Senior leaders: what are your expectations for a new Junior Officer with little experience?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 22:04:37 -0400

This is more oriented toward the field grade/senior officers, but if you're an experienced/senior enlisted member please feel free to comment.. As a 2LT what do you expect to see from a 2LT who doesn't have the experience or knowledge that was gained from the experience from AIT/deployment/on the job experience.. Obviously a 2LT isn't going to know everything, so as a field grade officer, how have you, or do you plan on developing or working with young LTs to mold them into better officers? Senior enlisted, examples would definitely be helpful. If you have examples of dealing or working with "Toxic Leadership" please share.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Oct 9 at 2014 10:06 PM

SGT Richard H. — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 22:06:13 -0400

You just did the first step...ask questions. Knowing nothing else about you, I already know you are at least looking for the right track, if not already on it.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Oct 9 at 2014 10:25 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 22:25:07 -0400

As SGT Richard H. said, You're on the right track by asking. All us Os have been at the starting line where you are now. Be confident.

1. Listen to and learn from your PSG/SNCOs they are going to fill in the knowledge and experience gaps. Don't pull rank on them, don't talk down to them, if there's a situation you feel needs to be addressed with them, seek advice first from your company commander. your PSG is Mom to your Dad. There needs to be trust, respect and understanding from both sides. Earn it, not just from rank, but more importantly as a leader.

2. Your senior officers are there to mentor you, take advantage of it. See how they interact with each other and their SNCOs. Find someone to emulate while developing your leadership style.

3. Your troops are people. Talk to them, learn from them, get to know them. Do PT with them. Don't be afraid if you make a mistake in front of them, this way they see you as a person too.

Most of all, be yourself. Take in everything and adapt it to you and what you know so you become successful. Before anything the service can teach you, you already have your morals, ethics and background from growing up.

Response by SPC David S. made Oct 9 at 2014 10:28 PM

SPC David S. — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 22:28:45 -0400

I concur with SGT Richard H. LT just ask questions and drill down. Keep it SPC and up as a private will have you cleaning you sidearm with brake fluid.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 9 at 2014 11:41 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 23:41:34 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member , you should receive plenty of direction for your superior officers. As a Senior NCO, and I am just coming from a BN with a lot of new 2LTs, be involved and ask! Depending on your situation with your first assignment, reach out to a good E6 or E7 and ask for some mentorship. Ask them to be a sounding board to anything the "Good Idea Fairy" whispers into your ear.

If you are assigned into a PLT LDR position, you should have that SFC to start that process. Keep an open mind. When you have a problem, always come up with a couple COAs to analyze. They may completely punch holes in the plan, but at least you are starting the critical thinking process. Keep the relationship solid and honest. They will have your back.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Oct 9 at 2014 11:57 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Thu, 09 Oct 2014 23:57:58 -0400

2LT is a tough rank. Why? Because not only are you tasked with learning how to be a Soldier and an officer, but you also have to lead at the same time. No easy task there as you must find the balance. Listen to your NCOs and learn from them. They are in that position because they have proven their abilities to lead. But in the end, YOU are in charge. Find the balance that works for you and your unit. If you do, you will be very successful.

Response by COL Randall C. made Oct 10 at 2014 2:37 AM

COL Randall C. — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 02:37:51 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member, I'll ditto the sentiment of eyes and ears open. I know that you'll feel the Army is schizophrenic in telling you that the majority of soldiers surrounding you will have more experience and training yet it also tells you that you're the one that is supposed to lead! Believe it or not, it fades into acceptance after a while and doesn't seem to be so strange a situation.

To your question of "what do you expect to see from a 2LT who doesn't have the experience or knowledge that was gained from the experience from AIT/deployment/on the job experience", I'll say this - I expect to see one of the next generation of leaders for the Army.

People like LTC Paul Labrador and I have a lot less of time in front of us vs behind us (in the military ... I don't plan on kicking the bucket too soon). Don't worry about knowledge and experience - you will gain plenty of that in due time. What you do have to focus on cultivating is WHO you are, not what you know.

If you look at the new OER and compare the Company Grade plates with the Field Grade plates, there are two significant things that should jump out at you:

- The first is that the majority of the Company Grade plate is devoted to evaluating the professional attributes (what you are) and competencies (what you do) of the officer (ARDP 6-22, Army Leadership). In fact, you have about 6 times as much 'real estate' devoted to capturing those fundamental traits than you do to the tasks you performed.

- The second is that Character is critical and just as important to the COL as it is to the 2LT. Strive to never compromise the integrity of your morals and ethics and always strive to do the 'right thing' over the 'easier option', even if it seems extremely hard to do. Embrace LeaDRSHIP with a focus on Respect. Respect is two-way and fundamentally, I am no better than you are just because I'm senior in rank (well, maybe I am fundamentally better than MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca, but that means I'm part of a very large group). We both have different jobs, but are part of a common organization. Treat all with respect and dignity, even to those who you have a very difficult time doing so, and you will find that your role as a leader is significantly easier if you do.

Good luck and remember there are never any stupid questions ... unless someone asks you if you should salute a 1LT.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2014 7:34 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 07:34:39 -0400

Always have your hand up for the sh*ty jobs that nobody else wants. Make your commander know that you're always eager for more responsibility. Also, show your soldiers that you're willing to do the dirty work right along side them. I've always made a point to be right there putting up tents, taking out garbage, washing vehicles, etc. Make sure that you're uniform is just as dirty or even dirtier than the uniforms of your soldiers.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Oct 10 at 2014 10:15 AM

MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 10:15:44 -0400

You've already made the first positive step forward: You were not afraid to ask questions. NEVER be afraid of asking questions of even the newest E-1 or crustiest O-6. HOW you ask can be just as important as WHAT you ask though so be careful of that pit fall.

As for myself, what I asked of ANY officer (or NCO) is that they not be afraid to come down out of their ivory tower and join me down in the dirt and slop to get the mission accomplished. A person's fancy education and/or heavy awards package doesn't impress me in the least. What DOES impress me their willingness to make the same sacrifices I and the other unit members are making to get the job done.

Never be afraid to share a beverage with the troops. I was able to resolve many an issue (anything from personnel issues, to equipment failures, to discipline problems, etc) with my LT or Capt over a cold one at the base club. Just make sure you are doing more talking/listening than drinking. No one needs a DUI on their record!

Most importantly-- NEVER undermine your NCO's position in front of the other troops. It doesn't matter how much of a high speed, low drag officer you may become. If your NCO(s) have become compromised, there won't be anyone around to carry out and enforce the orders you issue.

Good luck to you sir! I suspect you will have a very long and successful career so long as you don't forget your roots.

Response by SFC James Barnes made Oct 10 at 2014 11:13 AM

SFC James Barnes — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 11:13:02 -0400

Both the sirs bring up very good points. And I agree as a new Lt you will have alot of new people trying to mentor you. Your PSG is your experience and just like a marriage the more you put in the more you'll get out of it. If you don't know something admit it and have one of your signal SME teach you. If you throw your rank around it will not end well. There is a time and place but know when it's appropriate. Other than that remember your signal. They can talk about us but not without us.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 10 at 2014 12:23 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 12:23:36 -0400

oh... and one more thought - I've always tried to be at work before my boss arrives. He walks past my office to get to his, so I want my light on and computer fired up as he rolls by. 0700 is also a great time to get one-on-one with the boss each day if you need it. Also, on things like FTXs or deployments, it's important to be the first to arrive and the last to leave when you're working with enlisted soldiers. Officers often get the label of doing less than the enlisted, so don't give them a reason to brand you with that. I don't care if you're sitting their flipping paperclips, just be there in advance of everyone else and you don't leave until the enlisted soldiers do.

Response by COL Randall C. made Oct 10 at 2014 2:29 PM

COL Randall C. — Fri, 10 Oct 2014 14:29:56 -0400

A bit off topic in the sense that this isn't directly tied to you performance as a leader, but rather your personnel success in the military.

If you are anything like I was when I first come in after college, you probably don't have any 'plans for the future' (who the heck wants to worry about what they are going to do 20+ years down the road now!). One thing I would suggest is to discipline yourself for saving now. It doesn't have to be a large amount starting out .. only that you do it as early as you can. First, it gets you into a habit of saving and second, your best saving years are right now (just Google "start saving early" and read the articles). Even putting a few hundred dollars a month away now will significantly pay off down the road - and trust me .. there WILL be a time down the road that you will be kicking yourself if you don't start now.

I will suggest one area to start 'saving for your retirement' - The TSP. This wasn't available when I came in, but the government opened it up to the military in 2005. Most of the investor sites give it high grades, but if you have something you feel is better, do that. If nothing else, pick one of the life cycle plans and start putting in money - it's a lot better than NOT doing anything.

Response by MAJ Sitz Randy made Jan 21 at 2015 10:33 AM

MAJ Sitz Randy — Wed, 21 Jan 2015 10:33:16 -0500

Initiative to get in to the fight. Don't sit back and act like you are not a part of the team yet. Get involved (don't pester) but show determination and tenacity. Stand tall...assured but remain humble. Understand the unit's mission and what the Command Group's intent for your unit is.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 10 at 2015 10:14 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 10 Sep 2015 10:14:23 -0400

I am not senior but I can tell you one advice...

... find out your boss' vision and his phylosophy right away. In order to succeed you need to know what is important to the person that is rating you and what things they value?

For example, some bosses like to have good runners and the PT studs, and if you are one of these individuals you find yourself walking on water, LOL!

Learn how to be good under the standards of the Army and your Boss. Also get your counseling right away thats the best way of getting on paper what his/her expectations are and it gives you a finishing line and how to excel.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made May 11 at 2016 5:31 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Wed, 11 May 2016 17:31:46 -0400

I expect them to know their craft inside and out, use the OPORD, coordinate, know all the contact drills, remain loyal to all who he/she works with, inculcated by Army Values, work with the NCOs, have the courage to admit mistakes, and get a better understanding of all the resources. Use TLPs and hit SP time without delay.