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

Congratulations on the appointment of Company First Sergeant! While I don't really have any advice to give to you, I can share what a 1SG once said to me.

He said as a First Sergeant he is only as good as his newest NCO and that he is therefore charged to not only the best voice of guidance to the commander but the best mentor and leader he can be to ensure he's success.

I guess at the end of it all, what I'm trying to say is that all of us are only as good as those around us and while we might do a great job with our primary roles, the secondary roles can be just as if not more important.

You have to be in tune with your Commander. If you're going one way and the Commander is going another then you will not be effective. Set a list of things that you want to get accomplished, i.e.. awards in a timely fashion, evaluations on time, recognize a Soldier of the Month or Quarter, etc. These are things that can help, but you need to know want to get out of it professionally. All units will have a mission, train for that mission with incremental steps that are increasingly more difficult. If you can accept failure from your subordinates in a way that helps them learn from their mistakes then you will be successful by building trust, confidence and overall experience.

I have only recently discovered RallyPoint and I see this was posted almost a year ago. You will have already discovered that you have to love soldiers and love soldiering. Don't become a First Sergeant to "Check the Block". I also found that even after 6 later years as a CSM at Battalion and Brigade levels, my favorite "job" was First Sergeant, but wouldn't have been able to stay as long as I did (29 years) if I hadn't gotten promoted.

My 2 cents as a guy who had a line and a HHC: Be better than competent in CAS/MEDEVAC & LOGPAC. Lead by example: wherever your soldiers are you should be (when possible). Build strong NCOs: do this by having a relevant NCODP at the company level. Gather info through conversations, events to determine weak points in your NCOs and work to improve them. Hold your NCOs accountable regardless of rank. Allow your PSGs to run their platoons while you guide and shape them and their PLs. Avoid micromanaging your people, if you set clear guidance and expectations there should not be a need to. Establish a clear line of communication with your XO and CDR. You are the voice of the enlisted soldiers in your unit, represent them in your commander's decisions but also do your best to make your commander successful. Get NCOs in place to run some of the more demanding programs that IG will inspect (typically weight control is the hardest one to keep up with, depends on the OPTEMPO of the unit). Remember that all eyes are on you to lead.

I'll close with I cared about my people, I tried to learn who they were and what they were about. Emulate the traits you saw in good leaders and be the 1SG you wanted when you were in their shoes. Being a 1SG was my last opportunity to build, influence and interact with soldiers at a personal level. Embrace and enjoy it, despite the stress of the job I really miss it.

First off congratulations on earning that assignment and I'll be short and to the point.
1. Keep your Commander grounded, foster a genuine relationship, always be united unless behind closed doors.
2. Know your Unit, its Equipment, and its capability. Go to the field and evaluate, chose your KCT's based off your mission and train.
3. Be around your Soldiers as much as possible, if they are cutting grass, I'm out cutting grass, if they are washing vehicles, I'm washing vehicles. I never put myself above any work I ask them to do.
4. If you promise something to the company, deliver. They only way you build trust is by following through with your promises.
5. Make it fun, you will eat the shit sandwich, the company will look to you on how to respond, acknowledge the shit sandwich and let them watch you take the second bite with a smile on your face.
6. Look out for everyones needs to include the officers, mentor the PLs from an NCO point of view as much as possible.
7. Trust your Platoon Leadership! Listen to them.
8. MENTOR MENTOR MENTOR your Squad Leaders, they will make or break you. When I see any NCO in my CP they know automatically they are coming in the office for a chat and mentorship.
9. The most important thing I can say as that it is long hours, and you are going to deal with things that will make you want to slam your head in a wall, but you really have to sit back and enjoy your Command Experience, it is most likely the last time you will push troops so enjoy the Company and its Soldiers.

Good luck!

When I accepted an appointment as First Sergeant, my CSM asked me if I knew what the number one responsibility of a First Sergeant is. I answered, accountability. He said yes, and accountability means, if a cockroach dies in the hallway, its your fault.

Their your sons--including the officers---Think of them in that capacity----What would you do for your son.

My last activity duty 1SG was an unexpected blessing. He came from a sister unit that was "different" and we were concerned with whether he would understand our mission sufficiently. He had high standards for his NCOs regarding supervision and knowledge of the troops. If a soldier was recommended for an Article 15, he wanted to see the counseling records and the corrective actions that had been attempted. Generally speaking, he would not proceed with taking the case to the CO unless the NCO had taken the appropriate steps to correct the problem. He set high standards for us, then supported us.

Have Lunch with the out going NCO. Pick his Brain. Have sit down with CSM and get his vision.
1. Don't use this info to judge use it as a platform.
2. Have a sit down with each Plt Sgt individually. Get a base line.
3. Take a look at your motor pool ALONE over the weekend. It will give you a base line on discipline and attention to detail. My first unit I used some shoe tags and gave away 5 3 day passes if they were found and turned in that week. Use your judgment from there.
4. Have a meeting with each plt and find out there problems.
5. Get em to the field and evaluate the out come and shortages
Note. Your PAC and Supply folks are your support. If they are weak you will have problems.

What can I say 1st Sgt it's a1st Sgt know your Marines because eventually they will take care of you back in the rear or in country but if you care about your Marines 1st Sgt we will have your back 100%