I’m taking a Platoon in a couple days and signing for a Stryker Plt’s worth of equipment. What advice, do’s and don’ts does everyone have?

CPT (Join to see) Focus on your unit - your team. It is not about you. Make sure you understand and live Responsibility and Accountability. Know, Model and Live Army Values. Be a professional, be an expert, and be a sponge (learn all you can). Be a servant leader. Lead by example, focussing on excellence always. After you do your 100% physical inventory, and then once you sign for everything, make sure you immediately sub hand receipt it directly to the user (Vehicle Commanders); In God we Trust all other sign a DA form 2062. Don't worry about your OER(s). If you are doing what is right, and doing it right, OERs take care of themselves. Have a sense of humor. Enjoy the ride. PL and CO CDR are the best jobs in the Army; they don't last long...

What these guys say is absolutely the way to go. You can't put your hands on it, don't count it. Then hand receipt it down.
Remember that the Army has a deep pockets policy and Survey's seem to always implicate the command.
On the Guard side of things, I got hit with a survey on a Full Timer that I had tried to fire twice for missing command inventories. Don't think that it will be fair.

Just to add to the already great comments - just because it is on a shortage annex...does not mean it is on order. Ensure there is a document number for each item on the shortage annex. See all like items at the same time - this prevents “borrowing” the same item from another vehicle / section.

Do a 100% layout. It might take all day or two days, but at least you've put eyes on everything your signing for. They told us the story back in the day about an Artillery Company commander, who didn't do a 100% layout & he signed for everything. When his tour was up- the next CPT wanted too see everything. They were missing some medical kits or other equipment that couldn't be found. After not finding anything- he had a $30K statement of charges & bad OER & got out of the Army.

Then, like 10 years later that same unit was clearing out of some barracks & found those med kits or whatever equipment it was. I think the guy probably got his money back eventually, but his career was over.

If it's not there- say so on the inventory before you sign. The Supply Sergeant can adjust for things that are missing or damaged. It's your career!

Get to know your senior NCO and follow his lead until you really learn what you are supposed to do and how to be a good leader. The butter bar does not make you a leader but learning from an experienced leader will really help ;you.

When I got to Nam our company had a Cpt. CO, and on a different compound there was a LT. The only officers so NCO's had to sign for their departments. I had the MAR's Station as a extra duty. Going through it I found I was signing for a Collins radio that no one knew where it was. Was told to go ahead and sign, we would find it later. I was only a Buck Sgt but not that stupid.

Inventory as if it was your own gear, because once you sign for it you own it in terms of accountability. Make sure that anything other than a major end item - truck, tank, generator etc. - is laid out to verify contents. If not you might have just signed for an empty steel box. SL-3 gear (road gear, anything that comes with an end item) should be laid out. Best to give the current RO a heads up and lead time, so they aren't hunting for stuff. Just check each one off, once you verify it. It can change time spent to a few hours rather than a few days, depending on equipment density in account. Ensure Supply is present, besides current owner and you. If you delegate inventory to someone be careful. You can delegate authority but not responsibility.

Inventory EVERYTHING in the Property Book. Do not get in a rush. Take your time Verify Everything you Sign for is there. Then Subhand receipt the items to each Squad Leader or each member of the platoon items they are responsible for. If anything is out for Maintenance verify the Maitainence paperwork If possible go where the item is and lay eyes on it. As you inventory, any unserviceable items are discovered ensure the repair or replacement paperwork is done by the previous "owner" before you sign for that item. Do not become suddenly responsible for broken or unserviceable equipment.

As a former 92A (original 76C), make sure any equipment that is tracked by ULLS has all deficiencies noted and parts on order, maintenance has been performed according to schedule. And as stated above verify everything by serial number and make sure quantity is correct.

VERIFY EVERYTHING, TO INCLUDE EQUIP IN FOR MAINT / REPAIR