Letter from a Promotable Lieutenant...

2014-12-11T23:36:32-05:00

point...
http://foreignpolicy.com/2014/12/08/one-fast-way-to-improve-officers-make-company-grade-officers-do-their-jobs/?wp_login_redirect=0

counterpoint...
https://medium.com/gwot-weather-report/the-aar-5-things-the-1lt-p-can-teach-us-bc5a107947ff

discuss...

One fast way to improve officers: Make company grade officers do their jobs

Guest columnist Max Lujan on the essential strategies for the growth of junior officers.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2014 11:41 PM

2014-12-11T23:41:18-05:00

my thoughts - The unfortunate thing is that my guess is he may have the potential to be a decent officer, but this is what he will be remembered for. I sincerely hope that maybe this was the impetus for him to understand humility once and for all. He has several common friends of mine who were WP grads and leaders who undoubtedly spent many hours mentoring him. My hope is that they can sit down with him and help him understand the gravity of the comments (ie the proverbial strategic corporal) and that the army as a whole is better off because it can be used as a real life social media and army core values teaching point.

His fb page has similar rantings, so unfortunately it isn't an isolated event. :(

Response by SFC A.M. Drake made Dec 11 at 2014 11:39 PM

2014-12-11T23:39:57-05:00

Sir,

I did not know that this LT had all the answers, questions, troops, best buddy to the BN CDR has it all down as far as leadership skills, charisma, etc.....Now this is scary if he thinks this way

Response by MG Hugh Van Roosen made Dec 12 at 2014 11:04 PM

2014-12-12T23:04:56-05:00

Here is what a 1LT hoping to be promoted needs to know- Your board is 'fully qualified' (versus 'best qualified') which means you are judged on about three things. Do you have a bachelors degree? Do you have BOLC? Do you have one or more Center of Mass or Competent OERs? If the answer to all three is yes then you are likely to be promoted. If you have derogatory information (an Article 15, GO letter of reprimand, civil conviction, one or more APFT or ht/wt failures, or a previously referred OER) then you would do well to write a letter to the board saying that you acknowledge that you did wrong, but that it won't happen again and you can prove it by your subsequent performance. That might sway board members. The MAJ boards (for now) work the same way. Beyond that, you are up against 'best qualified' boards where you are judged on a scale of 1-6 (with a +\-) and have to be above the cut line. Different rules apply. Good luck.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2015 12:16 AM

2015-01-06T00:16:09-05:00

The counterpoint article was excellent, made me think and reflect of my own time as an inexperienced LT and junior CPT. I sometimes tended to complain and question things too much until a wise mentor, peer, or NCO would set me straight. I believe all of us who have younger, junior officers amongst us have a duty and responsibility to mentor them. Mentoring plays such an important role in our leader development.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2015 2:53 PM

2015-01-06T14:53:48-05:00

CPT Endre Barath was there something about this discussion you didn't like? You down voted it, I assume because you didn't like the LT or my raising the issue to begin with? We typically don't down vote the actual question so I am confused?

Response by CPT Endre Barath made Jan 6 at 2015 2:55 PM

2015-01-06T14:55:32-05:00

I have read the article that this 1LT(P) wrote, I find it is more sensationalism rather than valuable information. I would be interested to see how long he will remain in the Military and what other profession he will reappear. This is someone who does not get it, he needs to grow and mature or disclose his real purpose of this article.

When I was a 2nd LT I had a Battalion Commander (who used to be a SSG in Vietnam before getting commissioned), he walked into my office and asked me what my soldiers are doing....I assured him that they are in the motor pool maintaining the vehicles...He asked me to take a walk with him....the troops were sunbathing laying around listening to music....He told me not to be a clipboard or armchair Leader...spend time and get involved ....you get the idea...

It is not about throwing rocks but lead by example and this article is the former...just sayin

Response by CPO Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2015 3:32 PM

2015-01-06T15:32:10-05:00

Looking and reading many responses, the original article it leads me to a few basic ideas.

1. it is easy to see those that understand what participatory leadership means and also the need to be as flexible as needed if you are in a position of leadership. Your job is not to do the job, but to lead your people to get the job done.
Hopefully this will be done without to many bodies in your wake.
2. If standards, accountability and responsibility are not upheld for all member and not turned into fearful mistakes but ways to learn, then more people will be willing to think outside of the box.
Typically those most flexible are the ones that can earn respect and cooperation from above and below in the chain.
3. MOST IMPORTANT, realize we all have different potentials and plateau's of growth and learning. That is just human beings and one of our many differences. Some are able to lead large groups, some small and yet others not at all.
Instead of just promoting and using that as a gauge of success, perhaps it should be more of the overall person, not just one or two area's of performance. A true leader admits when they are at the point of maximum efficiency, self awareness or no awareness. Take your pick.

I personally believe if you have a good leader helping you get on your feet, usually the first senior enlisted no matter the service. Part of our job is to give the honest feedback in the early training of these junior leaders, they will either make it or break it, the way they are taught is the way they will find most natural to lead. It is also up to the senior chain to balance and evaluate, give guidance and direction, finally, before these leaders get too nuts with power run amuck, the senior leadership must be willing to step up and hold them accountable.

The system is fine, it is a great system and has worked for many generations in many cultures, the people are what make it work or not, it really is as simple as doing the job we have freely accepted.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 7 at 2015 3:32 PM

2015-01-07T15:32:06-05:00

1LT Lujan, more than likely, had some good intent behind his article, but it was articulated poorly; and by poorly I mean he came off in a horrible light. It seems evident that this officer has difficulty seeing his words and actions from the eyes of others. I can appreciate his passion for making the Army better, but his wording comes off as brash and arrogant. Neither of which is needed in today's Army.

My favorite line was his belief that calling a peer out was helpful. While holding others accountable for their actions is something we should all do, the manner in which it's done is just as important as the action itself. A little social tact can go a long way.

The counterpoint was great and I hope the LT read it. It covered a number of my concerns and I think it was written well. The author seems like a great mentor candidate for the LT.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Jan 9 at 2015 3:24 PM

2015-01-09T15:24:39-05:00

I believe command Officers have done this for so long that company grade officers now think they too should be able to follow suit. Its a sad practice but appears to be an ever growing practice.