Is a Pre SCCC 1LT taking command of a Brigade Signal Company a bad idea?

2020-12-29T15:52:33-05:00

Hey RP Community,
My BN Commander is looking at me to take command of a Brigade Signal Company. However, I have not completed Signal Captains Career Course (SCCC) nor Pre-Command Course(PCC). I transitioned from the said Company as the XO to the BDE S6 shop in an O-3 slot so I can promote to CPT once my promotion board convenes in the spring(2021). My hesitation/concern for taking command is that I do not have any staff experience(until recently) and do not know all the staff roles/responsibilities and how to leverage those positions to support the company mission and its Soldiers. In general, I feel like taking command with limited experience as a Junior Officer would probably be similar to that of a dumpster fire.

I am chewing on this a bit and currently leaning towards not taking command, at least until I complete my time in the BDE S6 and graduate from SCCC. I think then I would reconsider, having a better understanding of Staff roles and how I can use them effetely to facilitate the BDE Signal Company mission and METL tasks.

I would really appreciate everyone input in the matter. Thank you!

- Rob

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2020 5:17 PM

2020-12-29T17:17:07-05:00

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Dec 29 at 2020 5:31 PM

2020-12-29T17:31:25-05:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member Couple questions:
- Can you inventory and account for property?
- Do you understand the basic S-Shop functions (ie personnel stuff goes to S1, security and intel goes to S2 etc)?
- Do you understand the mission and METL tasks of the BDE Signal Company?
- Can you read, understand, and adapt an operations order to your formation?
- Do you think you can issue orders and directives to lead a Company?
- Can you delegate?

If the answer to all of these things is YES, which it should be, then you are as ready as any of us were. The only way to become an expert on Company Command is to command one. Full stop. Your BDE CDR thinks you can do it. By that same token, I would imagine that he is going in to this eyes wide open that you may need help. Its more about your judgement than knowledge.

This opportunity may not magically re-appear when you are ready, the stars align etc.

I went to the CCC with many who had already commanded Companies for 12-36 months.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2020 5:39 PM

2020-12-29T17:39:20-05:00

Your BC trusts you, take it!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2020 5:59 PM

2020-12-29T17:59:09-05:00

The Staff knows you already..that is a plus.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2020 6:06 PM

2020-12-29T18:06:00-05:00

You were an XO so you already were the loggie guy in your Company.You know most of your soldiers and that relationship is a plus in getting things done.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2020 6:15 PM

2020-12-29T18:15:29-05:00

Don't do it. I did, and have nothing but counter productive complaints.

The main argument against it, is the command time as a 1LT will not count toward your Key Development Position.

Confirm with your Career Management Office. I did. 27 months gone that could have otherwise been rated in Staff Positions. Now I have to do it all over again as a CPT if I want to check the KD box.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Dec 29 at 2020 6:18 PM

2020-12-29T18:18:22-05:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member Your profile reflects eight years of military experience both enlisted and commissioned. You have seen others make mistakes in solving and handling military situations. Now is your opportunity to do better than those you have mentally critiqued over the years.
Command is the greatest job in the military! The greatest challenges, responsibilities, rewards and satisfaction go hand in hand with the privilege!

Response by MAJ Ron Peery made Dec 29 at 2020 7:11 PM

2020-12-29T19:11:20-05:00

Concur with LTC Mackay. You also need to consider that if you turn down this command, you may not get another offer, from this Bde Cdr or from anyone else. Your Bde Cdr thinks you can do it. Your bio says you have the skills. Frederick the Great had a saying, "Take not the counsel of your fears." You may get some gray hair and sleepless nights, but I think you should go for it.

Response by LTC Raymond Buenteo made Dec 29 at 2020 7:50 PM

2020-12-29T19:50:18-05:00

That’s what being an officers about, ready or not here it comes.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 29 at 2020 8:10 PM

2020-12-29T20:10:34-05:00

Please understand that I don’t at all mean this in a demeaning way...

I spent 5 years in a brigade signal company as their training NCO. I then transitioned to my brigade’s S6 shop where I’ve been for 7 years.

The signal company commander is more or less a signature authority. That’s not to say that you can’t have significant positive effect on the unit. But when it comes to use and deployment you don’t really get much say. You don’t need to understand much beyond the basic signal flow of the equipment. Brigade will tell you where to put the big stuff, BN will take their BnCPN and you’re left with a supply section, a 1SG and one retrans team. Your focus should be on IWQ/APFT/NCOES unless you have significant weak areas in your crew proficiencies.

Do not be afraid of this opportunity. If it’s a good strong company that is proficient in their METL tasks then pick one weakness and hammer it until it’s a strength. But don’t worry about a lack of unit or organizational knowledge. The signal company works more directly for the brigade HQ than any other company in the brigade outside of portions of the MiCo. Command doesn’t come along every day, and you’ll have time to get your schooling in.

Feel free to message me if you want to get further into specifics.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Dec 29 at 2020 8:13 PM

2020-12-29T20:13:34-05:00

Why are you even thinking about it? If your BN Cdr is considering for the job it means he/she knows you not only have the capability to tackle the job, but to entrust you with the overall care of his/her most precious asset: Soldiers! You already have 1st person knowledge of the unit and key leaders. Will you have to struggle a bit here and there? Even the most experience officer will so don’t worry. Therfore, given the option, for for it. And if offered and you declin without a solid reason (something in line as becoming a White House Military Aid), then forget about another opportunity; you’ll crash and burn your career!

Response by LTC John Griscom made Dec 29 at 2020 9:41 PM

2020-12-29T21:41:17-05:00

Look to the support you may have in the position.
I had six days of active duty when I was assigned as Headquarters Company Commander with 200+ troops. A great 1SG and some senior NCOs got me through that. I had three more command slots before I attended the advanced course. There was no such thing as a pre-command course in those days

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2020 7:53 AM

2020-12-30T07:53:35-05:00

Bad idea would be not taking the job. Never turn down any opportunity offered. You may not be fully qualified in your own mind, but someone thinks you are. As a CO all you have to do is lead and sign off. Your staff, especially XO and 1SG will help you administer. Grab resource material and read heavily. If you are unsure of yourself, it will show, and decrease confidence in subordinates. Go for it.

Response by Capt Gregory Prickett made Dec 30 at 2020 8:14 AM

2020-12-30T08:14:55-05:00

Never, ever, turn down a command position.

Response by MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. made Dec 30 at 2020 8:33 AM

2020-12-30T08:33:17-05:00

I'm with all the others who say go for it. Command, especially at the company level, is as good as it gets. The fact that your bosses think you have what it takes and that they'd rather have you than someone who's already been to your advanced course and/or the PCC (which they didn't have for captains back in my day) is really all you need to know.

On the negative side, if you turn it down, the bosses who think so highly of you may develop doubts about you because you opted out of a great opportunity when they clearly think you're the man for the job. . . .

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2020 10:02 AM

2020-12-30T10:02:14-05:00

You be in charge but your 1SG, XO, PLs and Platoon Sergeants will be there to delegate. Home station drill for the next year. The corona virus has postponed exercises like Defender and the like. Have resiliency. You will succeed! CSM Charles Hayden CPT Private RallyPoint Member MAJ Javier Rivera LTC Jason Mackay MAJ Ron Peery

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Dec 30 at 2020 10:17 AM

2020-12-30T10:17:02-05:00

Take the job! Offers to command don’t come around every day. You were the Company XO so you should know the Company. If the Company has a strong First Sergeant and no serious performance or personnel problems then this is a good deal. You can catch up on the schools.

Avoid problems with substance abuse, sexual misbehavior, and misappropriation of government funds and you’ll do okay.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2020 4:06 PM

2020-12-30T16:06:40-05:00

Do you know how few commands there are in the Signal community? Here is a hint when I was looking at a command on Fort Bragg in 2009 timeframe there was one command opening up and 30 officers applying. Realize if you turn it down the odds are not in your favor to take command again.

Response by LtCol Dennis Ivan made Dec 30 at 2020 7:00 PM

2020-12-30T19:00:39-05:00

Take it.

I cant speak for the Army but I can speak as a CommO/SigO.

NO ONE coming out of school really understands their trade well. You have a few basic principles down but its not enough to do the job.
You need two skills. 1. Know how to work with your SNCOs and enlisted. They know what a good plan looks like. I wrote countless ANNEX Ks or portions there of as a Lt (and after), every single time I could I handed the draft off to my SNCOs to correct, and then to my enlisted to correct. The SNCOs will make sure its formally correct and is a good plan. The junior enlisted - the soldiers who have to actually execute that plan - will tell you if it will work and if they understand it. This will give you an extremely good working relationship with your soldiers who will not only know the plan but have ownership of it.
2. Humility. The best SNCO I ever had walked into my office the first day he checked in and told me he knew nothing about Communications / Signaling. He was a convert and had spent the past 9 years doing something else. He spent the next year drilling my Marines. Every week he would have them build and tear down a network in front of him. He (and I) didnt have to admit or say anything, we just pulled an old order off the shelf and had them build it. Then do it again and again. This not only trained the Marines but it trained us. Eventually my SNCO was the best at every aspect of the entire shop because he worked with every single Marine and knew all their jobs. If you walk into the job with humility and make sure your Soldiers know where you are at and work with them to improve YOUR skills you can improve theirs as well and build up respect for yourself and them. You will also very quickly learn who is strong and who is weak. Everything you want to know about your unit you can learn by having them teach you.

Last thing, Company Command is command. It doesnt matter the company or what they do. You dont need to be the expert. Your platoon commanders and SNCOs do. You are there to lead and organize.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2021 4:07 PM

2021-01-01T16:07:56-05:00

I would not turn down a command position. I've yet to be put in a position I truly felt ready for in 14 years of service. Right now I'm a BN XO as a senior CPT if that gives you some idea. Furthermore, your BN CDR thinks you're the best person for the job. Usually wisdom comes along with LTC rank.

You have hit on a salient point however. You're inexperienced and undereducated compared to someone who would normally fill that position. Recognizing this issue means you can improve on it. The first thing I would recommend doing is start reading the appropriate doctrine. It won't replace hands-on experience, but you'll at least know what right looks like. I took command of a rifle company as a 1LT and didn't promote until my 2nd year. Knowing the doctrine helped me be successful when I had experience gaps.

Response by 1SG David Freed made Jan 3 at 2021 12:03 AM

2021-01-03T00:03:11-05:00

Hi 1LT:
You are being offered an opportunity that others would die for. Take the command!
Don't hesitate. Once in command, you will learn the ropes quickly from other officers and your NCOs.
Its an opportunity to LEAD, not follow and not get out of the way. If you don't take the offer, you
will likely live to regret it, particularly if you plan to stay in the Army.
Your Battalion Commander has already taken a look at you, and he (she) feels you CAN
handle it, otherwise, he (she) would not have recommend command to you.

If you refuse this offer, you likely will never get another opportunity......

Response by LTC Don Price made Jan 4 at 2021 6:05 PM

2021-01-04T18:05:45-05:00

Some great advice has been given. Back in 2003 I was activated with the 335th. I was in the facility Engineer slot then moved forward to Kuwait. Had no clue what I would be doing, and it wasn't till I was sitting in the conference room at Camp Doha I learned I would be the HHC Company Commander forward. Was a learning opportunity and a growth opportunity as well. You never know what you can do to thrown in the pit. You'll make mistakes, but learn and move forward. As I've fine a few 15-6 investigations on missing property in my career. Hand receipts are your life saver. Document and keep accurate property accountability. Learn your command team and build trust. ESSAYONS

Response by MAJ Ron Peery made Jan 4 at 2021 6:11 PM

2021-01-04T18:11:21-05:00

Just curious. Have you made up your mind on this?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2021 5:28 PM

2021-06-14T17:28:28-04:00

Circling back around. So I decided to take command. CoC will be in August.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 14 at 2021 6:05 PM

2021-06-14T18:05:30-04:00

It’s never a bad idea. I’m retired, so I’ve not kept up with OER current policy. It used to be that LT OERs were masked. If that is still the case, an LT Command might yield ratings that do not count as centralized board viewable Command OERs. If the board can’t see how you did in your Command it could affect future promotion.