senior leadership!
A good with lots of resistance!
A good with lots of resistance!
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LTC (Join to see)
MAJ Javier Rivera - DTMS is not going away unfortunately. It's what we have to work with right now. Yes, it's not user friendly & they've made the New Report feature more confusing than before. But it is what it is....
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Thing the biggest resistance to any apps of short is having Soldiers Data/Info stored on a mobile device. Not saying that there are not apps out there. I would be cautions as I believe it can violate privacy. Fortunately, I have a GOV cell phone that’s is encrypted and can only be accessed by me. So I have an excel version of what I basically need for Soldier data.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
I definitely see the issue in keeping private information, I'm thinking for any courses they may have completed, scores on weapons/APFT and dates of completion, appointment dates for medical readiness, etc. Morr detailed like DOB, address or family information would be left to memory.
I'm working on another version of an excel file I manage for the platoon from NCOERs to vehicle licensing (I'm the Master Driver). I'd like to keep a smaller version just for my squad and Team Leader to view as needed
I'm working on another version of an excel file I manage for the platoon from NCOERs to vehicle licensing (I'm the Master Driver). I'd like to keep a smaller version just for my squad and Team Leader to view as needed
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