How do I become a better soldier individually with little to no resources available?

2020-11-23T19:35:01-05:00

I am an 11b NG private and ROTC Cadet. I joined the NG because my ROTC training was terrible and I didn't want to be a shitbag 2LT. I want to be the best infantryman possible and earn my salute. It's hard trying to improve with my unit when I am only there once a month. I PT and am very confident with my physical shape, but I want to improve my knowledge and capabilities so I can prepare on being an infantry officer. I want to go Ranger or SF if all goes right, but I just want to be squared away when I meet my future platoon.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2020 9:27 PM

2020-11-23T21:27:10-05:00

Are you a PVT or a 2LT? Your post says one rank while your profile says another

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Nov 23 at 2020 9:32 PM

2020-11-23T21:32:43-05:00

11Bs in the active Army get a lot of 11B training. ROTC summer excursions will expose you to more training.

Response by LTC Eugene Chu made Nov 23 at 2020 9:52 PM

2020-11-23T21:52:17-05:00

1. Change your rank to cadet if you are not commissioned yet
2. Look at forums about preparing for infantry BOLC; after college graduation, you will still have a few months of additional training as a new 2LT at Fort Benning
3. Learn about other relevant topics along with tactics; you still have to write OPORDs and evaluations, manage property along with other administrative duties besides combat as a commissioned officer

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Nov 23 at 2020 9:54 PM

2020-11-23T21:54:52-05:00

The Army has a good sense of what training and education are needed at each phase of a Soldier’s development. Don’t get too far out over your skis. Learn how to be a good infantryman first. Do all the required training and all of the optional training you can fit in. Two things you should learn a lot about are logistics and communication to be a good officer.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2020 10:00 PM

2020-11-23T22:00:03-05:00

Get in better physical shape even if you think you are in shape. Go to the Fort Benning website and look for IBOLC and Ranger school. There are many items you can study there. Ask for Ranger school. Go to Pathfinder. Listen to your NCOs. Ask for mentorship. If you want SF talk to a SF recruiter and try SFRE. Study a for the EIB.
Also like MAJ Chu mentioned there is a lot more to being an infantry PL than being a widow maker. There are also administrative tasks.
https://www.benning.army.mil/

Response by LTC Mark Beattie made Nov 23 at 2020 10:08 PM

2020-11-23T22:08:42-05:00

Learn to be a good follower, and take charge when placed in any level of leadership. Set an example for all around you including all ranks. Show initiative, volunteer for the tough jobs; don’t be afraid to share ideas, respectfully speak your mind. Being a good leader isn’t difficult and doesn’t require hours of study. It’s doing what you know is right, all the time....take every opportunity to get your hands on any and all weapons you can. Learn to shoot and maintain them....take every opportunity to deploy for field exercises and make every effort to understand the mission and your units plans. Watch your leaders and learn from them....you can even learn from bad leaders, and from every experience. If you don’t , then you’re not trying to learn. Good luck....the key success is built on small things that add up over time. It’s all really pretty simple....most people make things more difficult than it really is.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2020 10:12 PM

2020-11-23T22:12:27-05:00

Read!!! Find books on leadership, historical battles, and business leaders to name a few. How did other leaders become successful? There’s so much more to being a leader then knowing what door to kick in and and stretches to do before running a 5k!

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2020 10:31 PM

2020-11-23T22:31:55-05:00

On your profile, go to the top right corner to edit your profile to change your branch and rank to either NG Private or ROTC Cadet 2LT. You are not a National Guard 2LT.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 23 at 2020 10:51 PM

2020-11-23T22:51:37-05:00

Ask questions of, and learn from, your NCOs. We’ve been doing this a lot longer than your fellow cadets, privates, or 2LTs have, even in the NG. They can teach you tactics, OPORDs, FRAGOs, tactics, etc. your NCOs are your success or failure. Especially as a new LT. Don’t come in to a new platoon like you know everything. We know you don’t. If you can admit you only know how to be a cadet, if you can admit you don’t know, a good NCO will help you be successful. If you’re successful your platoon is successful. You’ll move on, but odds are good your NCOs will be there even when you move on and up and you’ll probably have one of them as your 1SG when you take a command. If you start with a good professional relationship now, he’ll remember it then.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Nov 23 at 2020 10:54 PM

2020-11-23T22:54:06-05:00

ROTC is a set of foundational courses, the hard core 2nd LT training comes after you graduate from college and ROTC. I am still scratching my head on why you thought being a PVT first would make you a better officer......what rank exactly do you think 2nd LT is? It's Private of the Officer Corps. Had you stayed with the ROTC program they would have given you the leadership tools over time that were necessary so you didn't appear to be a shitbag when it was time to take over your platoon.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Nov 24 at 2020 8:00 AM

2020-11-24T08:00:15-05:00

First of all, take it one step at a time. I assume that you survived Infantry OSUT since you are 11B, which puts you way ahead of your peers in ROTC and the non prior service people in IBOLC, most of which will be right out of ROTC and OCS. Are you officially on the Simultaneous Membership Program? If you aren't, I would consider that since it should allow you to see the working of positions higher than you see if you are a private. If you are planning on going to the Active Army, which I assume by the tone, remember that 11A Infantry Officer is a competitive slot, so work on the academics, leadership and community service stuff to score as high as possible. Request Airborne and Ranger School no matter what branch you land. The easiest place to get a Ranger School slot is coming out of IBOLC and, at least in my day, you will be in the best physical shape of your life and ready for it. If you make it that far, then start planning your next career steps.
A couple of realism points. The first SF slot for an Officer requires that you be 1LT promotable, so you have some time. Selection is open to any Branch, so not being Infantry doesn't stop you, but the guys that are used to living in the woods seem to do better anecdotally.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Nov 24 at 2020 9:00 AM

2020-11-24T09:00:44-05:00

Perhaps, just by tune it down a bit. Be humble, do the best with what you have, and learn from each event you experience. Don't go ranting out on your unit not your ROTC program to the rest of the world. Just think for a second, imagine if one of your leaders (at your NG unit or ROTC) notice this post, how do you think it will go for you? You get it? This goes for your professionalism.

Now, you'll see lots of great advise from fellow Officers and NCOs. Listen to their advise.

Response by SGT Patrick Reno made Nov 24 at 2020 9:21 AM

2020-11-24T09:21:01-05:00

Knowing you don't want to be a shit bag is the biggest part of the battle. Anything you learn will help. Don't stand above your men, stand with them. Always be willing to do anything you ask them to do. Encourage your men, don't belittle them. You don't have to be the greatest officer, you just want to be the most respected. You want to be the officer that men will follow even if they know your not right all the time.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2020 9:55 AM

2020-11-24T09:55:36-05:00

Do you want to be good as a general Soldier, or as an Infantryman? Because there are different resources for both.

As a Soldier: brush up on all of your 10-level tasks (all the things you learned in BCT). Read, study and practice all of the Warrior Skills and Tasks in your Warrior Skill Level 1 book (Warrior Handbook) that you got in OSUT. If you dont have it anymore, I recommend buying a new one. Then study the manual on Customs and Courtesies (AR 600-25) and it probably wouldnt hurt to brush up on AR 600-20. Then finally, get copies of your unit policy letters and learn them inside and out. Adhere to all of this, and you will shine as an example of what a general soldier should BE, capable of surviving outside of your job field.

As an Infantryman. Train. Study. Train. Study. Train again. Ruck, run, shoot, navigate, study your Doctrine. Commit our Bible to memory (ATP 3-21.8). Learn how to be an Infantryman; from your basic rifleman, to your squad leader. Learn your job, then that of the man above you. Then that of his boss. Until you know the job of the man 3 levels above you. Once you KNOW the job, then you train it, drill it, practice it, and execute it as often as you can until you're the example of how to perform as a Grunt at the highest volume.

Finally, once you've learned, studied and made yourself proficient, then execute the job while at drill, and show your command that you can be relied upon to DO anything you're tasked with doing.

Also, as a side note, if you're still a cadet, but a Guard Private, then your rank is Private, not 2LT. So fix that when you can, if you wouldnt mind. My rank still reads as SPC, even though I'm out of the Army (except IRR), but I am a college cadet.

Look for the 3 words written in all caps. Find out what they mean, as it pertains to this topic, and learn how to apply them. A cursory search will put you on the right path.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 24 at 2020 12:04 PM

2020-11-24T12:04:38-05:00

What do you consider “little to no resources”? Knowledge is power. Read consistently. There are plenty of publications that will assist you in your endeavor to grow as a leader/soldier. I mean the Ranger Handbook is the literal infantry bible. While a singular book may not seem like a large resource - I promise you it is and I learn something new in it every day.

If you are an SMP cadet, stay glued to your PSG and your PL. Do not be afraid to ask questions. If you think your question is stupid, remember that you’re a cadet and they are likely expecting that. Better then than post commission.

If you think you’re fit - that’s great. Don’t settle and don’t get comfortable. Push yourself every day. In a position of leadership, no one will do it for you.

You should change your rank on this site. Claiming a commission before it’s actually happened and then positing on a forum like this might turn heads that you don’t want turned.

Response by LTC Wayne Brandon made Nov 24 at 2020 12:13 PM

2020-11-24T12:13:37-05:00

Pvt Keanu R ~
You have received some great guidance in response to your inquiry and I want to add to those who espoused reading and studying because you cannot do it enough.
Leadership is more about what is between your ears and in your heart than whether or not you will max the APFT.
You want to be able to lead competently and confidently, but unless you are well studied and well versed in your craft, your soldiers will not want to follow you. They will also know if you don't have their best interest or that of the unit, at heart.
I recommend the following books to help you prepare for the realities of leader success and failure and each of these books will help you in that regard. Read them in this order:
Killer Angels - Michael Shaara (A leadership study)
Mud Soldiers - Charles W. Wilson (Why soldiers don't reenlist)
Common Sense Training - LTG Arthur S. Collins, Jr. (Practical and innovative performance-oriented Ideas)
The Making of a Soldier - LTC Anthony Herbert
About Face - Col. David Hackworth
Escape From the Box: The Wonder of Human Potential - LTC Edward Hubbard
These books are a good, quick read but there is much to be gained from them if excellence in leadership is your goal. Understand that while the Army continually changes, the only thing that really changes is technology and the Army's use of it. The needs of the soldier and Army politics are the same as they were in the beginning.
Finally, secure and study (not just read) every tactical manual published about your branch, and immediately upon assuming your first assignment, identify the best First Lieutenant you can find and study what makes them successful, steal what you can, and make it your own.
Someone else mentioned in their response to you, to "trust your NCOs" and that is some of the best advice you will get today. Watch them, listen to them, invite their input regarding unit issues and other important matters because every decision you make will affect the soldier in one way or another.
Above all, respect them for what they bring and mean to the unit.
You don't know it all and like the rest of us, never will. So, utilize all competent resources at your disposal.
All the best to you.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 25 at 2020 12:39 PM

2020-11-25T12:39:05-05:00

ROTC can be really good at getting you familiar with the fundamentals of infantry tactics, but what you don't get is a good handle on the day to day of being a PL. At drill, shadow your PL as much as possible and ask questions whenever you don't understand. Ask for tasks when you're not busy, especially ones that challenge you. If you show you're willing to learn, your leaders will want to mentor you.

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made Nov 25 at 2020 7:16 PM

2020-11-25T19:16:20-05:00

There is plenty of good advice in this string from some really good, qualified people. I can't add to it. I only wish to say I admire your desire to be the best you can be. Maintain that attitude throughout life and everyone will benefit from their experiences with you

Response by CPT Brad Wilson made Nov 26 at 2020 3:00 AM

2020-11-26T03:00:52-05:00

In addition to being fit and tactically proficient learn history. Gen Patton studied history and knew what had worked and not worked for the Romans and others who fought on the same ground he fought on in North Africa and Sicily. LTC Moore knew he could leave his rear mostly unprotected at the Battle of Ia Drang because in his study of the battles between the Viet Minh and the French they rarely circled to the rear Study leadership I suggest you start with Band of Brothers. Look at the difference between the two commanders Since we all swear an oath to support and defend the Constitution read it

Response by 1LT Christopher Gonzales made Nov 27 at 2020 10:02 AM

2020-11-27T10:02:41-05:00

Truth of the matter: start reading.

The best infantry officers I know are some of the most well-read and informed people. They are physically fit and mentally sharp. They can talk about their physical fitness plans as easily as they can review Nagl’s principles of asymmetrical warfare.

That’s my advice. If you aren’t reading, you’re going to be behind and learning the stuff you could know now in the moment when that knowledge could be crucial.

Response by MSgt Mike (Lobo VNV Original) Morrow made Jan 18 at 2021 8:07 PM

2021-01-18T20:07:52-05:00

Get your commission, then listen to your senior NCO's