Posted on Sep 23, 2015
SENIOR NCOs & PSGs: What qualities and actions do you look for in a young LT?
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Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 75
First of all 2nd LT Everett, your willingness to come to a forum such as this and ask that question in my opinion says a-lot about your character, kudos. One word (Attentive) listen to your NCO's they already know you're in charge, don't rub it in their face.
Secondly don't be that guy... That comes in knowing everything because you don't, most of the Soldiers that you will be in charge of are already veterans and you can learn a-lot by just listening to and accepting their advice! Your NCO's and especially your PLT Sergeant will guide and teach you how to become a good LT and Officer. After all, most of the Schools/Training that you will go through up until the time you go to the Command and General Staff College, (should you stay in that long), will be taught by NCO's.
Lastly in my humble opinion. Lead from the front don't ask your Soldiers to do anything that you wouldn't do yourself, don't be afraid to get your hands dirty and be confident.
Good luck sir and thank you for your service!
Secondly don't be that guy... That comes in knowing everything because you don't, most of the Soldiers that you will be in charge of are already veterans and you can learn a-lot by just listening to and accepting their advice! Your NCO's and especially your PLT Sergeant will guide and teach you how to become a good LT and Officer. After all, most of the Schools/Training that you will go through up until the time you go to the Command and General Staff College, (should you stay in that long), will be taught by NCO's.
Lastly in my humble opinion. Lead from the front don't ask your Soldiers to do anything that you wouldn't do yourself, don't be afraid to get your hands dirty and be confident.
Good luck sir and thank you for your service!
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CPT(P) (Join to see)
That is my greatest fear at this point. Coming in as a prior NCO I don't want to come across as a know it all LT. I'm entering a new branch, but it has many similarities to my old mos. how do you suggest I walk the line? I was only a buck sgt with 3 1/2 years in so its not like I'm full or experience. I'd like my PSG to know that, avoiding the assumption that because I am prior I should know things that I do not.
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SFC Thomas Ceja
CPT(P) (Join to see) - Well, Sir you have a leg up already, it has been my experience that prior enlisted officers are the best and a prior NCO even better! Simply because they've been on both sides of the fence! Hell, you will be good to go no worries... Just be honest and explain your situation to your PSG. Honestly I think you'll be just fine, you got this... Good Luck!
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Understand that a young lt is given to the MSgt to train him. Just like we train the troops. We are not herebto let either fail if you listen and try. But if you insist that you know everything, we will sit back and laugh while you put it in the bleachers and screw yourself if you refuse to listen
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SSG Don Maggart
I personally would not let it get to that point my guys knew the drill it was getting Lt into the rhythm you are 100% correct on attitude no greater moral killer than that.. Know it Teach it Do it...
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DEPENDING ON THE YOUNG LT. M.O.S. - PICK MY M.O.S. 63 SERIES, AS MOTORSGT, I LOOK TO TRAIN MY NEW LT IN PAPERWORK, BUT WHAT GOOD IS HE IF HE IS ALWAYS IN THE OFFICE, MEETINGS, OR HANGING OUT WITH OTHER OFFICERS, SO I TELL HIM THAT I WILL TEAM HIM UP WITH MY LOWER SOLDIERS AND WORK HIS WAY UP, ISSUE HIM COVERALLS, THEN I HAVE HIM WORK AND LEARN WHAT MY MECHANICS DO, ENGINE WORK, ELECTRICAL, HYDRAULICS, RECOVERY, POWER PACK REMOVAL, REPLACEMENT, YES HE WILL LEARN EVERY POSITION THAT INCLUDES MY JOB, BUT HE WON'T GET TO MY DESK UNTIL HE PROVES HIS WORTH IN WHAT HAS BEEN TAUGHT TO HIM, HE WILL WORK INTO THE NIGHT, IN THE COLD, RAIN, MOONLIGHT HOURS WITH THE OTHER MECHANICS, I WANT HIM WHEN POSSIBLE WHEN HE DOES GO TO MEETINGS THAT MECHANICS HAS A VOICE, I WANT TO KNOW HE KNOWS EVERY ASPECT THAT DETAILS WHAT IS INVOLVED IN WORKING AS A MECHANIC, HELP THE YOUNG OFFICER RIGHT, IT WILL BE A GREAT DESASTER AND DISSERVICE TO HIM OR HER IF YOU FAIL YOUR OFFICER, GIVE THEM THE TOOLS YOU WERTE TAUGHT, YOUR MIND, YES YOU MAY THINK YOU CAN NOT TEACH SOMEONE WHO WENT TO COLLEGE, WRONG!!! WHAT YOU KNOW CAN TEACH SOMEONE A NEW TRICK, OR HELP THE LT UNDERSTAND, A YOUNG MECHANIC LEARNS FROM A DASH 10, THEN 20, THEN 30 AND SO ON, IF YOU TEACH A LT FROM THE TOP, YOU JUST RUINED THE GOLDEN OPPERTUNITY TO HELP HIM GROW - PLEASE TEACH HIM OR HER RIGHT // ALLONS
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SSG Don Maggart
OJT works for me skills knowledge from the lowest to highest are crucial, cross training a definite plus thumbs up...
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Someone who is teachable and doesn't act like they know everything. Most may be book smart but it really doesn't apply much in a real unit. Just be open with your PSG.
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I look for a LT that is willing to listen and understand that he or she may be an officer and we will do what it is that they want us to do, however we have probably have a lot of experience that can make their lives much easier.
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one that is willing to learn as well as teach..and ready to accept the duty as a team not a boss or one who thinks it his way or no way he must use his team because we have each other 6 that is our duty as a platoon and a Great leader to do the job...
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Absolute consistency, and jesus christ we all know you want to move up the ladder but throw your troops a bone every once in awhile and we'll take care of you in the long run. If your superior gives you a shit task to pass on to your troops break out the elbow grease and stand beside them doing it.
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