Best Advice to Give an Incoming LT

Ma'am work as one with your NCO's and you will never fail and they will have your back they will be your guide to the missions that you are assign

As a 2LT you will learn your craft and tactical operations. As a 1LT you will see a bigger picture of the Army. As a CPT what you have learned and how you want to be will culminate.

Watch, ask, listen to your NCOs.

A good idea that I got from my last BDE CSM, "Do not expect what you do not inspect", trust but verify.

I am late... and your are likely a Captain now 2LT (Join to see) but this is one of my favorite topics.

Know what your Leadership mission is, your task and purpose, and your Commander's intent.

1. No matter what anyone tells you, remember you alone (commissioned officers) are responsible. If that does not make sense... Google command responsibility and see what comes up... (All will be scenarios where things went horribly wrong and what officer was held accountable.

2. LIVE, LIVE, LIVE, Army Values. It does not matter if you know them, speak them, you have to live them. Soldiers pay attention to what you do, more than what you say.

3. Listen more than you talk, and Be a Sponge. Learn as much as you can, non-stop about everything you can about your new profession and career field. You can never know too much. Your NCOs and Soldiers are great place to learn.

4. Know the Standard. Before your do anything, make sure you know the standard you are training for, have to check, have to comply with etc.

5. Do your best at every task.... It does not matter how small, always do your best.

6. Lead by example in all areas... Can you max the APFT? Are you an expert with your weapons?

7. Be an expert on Army Systems... OPORDS, Troop Leading Procedures, PCIs, PCCs, etc... all of these paradigms have stood the test of time, and will serve you well.

8. Be humble. Don't be too full of yourself. You can be replaced.

9. Focus on your Soldiers and what you have control of, not your boss. If you are good, your actions will speak for themselves.

10. Check, check, and check again. You can never check too much.

11. Trust your NCOs, know your role and theirs, and let them do what they do... Run the Army. You both have a role, the key is understanding it, and where the left and right limits are. But, never forget who is responsible.

12. Have fun, and model a balanced life style.

So LT Shelton, how goes it?

Have confidence in how you have been trained. "The book" has gotten a bad rap. If one does exactly how he or she was trained, you'll be right about 90% of the time, and that is exceptional for a young officer. If you try to find a local standard, you'll be racing toward the lowest possible acceptable solution, and one that is not constant.

Your NCOs are there to help teach you the Army in practice. Listen, and when they are wrong- tell them, but when they are right have the courage to get behind them.

Don't be afraid to get your hands dirty. Learn how to do your soldier's jobs the way they have to do them. Do it once, and let them see you do it. Then you have the ability to say "I've done that, I understand." It gives you credibility. Help set up a TOC one time. Help PMCS the vehicles one time, etc. Part of the reason that enlisted soldiers tend to prefer officers who are prior enlisted is because they've been in the same foxhole, done the same duty and so forth. Doesn't mean you're out there every time - you're still the PLT LDR.

You've gotten a lot of great advice here, and kudos to your for having the presence of mind to ask for it. Humility is a great attribute. Apart from that? Follow everything CPT (Join to see) mentioned in her post.

For God's sake, remember to salute 1LTs or CPT (Join to see) will eat you for breakfast!!! LOL!

Realize that you are nothing more than a private with rank. Act accordingly.