Day 1 Platoon Leader stories

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 14:51:47 -0500

I'm about to start my first day as a PL in a couple days. Does anyone have an interesting story about their first day as a Platoon Leader?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 3:04 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 15:04:15 -0500

LT go grab the chemlight batteries and a box of grid squares from supply, then stop by maintenance for an I-D ten T form (ID10T)
Expect some banter and harassment take it with a grain of salt, clearly state your desire to learn from their experience.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 3:40 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 15:40:41 -0500

Yeah. "Hey, LT Kile, you're the XO."

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2015 3:43 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 15:43:36 -0500

My first day as a PL was in Baghdad, Iraq in 2008 - I was a late deployer. I was told to be up and out on the convoy line at 6:00 for PCCs/PCIs.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Nov 5 at 2015 9:18 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Thu, 05 Nov 2015 21:18:35 -0500

CPT Private RallyPoint Member, I see by your profile & pic that you are a Mustang. To this Congratulations. I'll I can say is keep your compass calibrated!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 6 at 2015 12:09 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Nov 2015 00:09:44 -0500

My platoon ran away from me on Day 1. My PSG was gone and I was talking to the CO after first formation and he says "Is that your platoon running away?" Yes yes it was.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2015 8:04 AM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 08:04:30 -0500

My first day was out a range with a rifle that was not mine, and extremely dirty. Got sent out with a few Soldiers and they all shot better than me. I got so much carp that day, but now there is a bond.

Response by SPC William Del Valle made Nov 8 at 2015 8:34 AM

SPC William Del Valle — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 08:34:18 -0500

I would say that you will do just fine! Soldiers like myself have and will always give respect to all officers, that's because you have to; the fact that you was enlisted makes them want to respect you more.

Soldiers (people) will not care what you know until they know you care for them.

I've had many buddies that got promoted to SGT and would thank not only the good NCOs but the bad ones too, because they felt that they are an example of what NOT to do.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Nov 8 at 2015 9:24 AM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 09:24:58 -0500

I have no stories about platoon leadership but my advice to is to listen to your senior enlisted men and women and follow their guidance. They know far more about leadership than you'll know for a long time

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2015 1:01 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 13:01:28 -0500

I had this PL once who got to us as a new 1LT. He had been working in a battalion shop since his arrival in the unit and never had a platoon. His first day was a Monday morning right before PT he gave a brief introduction of himself and what he was about. He then went to the back of the formation quietly and let the PSG take over. From that point on that is how it went. He and our PSG worked closely. He's pass on information timely and appropriately and allowed out PSG to get it done. when he wasn't tied up with plt or company admin type stuff he'd be seen getting dirty with the rest of us joes. He was approachable and attempted to mitigate as much downward flooding fecal waters as possible. We could plainly see this and it wasn't an issue when something came up out of his control.

CPT Private RallyPoint Member to you sir let me say this. The mission is your primary focus. Care for your joes but let your NCOs handle them. Tell your senior NCOs the missions when you get them rather than sitting on info that for no other reason could have been shared. Allow your NCOs to decide how to accomplish this mission but be ready dictate as well. Handle things at the lowest level you can. Firmness, fairness, and consistency is key.

Oh and sir. Don't load down your TA-50 with cool guy gear. Wear what is appropriate for you and your operations. Let your actions define what kind of badass you are, not what you got hanging off your plate carrier.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 8 at 2015 2:03 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 14:03:19 -0500

It was actually my first field problem at Ft Hood. My F#@king platoon took the batteries out of my night vision goggles. Due to the drivers lack of visibility the Tank Commander gives instructions of direction and speed to the driver. The F#@king Tank Commanders were telling me go here, there, everywhere. I was thinking I can't move a 70 ton vehicle without being able to see, and why could I not see through the NVGs. They finally got me lol

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Nov 8 at 2015 2:24 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 14:24:54 -0500

Best of luck, little brother.

Response by SSgt Dwight Deatherage made Nov 8 at 2015 2:38 PM

SSgt Dwight Deatherage — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 14:38:48 -0500

Make a good impression, and take your senior NCOs to lunch and listen to them. They will save your butt often and regularly.