How Do You Step Back When It's Time To Pcs Without Worrying About Your Soldiers After You Go?

If you really do your job as a leader and sincerely care about your personnel, it is natural to always worry about them and their welfare, even after you leave. Of course, the closer you are to them (squad leader versus brigade commander, for example), the more that is true.

I stay in touch with personnel I have served with and genuinely care about them. I still have several members of my platoon, when I was a 2LT, who are now CSMs or retired, whom I correspond with routinely. I also have former ROTC Cadets from my time as an ROTC Instructor at the University of Colorado, when I was a Captain/Major, who are now LTC or COL, who routinely correspond with me. I try to stay in touch with a great many of the soldiers, NCOs and officers I have served with. I enjoy it and still find pride in their accomplishments. I am happy to have them consider me a friend and someone they can go to for advice and support.

My wife used to comment that I looked at "my soldiers" as members of my family, which is true. I think that, to be an effective leader, you need to have that mind-set. Some may disagree with that but, to me, it was, and still is, important.

Great question! Great responses! For me, I learned to create that "turn-over" document for my relief. In some jobs the turn-over is a mandatory event and using that same document is an extremely good method of helping one transition mentally from one position to the next. Not all functions/jobs have a direct replacement - but going through the full motions of conducting a turn-over and writing it down is the best way I've found to transition. Create the "pro" and "con" list; the list of things that need to be done (listed in priority order) for the unit and then a separate one for personnel (again in priority order). List materiel and supply issues for unit and personnel (again separately with priority order). Go through the list of individuals for promotion, discipline, etc. - ignore the fact that the discipline issues basically die when you leave, give your relief all the knowledge of your unit before you leave.

This is a short list of things I've done to make my transition for my relief's and it's worked well for me.....

It's never easy, especially if you have been with "your" Soldiers for a while...but, if you have done your job well, then the group will not miss a beat. It is a part of Army life that eventually you will leave a place where you have had a positive impact and the hardest part is letting go. Keep doing what you do best and "your" Soldier will always make you proud whether you are there or not!!