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

Get a labotomy.

Be, Know, Do.

I would like to address this from the cheap seats. Everyone is talking about knowing your PSGs and senior enlisted. The fact remains that your bread and butter are the soldiers standing in your formation. Never forget that in addition to being the “Top” NCO and enforcer you should also be their chief advocate. If your Senior NCOs are willing to go to bat for them you should be willing to as well. You should be willing to fight as hard for an award or school for a soldier as you would for a chapter or NJP. Spend more time where your soldiers work than you do behind your desk.

I like the rule of three. Meaning if there's more than three steps to a process, more than three things to put out at formation, more than three anything - two of them will be forgotten and the other three will be done half assed because everyone is stressing out trying to remember what the other two are. Everything the unit does should support SHOOT-MOVE-COMMUNICATE (did you notice the three there). Where your job is hard is associating all the BS to those three.

That is a tough one. I was assigned as a 1SG when I was an E-7. Just remember to be impartial and get all the facts before making a decision when it comes to listening to lower ranking enlisted rumors. Never assume anything.

Soldier Care. That's it.

MSG, first congratulations on this next step in your career. In my humble opinion, never ever argue with the CDR in front of anyone no matter what! It causes confusion and is just not good business. I've seen it happen and it's just ugly. If you disagree, do it respectfully and take big issues behind closed doors. Next, from a PL's perspective, get to know the PL's and look to work with them but at the same time, take time to offer some mentorship (Although we're officers, we're junior officers and need solid mentoring from good NCO's) without being overbearing. Finally, seek to be one of the top people in the unit when it comes to PT. It goes a long way with the soldiers.

The best thing you can do is be a good listener. keep in mind, mission comes first but the soldier/airmen/marine/sailor must be properly trained and equipped to do the job. If a military member is not emotionally/physically fit to fight, you gotta let them know. Sometimes you gotta call the baby ugly...... It always helps discussing things with other Tops. I usually did and it really helps.

Some good advise for CSM(P) (Join to see)

MSG, I know you out rank me, but between Active and Reserves, I have 29 years of service. I have learned a few things that might help you. First when you start your new position, you should be hard core, strict and firm. Then back off as time passes. This way your subordinates know you can be a hard ass and will listen when you have to lock them up. If you come in soft, most subordinates laugh when you try to get lock them up. Next sit back some and watch to see which NCO's the soldiers go to for advice and guidance. These are your strong NCO's and ones that I would look for when you need to know something. I would also have a meeting with each level (PSG, SSG, SGT and lower enlisted) and find out what is broke in the unit, but inform the before hand that you don't want complaints, but they should also come with suggestions of how the unit can fix them. Also if you should be making rounds of area's where your soldiers are working on a detail or in the motor pool, pick up a wrench or do something to show the soldiers that your not afraid to get your hands dirty to help once in a while. When you talk to one of your soldiers, listen to them don't just let it go in one ear and out of the other. Just remember that not all PSG's are right all of the time. Check up to ensure that the info you pass out in your PSG meeting are getting to the lowest level. I hope some of this helps you. If you should want to contact me my email is [login to see]

It helps to have lotts of common sense. In ARs does not covered common sense.