How do I best prepare for an assignment as a First Sergeant? What is your best advice?

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 26 Oct 2019 20:30:44 -0400

Response by 1SG Bill Farmerie made Oct 27 at 2019 7:19 AM

1SG Bill Farmerie — Sun, 27 Oct 2019 07:19:40 -0400

When you arrive, let the unit know your expectaions. Then sit back and observe to see how things work there before you try and change anything. When I went in, just initial observations, my unit had a few overweight (one officer and some NCOs ) so I used that as one of my topics when I spoke to the unit, and informed them that in 2 months we would do 100% weigh in and tape, and let them know no matter the rank they would be placed on the OW program if found not to be IAW standards. I placed one LT, one SSG, 2 SGTS and about 6 ems on the OW program.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Oct 27 at 2019 9:59 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sun, 27 Oct 2019 09:59:11 -0400

Man, just be yourself- don't assume airs, remember to balance between being the Co's hatchet man/eyes and ears and the mentors for your younger NCO's. Hold off to make empire changes till you see the lay of the land for yourself. In essence you are just going from 40 to 120+ folks.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Oct 27 at 2019 11:28 AM

MSG Danny Mathers — Sun, 27 Oct 2019 11:28:08 -0400

You got to be kidding me. An E-7 doesn't know what a 1SG does. You run a company under the guidance of your commander, simply put.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Oct 27 at 2019 12:29 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Sun, 27 Oct 2019 12:29:53 -0400

1) Start learning college writing if you haven't already.
2) Learn how to properly complete the Unit Commanders Financial Report
3) learn how to use both the Commanders Portal and MEDPRO's.
4) Learn how to use DTMS if you dont know already.
5) Learn TAMIS if you dont already
6) Reread AR 670-1
7) Reread your local Blue Book if one exists
8) Read the official guides to counseling again. Once you've done that, do it again.
9) reread AR 600-8-22.
10) Reread the APRT FM, and familiarize yourself with the latest on the ACFT
11) Take courses on Word, PowerPoint and Excel if you haven't already.
12) Reread AR 600-20.
13) Make friends with your legal advisors
14) make friends with your local IG.
15) Make friends with the chaplain
16) make friends with ACS and the Red Cross. They can help our Soldiers a LOT.
17) make friends with the XO's, both Company and BN. One will rely on you for guidance, the other is a great ally to have in your corner.
18) know how to do monthly AAA reports correctly.
19) know your METL and its associated tasks and sub tasks. This should be the lynchpin of your training plan
Finally...
20) Some friendly advice from someone who just did it for two years. This is the same advice that was given to me, and that I passed on to my relief..
There will be days where you feel like you're drowning. There will be days where you feel like you're failing at everything. This is perfectly normal. You likely aren't failing. You CAN breathe, and you CAN do this. I can't tell you how many nights my Commmander and I worked till 21, 2200, or how many times we shut the door and shared a mutual emotional breakdown, put ourselves back together, and went out to get back at it. There will never be enough hours in the day. You will never accomplish every single task. There will always be more tasks and more missions. Today's #1 priority is often tomorrows forgotten task while pursuing the NEW #1 priority.
You are the eye at the center of the hurricane. This is controlled chaos. Enjoy it, because it will be over before you know it, and you'll miss it.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Oct 28 at 2019 11:33 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Mon, 28 Oct 2019 11:33:53 -0400

I’ll weigh in as having billets with 1SGT equivalents and as Skipper with CSM (CMC for me). What’s missing is getting an early read on how the Capital C Command Skipper and the CSM run things. Get in early with the CSM. There will be senior NCO coffee clutches. Go to them. Good CSM types will introduce you around quickly. You’ll get filled in on what the Skipper’s hot and cold buttons are. That way you can help keep your CC on a good track. You have a tremendous load taking care of your people. A good CC will unleash you to do what great NCOs do best. Also, part of your job is to make the overall command run well. Keep an eye out with the other sections (companies, S-1, etc.). Help them do well. Become “known” in the good way. You’ll be extremely visible to the big Skipper and the CSM. They both will assess your effectiveness and potential for future CSM. It’s a real bottleneck moving up at this stage. Just focus on your job, your people, and the overall health of the Command. It’s easy to sort real doers from the rank chasers. The later didn’t last long in my Commands.

Response by 1SG Augie Munoz made Nov 1 at 2019 5:16 AM

1SG Augie Munoz — Fri, 01 Nov 2019 05:16:04 -0400

I had two companies, and the success of your run will be based on your professional relationship between you and your commander. The both of you must talk with one voice and have candid conversations away from your Soldiers. Division of labor must be clearly understood, and the two of you should be able to learn from one another with he or she teaching you the art of command and you being the senior enlisted advisor.

Have a mentor either from your Internal network or external. I maintained relationships with those who I highly respected that were successful as a senior enlisted advisor or commissioned officer, and had some who were corporate executives that had no prior military experience. You would be surprised how quickly you will develop into the role.

With all this being said, to best prepare is to visualize how you will establish these types of relationships and start cultivating your mentorship channels now. Command is a privilege and those you lead depend on you. Be fair and care for everyone in your unit to include your commander and yourself. Know behind the uniform is a human being; never forget no matter how bad a Soldier someone might be, there is a child who sees them as doing no wrong. Your leadership can change lives, and balancing these relationships are critical to your success.

Last tip, everything you do must be in line with AR 600-20. READ IT NOW and embrace it. The Army needs leaders who are loyal to the rules and regulations that will do the right thing always. Take a short cut and you might lose this privilege, your career, or hurt someone else’s career.

Best wishes

Response by 1SG John V. made Nov 13 at 2019 3:23 PM

1SG John V. — Wed, 13 Nov 2019 15:23:02 -0500

Don’t forget where you came from.
Your first priority is taking care of Soldiers.

Response by 1SG Mark Koberstein made Nov 20 at 2019 10:41 AM

1SG Mark Koberstein — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 10:41:07 -0500

Lead by example. Trust your platoon sergeants, but hold them accountable. Know at least two things about each soldier. They’ll think you know them personally and will work hard to keep your trust. Treat problem troops as a challenge and not a burden. Appear to never sleep. Scares the crap out of everyone!

Response by 1SG Michael Ardizone made Nov 20 at 2019 4:28 PM

1SG Michael Ardizone — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 16:28:58 -0500

The best advice i can give is the following.
Gather all your NCOs together and let them know your leadership style.
Put out what you look for and what pet peeves are.
Get to know your NCOs strong points and weak points. Always Encourage every soldier in your unit never Belittle. Always put your Soldiers first and make sure your always out front in everything set the example......

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 21 at 2019 9:41 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Nov 2019 09:41:42 -0500

I will tell you as a Scout 1SG, being in the line is easy. The HHT 1SG is a different animal. As a line 1SG, manage your PSGs and be that sounding board for the CO. Your lower level NCOs are where you make your money, but ensure you let your PSGs manage them. Don't let LTs push you around, just be respectful. Remember, you are a 1SG. That means something. Don'e take no crap, but you also have to be the voice of reason more times than not. It's a new world out there. This is honestly one of the best jobs I have ever had, even being in HHT. Good luck to you. You will do great.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2020 4:38 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 16:38:00 -0500

Outside of learning a myriad of web accessible systems for admin, logistics, training and Unit specific, talk with your Commander. Open up and get personal while maintaining a professional separation. Try to see if you balance each other or not. You don’t want Fire & Fire or Ice & Ice. Research Officer Enlisted relationship and the newly published NCO Guide for in depth detail. Ask about his former NCO relationships and the characteristics of those he admired. Remember you are translating his intent to the troops and ensuring they understand where the ship is going, so to speak. We lead from the rear and push the stragglers if needed. Ultimately you are responsible for everything but in charge of nothing. Keep a solid up to date leader book and remember your soldiers issues and their wife’s/children’s names, issues, grade level etc...

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2020 3:14 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 03:14:20 -0400

Good luck. The diamond gets heavy. Your unit should have information on policies and procedures. Mentor your SFCs. Make sure you get your PLs up to speed They don’t know what they don’t know. No double standards for anyone. Be hard but fair.