Is being a Brigade CSM RTO/Driver a positive or negative job for an NCO?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 18:52:31 -0400

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2017 6:54 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 18:54:33 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member Be the best RTO/Driver, and it will be a positive step in a career.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2017 7:03 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 19:03:02 -0400

I've never been one, I'd like to know though

Response by CSM William DeWolf made Apr 23 at 2017 8:23 PM

CSM William DeWolf — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 20:23:01 -0400

Look good, act smart, observe, listen and you'll be fine!

Response by PO3 John Wagner made Apr 23 at 2017 8:52 PM

PO3 John Wagner — Sun, 23 Apr 2017 20:52:07 -0400

It is what you make out of it. Plain and simple.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2017 8:16 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 08:16:24 -0400

Think of it as an excellent opportunity to get tons of quality time with a mentor who has reached the pinnacle of an enlisted career. It will not be fun, probably. But you will get some opportunities to travel and well-positioned support for special schools.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Apr 24 at 2017 9:22 AM

CPT Lawrence Cable — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 09:22:01 -0400

It's very seldom that a Brigade level job is a detriment to a military career. Look sharp, do your job at 110% and have a positive attitude. Additionally, you will get to see how thing work at a level most E-5's don't get to see.

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Apr 24 at 2017 10:02 AM

SSG Trevor S. — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 10:02:25 -0400

You might think the job is outside the scope of your MOS duties and does not present a leadership position but,,,,
1. You may be put in charge of the command driver section giving you a leadership opportunity.
2. Everyone has to do some form of staff time.
3. Having the senior leadership of your unit so accessible as mentors is an incalculable value for forming your leadership style for years to come.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2017 2:35 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 14:35:32 -0400

Command visibility is always a positive thing for a career

Response by LCpl Shane Couch made Apr 24 at 2017 2:55 PM

LCpl Shane Couch — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 14:55:53 -0400

Stay on your toes, keep your uniforms clean and pressed, everything perfect. You are now in the spotlight, but not in a bad way. You'll be highly visible for anything that could get you any awards or promotions. The very best of luck to you.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Apr 24 at 2017 11:00 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 23:00:50 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member Loose lips sink ships! What you see the CSM do, what you hear the CSM say: who? What?
I dunno! Unless, you have been directed to witness some action for the record!

Response by SGT Keith Boettcher made Apr 25 at 2017 12:17 AM

SGT Keith Boettcher — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 00:17:20 -0400

It's a great position to be in. Sometimes it can be a great career move.
Be on top of your game and be sharp.

Response by SSG Robert Webster made Apr 25 at 2017 7:32 AM

SSG Robert Webster — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 07:32:45 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member, Think of it this way, the CSM is assisting you in preparing for your next position of responsibility. Make sure that you take this opportunity to learn all there is to know about your MOS field and the additional educational opportunities that this will give you.
Welcome to the Falcon Brigade HQs team.

Response by SPC John Lebiecki made Apr 25 at 2017 12:28 PM

SPC John Lebiecki — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 12:28:50 -0400

I was the BDE CDR's driver. Personally, I picked up a wealth of knowledge from both the CDR and the CSM. It was an amazing experience to learn outside of the MOS.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 25 at 2017 10:15 PM

COL Charles Williams — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 22:15:11 -0400

Not sure... SSG Private RallyPoint Member ATW by the way.... That is a CSM question... Everyone job is all about manner of performance. It depends...

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2017 10:47 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 22:47:25 -0400

4 years ago i was a SSG and RTO for a BN commander ( let me remind you it is normally a PFC) i was selected due to be super high speed.

whether you are a over paid rto or driver. Be the best at that and let your NCOERS write itself. You being a SGT wont effect you for a SSG promotion board. If anything it will make the promotion board a walk in the park.

Response by SSG Darin McNeely made May 25 at 2017 7:46 PM

SSG Darin McNeely — Thu, 25 May 2017 19:46:33 -0400

it will only be a negative thing if you make it, everyone here is right, shut up, listen and the experience will take you farther than you think. be the best damn driver he's ever had!

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2017 10:10 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 22:10:30 -0400

Can you give us an update to see how it is working out for you?

Response by SSG Paul Headlee made Jul 23 at 2020 10:41 AM

SSG Paul Headlee — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 10:41:30 -0400

SSG Trevor S nailed it. Bear with me... As a 19 y.o. PFC with about zero judgement I failed to salute a WO1 as we passed each other on the sidewalk at my duty location in FRG. The CG of my former unit had a local policy of not requiring that W.O.s be saluted. I just took it for granted that this was Army wide. Wrong! The WO1 wanted to make a big deal out of it (wanting to meet with my COC, request an Article 15, etc) and I took it the wrong way. To CYA I stayed late in the afternoon at work (I was a driver in a brigade S-3 section), writing down the info pertinent to the encounter. The S3 popped into the conference room and asked what I was doing so I explained my predicament. He told me to just hang onto the statement and don't worry any more about it. I didn't know this gentleman personally. I just did a good job for his NCOIC on a regular basis. I figured this W.O. had me dead to rights. I was clearly in the wrong...but with extenuating circumstances and its just my nature to fight back. Two days later nothing had been said and this situation was eating at me. I'm walking down the same sidewalk and here comes you know who. I saluted and greeted him the instant we made eye contact. He RUNS over to me, shakes my hand and apologizes for his attitude the previous time we met. I assured him that I knew he was right to expect me to render respect to his rank and we parted on good terms. I'm thinking WTF, over... I don't know what the Major said to this guy but it obviously put the fear of God into him. The Major eventually made 3 stars. The way he advocated for me (probably having spoken only to my NCOIC to determine his course of action) was to me, stunning. It was absolutely unexpected (and perhaps undeserved but that's another discussion). I felt like my contributions were acknowledged and I felt appreciated. This was a turning point as I was planning to ETS that year and attend college. Instead, I re-enlisted. The Army benefited by retaining someone who later became an NCO that took leadership seriously. I benefitted not only by being able to have a career but by getting a glimpse into the value system of an extraordinarily good officer. Interactions with people who are going places in life will tend to benefit you as they shape your ideas about how to BE, KNOW and DO.