Past and Present NCOs, what do you wish 2LTs knew or had before assuming command of their first platoon and how can they bridge the E-O gap?

HN Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 14:14:57 -0400

Response by LTC Thomas Tennant made Oct 19 at 2017 2:45 PM

LTC Thomas Tennant — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 14:45:56 -0400

As a former EM....humility and willingness to learn. You have to trust that most good NCOs want the unit to succeed and survive for the next engagement or mission. The bad ones become apparent in due time and sink themselves. I was blessed with some great NCOs who forced me to be a fair officer....I had a lot to learn.

Response by SFC Davis Privette made Oct 19 at 2017 3:13 PM

SFC Davis Privette — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 15:13:06 -0400

Arrogance will sink a young officer fast, most PLT SGT’s have BA degrees also because there looking to be competitive for promotion.

Response by SFC Jim Ruether made Oct 19 at 2017 3:43 PM

SFC Jim Ruether — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 15:43:40 -0400

Come into the unit with an open mind and that listening is the most important asset he/she can bring to the new unit. If he or she will ask questions whenever they don't know something instead of shooting themselves in the proverbial foot.

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Oct 19 at 2017 5:25 PM

MSgt Mark Bucher — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 17:25:02 -0400

They need to learn how to listen, to trust the SrNCOs, and not try and bluff their' way through things. We all knew that 2Lts were next to useless, it was our job to teach them. I mentored several 2Lts during my career and it was a pleasure. Only had 1 who refused to listen, so I let her swing on a couple of things, she got the message.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made Oct 19 at 2017 6:40 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 18:40:59 -0400

Realizing that a Platoon isn't ROTC or West Point and that all that silly stuff he may or may not have done there probably doesn't apply. And of course, listening to the NCOs who've been around the block. He doesn't have to "give in" and only do what they say, but he should be calling on their experience.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Oct 19 at 2017 8:32 PM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 20:32:37 -0400

To me the most important thing that 2Lt’s need to realize is that they don’t know anything. However, they are also tasked with being in charge. 2Lt’s are put in a awkward position.

Their job is to find the smartest guy (gal) in the room and learn from them as quickly as possible. Understand their resources (people) and use them to benefit themselves and the unit.

Response by SFC Jeffrey Port made Oct 19 at 2017 11:46 PM

SFC Jeffrey Port — Thu, 19 Oct 2017 23:46:09 -0400

A good NCO to mentor them.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 20 at 2017 12:41 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Oct 2017 12:41:35 -0400

Not an NCO, but be willing to learn from them and even your Junior Enlisted sometimes. You're going to come across a PFC or SPC that is more experienced in the workings of the unit/office then you are because you just got there. Of course, you're still on Officer so that level of respect must be maintained but it doesn't mean you can't learn from others regardless of rank.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 21 at 2017 11:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 21 Oct 2017 23:26:36 -0400

Be understanding, willing to listen to you Platoon Sergeant and his or her subordinate leader, understand the military culture is not what West Point or being at a cadet command told you. I have had friends go through the GTG and told me the shenanigans they were told by the cadre about what the "Army" is like. I had a brand new LT as my PL once and he struggled with me telling him that he couldn't be so friendly with the junior Soldiers and that my job was to train the Soldiers as well as keep him on the right path to success for his career as well. A Platoon Sergeant and PL should compliment eachother and work together, not against eachother.

Response by MAJ Jason Sierakowski made Jun 3 at 2018 3:45 PM

MAJ Jason Sierakowski — Sun, 03 Jun 2018 15:45:22 -0400

Looking back as a 2LT, learn to understand your role from your PSG and squad leaders. Make the Company/Battery 1SG your mentor. They will want to mentor you. The Company Commander will give you guidance for training and the forward thinking of the unit. Understand the vision of the unit. 1SG will give you "real" insight with the NCO's in your Platoon. Have fun, and don't worry about being #1. Worry about being combat ready.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jul 9 at 2018 9:21 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 09:21:53 -0400

1. The E-O gap is there for a reason- O's command, NCO's lead/train. O's are in a unit for maybe 2-3 years, NCO's may spend 5-10 years in that unit. 2. Way too many 2LT come charging in determined to do things their way and that they no everything, eager to make changes in the unit on Day1. That unit has probably been around longer than the 2LT has been alive, has survived and even excelled before the LT showed up. 2LT are there to be trained/polished/educated, yes they may have great ideas and might even be the next Colin Powell or Patton. Always sit down and talk with the Sr NCO- look at the records/accomplishments of the unit- ask what training is coming up and what can the LT study up on to be of assistance. Watch for maybe a week, see how the unit stacks up against the rest, talk to the CO about expectations, and the XO about maintenance standards/shortcomings. Then start making changes after talking with you Sr NCO- tell him your goals/expectations, reminding all that this is a Command Group- no one can do it alone!

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jul 9 at 2018 12:06 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Mon, 09 Jul 2018 12:06:07 -0400

Army Second Lieutenants do not command platoons. https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/new-officers-listen-up

New Officers, Listen Up. | RallyPoint

As a newly Commissioned Officer, or as a Cadet aspiring to become an Officer, you may be asking yourself many questions as you get closer to leading your first Platoon. How will I rise to the challenge? How should I “come in”? The first thing you need to adjust is your mindset. Unless you have prior enlisted experience, you have to adjust to the fact that you will not be leading peer Cadets. Cadets are great and wonderful people. They are...

Response by SGM Bill Johnson made Jul 17 at 2018 12:55 PM

SGM Bill Johnson — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 12:55:17 -0400

2LTs don't "command" platoons. They are Platoon Leaders. What should they know? They should be book smart doctrinal experts, they should know the regulations. Their NCOs will teach them real-life; how to use their knowledge to accomplish the mission. There is no such thing as an "E-O" gap. Officers have their duties and responsibilities and NCOs have theirs. Enlisted Soldiers follow orders, learn, and grow. If everyone stays in their lane the mission gets accomplished.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Oct 8 at 2018 8:15 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Mon, 08 Oct 2018 20:15:01 -0400

HN Private RallyPoint Member Platoon leaders do not command.

https://www.rallypoint.com/command-post/new-officers-listen-up

New Officers, Listen Up. | RallyPoint

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2018 2:20 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 14:20:57 -0500

How to listen to NCOs. There are too many instances of these new 2LTs who think they're hot shit because they just graduated from (insert school no one really cares about here). If an E5/E6/E7 tells you that your idea is stupid... It's most likely stupid. Swallow your pride and learn from the old guy who's been doing this for the last 10+ years.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2020 8:07 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 20:07:54 -0400

Sit back and watch, ask the NCO’s questions