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

Listen before you speak. The NCOs have been there done that. Learn from their experience.

The understanding that your rank doesn't make you right, only responsible.

If a young LT can listen to me and others who aren't that far below him in terms of rank then I can work with any officer.

TRUST YOUR SENIOR NCO, THEY ARE THERE TO TEACH AND ASSIST YOU WITH BECOMING AN OUTSTANDING LEADER. AT FIRST THERE WILL BE SOME ROUGH PATCH'S AS IS ALWAYS WITH NEW RELATIONSHIPS. ALWAYS GIVE PUBLIC PRAISE TO YOUR WARRIORS AND HOLD PRIVATE REPRIMANDS WHEN NEEDED. THE PSG WILL GUIDE YOU THROUGH THE RANKS AND WHEN THEY FEEL READY THEY WILL HAND YOU THE KEYS TO THE WARRIOR MACHINE AND TURN YOU LOOSE.

Willingness to learn, strong basic soldering skills, candidness with PSG, united front, no power struggles in front of Soldiers.

CPT(P) (Join to see) Be Trustworthy! The Army is giving you responsibility of America's treasure and trusting you to care for them. Maintain that trust and be loyal. There may well come a day when that collateral will need to be cashed out.

Love your soldiers.... more than yourself. Lookout for their welfare before your own. That will build the trust with them... be that servant leader that will make them not want to let you down when things are at the rock bottom... and they will be.

Listen.... the hardest of all the parts of the communications process... with all your being... and take to Heart and mind what your hearing... not what is said. That empathetic link will place you in the category of truly being a respected leader.

Don't be afraid to be wrong. That's what going happen... you will.make a choice and it will be wrong... so learn from it... and your PSG will help the education process to minimize those experiences. Remember... those experiences are the ones the your soldiers will watch... and see how you dealt with. They will be ones that define you.

Good luck and Charlie Mike

I won't merge it because it seems like a conflict of interest. But you might enjoy this discussion:
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-is-the-one-thing-every-young-officer-must-know

Some one who is willing to learn and operate as a team. The job as a Platoon Leader is a great stepping stone to the rest of your career so coming in with an entitled attitude will be the biggest mistake you can make. Hope this helps.

LT,
As my peers have said already, have an open mind. Get to know your Squad Leaders/section Sergeants and PSG. Get to know them. Study them at first. Learn there weaknesses and strengths and exploit those. Know what type of leader they are, weather or not they have solid integrity, are they honorable in your eyes, and there character. Meaning are they the type that yell, scream, stud at PT or in front of people, and then when no one important's around they have everyone around them do the work and claim credit for it? Is he/she the type that is well rounded that you can consistently count on? These are just a few questions you can ask yourself. I can go on for hours but I won't. You need anything LT feel free to message me.

SSG McMurtry, Jonathan P
U.S. Army Infantry

Lt, everyone has given great advise. Listen to your SNCO's, set the example for your people and take care of them and they will take care of you. When you have to get on to them be honest and fair. Your SNCO will usually take care of the problem. But most all be straight with your people, if you BS them they can cause you a lot of headache's. Wish you the best, Sir