Posted on May 13, 2015
First Unit Station, what do you expect? or, Was it what you expected?
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I'm trying to get the Junior Enlisted more involved here so they can take as much advantage of this site here as I do. Also for the leadership to be able to give advice without the need of calling their PLT SGT, I know you are reading this.
My AIT was awful, to the extent that I rather having two more BCTs instead of another AIT, that being said, my expectation toward my First Unit were really low. I thought it was going to be just another level of hell. To my surprise, I got the BEST, and when I say BEST I mean it, OIC/NCOIC Team you could ever dream of. A Command Team that Shows Leadership while being fair. In the other hand, I have friends from AIT that called me as soon as 1 month after our graduation and told me, Camacho! I'm doing these 3 years and I'm done! I can't stand this unit!
Now that you just graduated from AIT or are about to, What do you expect from your First Unit Station? Or Was it what you expected? NCOs, what do you expect from your "brand new Private"?
My AIT was awful, to the extent that I rather having two more BCTs instead of another AIT, that being said, my expectation toward my First Unit were really low. I thought it was going to be just another level of hell. To my surprise, I got the BEST, and when I say BEST I mean it, OIC/NCOIC Team you could ever dream of. A Command Team that Shows Leadership while being fair. In the other hand, I have friends from AIT that called me as soon as 1 month after our graduation and told me, Camacho! I'm doing these 3 years and I'm done! I can't stand this unit!
Now that you just graduated from AIT or are about to, What do you expect from your First Unit Station? Or Was it what you expected? NCOs, what do you expect from your "brand new Private"?
Duty Stations
Leadership
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Advice
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 9
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BCT had its ups and downs ,AIT was simple I was a SQL then a PG ,it gave me alot more responsibilities and respect for my PLT SGT and how she had to manage and deal with ,everyone's emotions and personal problems she is/was a great leader!
My first duty station is cool,I never realized how much ARMY Reservist have to do and what work from the ARMY can find its way into your civilian life,since I've been in my unit everyone shows me a lot of love while helping me better myself for future task. Recently I was just put on AD orders with my unit and I can't wait to get to it!
My first duty station is cool,I never realized how much ARMY Reservist have to do and what work from the ARMY can find its way into your civilian life,since I've been in my unit everyone shows me a lot of love while helping me better myself for future task. Recently I was just put on AD orders with my unit and I can't wait to get to it!
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
SGT (Join to see) thanks for sharing! I'm glad you're doing good there #keepitup
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1) Read "Message to Garcia." Takes about 15 minutes, an hour if you're slow. It's a great essay, and the concepts still hold true.
2) Use your peer network. Don't be afraid to ask questions, especially during training time. There's a time for instant obedience to orders (see Message to Garcia), and there's a time for clarifying Intent. The Junior ranks are where you learn that. Your peers are a great resource, especially for "What does G.Z.D. mean? or I don't know that acronym."
3) Write things down. For God's sake. WRITE THINGS DOWN. I don't know a single NCO or Officer who will give you a hard time if you are writing down your directions. It is better to write them down and remember them all, than miss something.
4) If you think you need more time, ask, before you are late. When you realize you can't complete something in the amount of time assigned, bring it up then. Things happen. We get that. If I give you a task and an hour to do it, and you realize 20 minutes in, you need 90 minutes... come find me at 20 minutes. I'll adjust the timeline, or get your more help.
5) If it looks unsafe. Stop. Bring it up. We don't want to lose troops in training. I can't stress this enough. Don't take shortcuts. Bad things happen. We don't need to add to that through negligence.
2) Use your peer network. Don't be afraid to ask questions, especially during training time. There's a time for instant obedience to orders (see Message to Garcia), and there's a time for clarifying Intent. The Junior ranks are where you learn that. Your peers are a great resource, especially for "What does G.Z.D. mean? or I don't know that acronym."
3) Write things down. For God's sake. WRITE THINGS DOWN. I don't know a single NCO or Officer who will give you a hard time if you are writing down your directions. It is better to write them down and remember them all, than miss something.
4) If you think you need more time, ask, before you are late. When you realize you can't complete something in the amount of time assigned, bring it up then. Things happen. We get that. If I give you a task and an hour to do it, and you realize 20 minutes in, you need 90 minutes... come find me at 20 minutes. I'll adjust the timeline, or get your more help.
5) If it looks unsafe. Stop. Bring it up. We don't want to lose troops in training. I can't stress this enough. Don't take shortcuts. Bad things happen. We don't need to add to that through negligence.
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SSG Christopher Parrish
I personally believe, and have told my troops and employees in my civilian job, that if you aren't at least prepared to write things down you've already told the speaker that you have decided they have nothing important to say.
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My first was Fort Campbell KY. I loved the 101st and in your career you will inevitably have some poor leaders. I learned that if you do these few things you can go pretty far:
1. Be in the right place, at the right time, in the right uniform!
2. Know your job as well at the NCO above you.
3. Shine your boots like you want a day off. (Ok we don't shine them anymore, but the point stands...Look your best, be your best, and people notice.)
4. Always volunteer for everything. (Ok sounds like bad advice but hear me out. You will learn more and do more than other peers. You also will get to the point where your NCO will stop picking you for a long time!)
5. When you get rank don't set on your but, get out there an meet people in your all your S shops. Become friends with Supply, commo, Cooks, maintenance, etc. These people will make your life alot better.
Hope this helped!
1. Be in the right place, at the right time, in the right uniform!
2. Know your job as well at the NCO above you.
3. Shine your boots like you want a day off. (Ok we don't shine them anymore, but the point stands...Look your best, be your best, and people notice.)
4. Always volunteer for everything. (Ok sounds like bad advice but hear me out. You will learn more and do more than other peers. You also will get to the point where your NCO will stop picking you for a long time!)
5. When you get rank don't set on your but, get out there an meet people in your all your S shops. Become friends with Supply, commo, Cooks, maintenance, etc. These people will make your life alot better.
Hope this helped!
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Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS
Spot on.
4. "What do you need done?" is a great phrase in any troops vocabulary.
5. Knowing where to find the information is often better than knowing how to do it.
4. "What do you need done?" is a great phrase in any troops vocabulary.
5. Knowing where to find the information is often better than knowing how to do it.
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