SENIOR NCOs & PSGs: What qualities and actions do you look for in a young LT?

The relationship between a Platoon Sergeant and a Platoon Commander should be like a marriage; they both have to understand each other and work together to get the job done. It's the Platoon Sergeant's job to advise the commander and show him the ropes. It's the Platoon Commander's job to listen to what the Platoon Sergeant has to say, and make a decision based on the advice given.

A weak Platoon Sergeant is the biggest folly of a unit- it gives the commander basically free reign to do whatever he or she feels like doing with no restrictions. Conversely, A weak Platoon Commander can be sculpted into a strong one with a good Platoon Sergeant. It doesn't work the other way around.

Also, keep in mind that the billet of Platoon Sergeant is the most influential billet in the military- period; it is the only billet that places an enlisted rank as second in command- not even a First Sergeant or a Sergeant Major has that authority, because there is always an XO as second in command, and the Platoon Sergeant has the greatest direct influence on young officers.

All officers' careers are built or broken based on the performance of their Platoon Sergeants and what they bring to the table. Officers should review their Platoon Sergeant's backgrounds and reports and find out what kind of leader that Platoon Sergeant is; if he seems up to snuff then take a step back and observe and learn. If he seems like a weak Platoon Sergeant, don't try to fix him- that will only exacerbate the situation and make you look like an idiot... When you have been in for 10+ years you do not want to be corrected by someone that has been in for 2, it's just not going to happen. Bring it up with your superiors and see if there is somewhere he or she could be better utilized and look for someone with better management skills- just because a senior NCO or SNCO doesn't make a good Platoon Sergeant doesn't mean he is a poor warfighter, maybe he is just interested in turning wrenches or dealing with MOS related duties rather than accountability and administrative duties...

Learn and realize that the PL and the PSG is a partnership. One should not see it as one outranks nor out experience the other. Also understand that combining the squad leaders and PSG, you have at-least over 25 years of military experience. Having said that, ask questions, listen and learn from your SNCO's recommendations. Your PSG will be your best adviser, they share your best interest which is "accomplishment of Platoon missions and the welfare of your Soldiers". You are ultimately responsible for the success and failures of your platoon. Once you receive all the feedback you need from your trusted NCOs, make your intentions clear. When the mission is being executed and supervised by NCOs; don't be afraid to roll up your sleeves and get dirty with the troops. It is not mandatory, but often respected.

Good on you for reaching out for advice. Keep this spirit and you'll do just fine CPT(P) (Join to see)

LT, GET THE RANGER HANDBOOK AND LOOK AT THE PL AND PSG RESPONSIBILITIES. THIS MANUAL WILL GREATLY HELP ANY YOUNG OFFICER.

I am prior enlisted and NCO. I was curious to hear answers without that note. Wondering if that would change anyone's advice.

Note: Not sure how to edit the question to add this note, so hopefully this post is found at some point!

One who knows to salute a 1LT.

#1 LISTEN. LISTEN, LISTEN. Unless you are a MUSTANG, you have a lot to learn, and it is not a bad thing. Senior officers, Senior NCOs, have an awful lot to teach you. And especially the junior enlisted. Listen to their needs
#2 THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK. Unless you are in a critical moment, think it through. Talk with your SNCO, senior officers. Get advice on how best to handle it.
#3 KNOW YOUR NCO. Doesn't mean you should be buddy, buddy, but know him/her. Trust them. If they are good, they will never lead you wrong. Include them in planning, and your plan will gladly become THEIR plan.

I've experienced this issue prior to my getting injured. I was the acting Platoon Sergeant as we were short on E-7's. I shortly got a new E-6 who had a little more time in grade than I so he took over. The only problem was he had been out of the infantry for along time as he somehow got assigned in Washington and was working taking care of the horses with what I believe was the Old Guard. Anyways, he was very much out of his element and so I helped him as much as he would allow as once again he had time in grade over me. Soon after we got a new 2nd Lt. from the Citidel. Of course he had just finished Ranger School and his first order of business was to issue out Ranger Manuels to everyone. Now we are in Germany, in a Mech. Inf. Unit! I went with it as was my place and duty. Somehow he and the new E-6, became buddies and had all these great ideas on how we were going to be the best platoon in the company. The thing was that all the squads were already qualified experts at all our training at the different courses at Graf., and Hoenfeld. In short order the soldiers started getting an bad attitude towards the two. We started getting soldiers who would do what they were told to ones that wanted out of the platoon and wanted to know if they could talk to the CO. Anyways, they came to me and asked if they could talk to the CO, and I explained his open door policy and that as long as they used the chain of command they could. So one morning I get called down to our Tack Room and get jacked up from the two saying that I was leading a takeover of the platoon. I made it clear that in no way was I in any way doing such. The Lt. said that it was his platoon and he would run it his way. I told him that I had no problems with that with one little bit of advice. I tried to let him know that his plan to run the platoon as Rangers was in conflict with the way an Mech. Inf. Unit ran. That while we were dismounted that we could implement his doctrine and there was no problem with it. However I was told it was'nt my place to make any such statements. Then the new E-6 decided he would try to put his word in on me. So I said that it was going to be difficult for me to sit back and watch the platoon go south. I asked at that time if it would be possible for me to transfer to another platoon as it was clear that things were not working. That's when the shit hit the fan! They locked me up to attention and tried to tell me that I had better sign on with them or I was going to be in for a bad ride. I once again tried to explain that in no way had I done or acted in anyway to go against them and tried to tell the soldiers that it was not my place to question their orders as I was now just a Squad Leader and as such had to follow orders as they did. Shortly thereafter we deployed to Graf., and they had a new Squad Range and Platoon Range. Well we were going to be the first platoon to go down. At the briefing at the range at the sand table the Lt. explained his idea of how we were going to attack. Everyone listened and a look came over all the Squad Leaders as it was clear that there were some issues with his plan. So in the proper manner we all together asked and made some input to the plan so as to ensure another Expert qualification. Well we all got shot down and once again told that this was the Rangers way! Needless to say we got half way down the coarse and the Range Safety Officer shut us down as we were going out of bounds on the range and it was likely that we were going to end up with firing out of range boundaries. We all said that we were only following orders as to our attack. Needless to say but due to us being the first to run the coarse the Battalion Commander was with us to watch first hand. He road with me and my Squad and when we came to a dismount part of the coarse we engaged the targets to our front and as I was the Team Leader, as the squad was broken in two as this was a leap frog type coarse I radioed the Squad Leader and informed him to stop as we were involved in an engagement. Now this was before the Bradley and we were still using APC's so we had to be in contact with each other as the Track Commander I wore a PRC77 and my CVC, so I could stay in contact while dismounted. Long story short the Battalion commander had a flashback from Vietnam, and once I was down with my squad engaging the targets as they were timed, he came up behind me while once again I was in the prone engaging targets and he full force kicked me between the legs. As I didn't know what was going on I got up with my weapon and turned around and pointed my M16 at him and asked what the heck, not those words, but I am sure you could put the ones I used in. I came very close to shooting him for the assault. I later used his open door policy, against everyone's advice and confronted him to his assault on me. I had told him about all our efforts to do the coarse and what and why we were doing it that way. He apologized and informed me that with weapons firing and my being talking to my soldiers loud to get them engaging targets and calling the other side to stop them and ensure no cross fire, that he had a flashback and that there was no fault of my actions. Now by this time the entire Battalion was giving me a hard time about the situation so first the Battalion CSM, called an NCO meeting with no exception and let every NCO know that I had done nothing wrong and that if there was any other harassment towards me that he would be taking stripes and giving out Article 15's! The next morning the Battalion commander called a formation and did the same as the CSM. He also apologized to me and let everyone know I had done nothing wrong. This was to me like what Gen. Patton had done to the soldier in the med. tent. It is very possible that his kick was part of my problems with my hip injury. My point behind this is that there is a need for the new Lt's to ensure that they rely on the NCO's under their command and understand that we have been doing this for years. Some helpful advice doesn't hurt anyone and it isn't degrading it's how they become great Senior Officers. Knowing that there is reliable knowledge available should be strongly stressed in their training prior to being assigned to their first position. And if you have been out of your MOS, and know that you could use some help, get it from those who have been doing this for years and qualified. Don't be seen by your troops just minutes from going down range trying to make a radio check utilizing a porkchop mic. with no speaker attached, Utilize a hand mic., and if unsure ask! I know that this is a very trying time being fresh and just getting your new platoon. Use your NCO's as this is how we become a better and more informed unit. We to have to learn from your knowledge. The whole machine falls apart if we don't work together. The NCO's are the ones you will always need in order to ensure a great military career. We are there for whatever your needs are and to help in your new transition into your first command. Working together makes us stronger and more efficient. Always relied on us and we will get the job done with nothing but respect.

The use of handsoap is a must.

Willing to learn,