Posted on Jun 2, 2015
Should I be so quick to try and be a leader, as I am just a PV2?
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I love leading and I know some pvts are usually quick to avoid it but I try to be a leader every chance I get . I think its a good quality but then again I don't know. I went on a mission with my unit to ft Lewis last year and I was the only private there , there were a couple specialists but it was mainly officers ranging from 0-2 - 0-4 and a csm they asked for a volunteer squad leader and I volunteerd to do it I had a dozen officers and a CSM to keep a track of . That looks good to the higher ranking people right in terms of leadership?
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Leadership
Leadership
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 19
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In order to be a good leader, one must learn to be a good follower.
Learn as much as you can, technically or tactically, from your first line supervisors and the NCOs above you.
As a PV2, 80% of your job is showing up on time, with the right gear, with a good attitude. Your Sergeant will get you the rest of the way.
If you want to start showing that you have leadership potential, start hitting the books (FM's, ARs, TCs, and promotion board study guides) with your buddies during down time, during duty hours. Or ask if you can compete for Soldier of the Month for your Battalion...just to point out a couple things you can do to stand out.
Whatever you do, remember that you are not in charge of anything until you receive orders from above you stating otherwise. All you'll get from your palls is scorn if you try to be the "Command Private Major".
Learn as much as you can, technically or tactically, from your first line supervisors and the NCOs above you.
As a PV2, 80% of your job is showing up on time, with the right gear, with a good attitude. Your Sergeant will get you the rest of the way.
If you want to start showing that you have leadership potential, start hitting the books (FM's, ARs, TCs, and promotion board study guides) with your buddies during down time, during duty hours. Or ask if you can compete for Soldier of the Month for your Battalion...just to point out a couple things you can do to stand out.
Whatever you do, remember that you are not in charge of anything until you receive orders from above you stating otherwise. All you'll get from your palls is scorn if you try to be the "Command Private Major".
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SSG Roger Ayscue
All this young Soldier needs is a really good Team and Squad Leader that WANT to school a willing Soldier...I used to pray for those to show up when we got replacements
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In order to be a good leader, one also has to be a good follower. There is nothing wrong with your incentive, but learn a bit first.
Volunteer, find a great mentor, observe, ask questions, understand the answers, ask more questions. :)
"That looks good to the higher ranking people right in terms of leadership?"
--Do not worry about *looks*... Worry about intent. Are you doing it because it looks good to the higher-ups? Or because you genuinely feel fulfilled by it?
Also, just a little Admin sidenote, learn the proper capitalization of rank.
-csm is CSM
-pvt is PVT
-ft is Ft
**Attention to detail and getting into good habits with grammar may very well save yourself a harsh mentoring moment when you send an email to "csm jones" as is.
Volunteer, find a great mentor, observe, ask questions, understand the answers, ask more questions. :)
"That looks good to the higher ranking people right in terms of leadership?"
--Do not worry about *looks*... Worry about intent. Are you doing it because it looks good to the higher-ups? Or because you genuinely feel fulfilled by it?
Also, just a little Admin sidenote, learn the proper capitalization of rank.
-csm is CSM
-pvt is PVT
-ft is Ft
**Attention to detail and getting into good habits with grammar may very well save yourself a harsh mentoring moment when you send an email to "csm jones" as is.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
Absolutely when I talk to or address someone such as CSM I am sure to always capitalize that. But your absolutely right I appreciate the advice. I dont wanna look the part of the leader I wanna show the part also. I look at the leaders I have now and they are terrific they inspire me to wanna be them one day. I appreciate you taking time to give me this advice CMSgt!
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CMSgt (Join to see)
That is the right attitude! Keep up that motivation and your leadership skills will fall in naturally.
Feel free to message me if you ever need anything.
Feel free to message me if you ever need anything.
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Private, nature abhors a vacuum. If your NCOs are worth a tea-toateling damn they will encourage you to develop into a leader. I say Drive-on and Sua Sponte!
By the way...Remember, a Paratrooper is normally always a leader no matter the unit. I am not saying that you should go to Jump School, but YOU SHOULD GO TO JUMP SCHOOL because as much grief as I will get over this, AIRBORNE Units are 100% Volunteer, so that means they are really easy to get out of, or be put out of. But if you want to learn to be a leader, pick an AIRBORNE or Long Range Surveillance Unit. You will never look back
By the way...Remember, a Paratrooper is normally always a leader no matter the unit. I am not saying that you should go to Jump School, but YOU SHOULD GO TO JUMP SCHOOL because as much grief as I will get over this, AIRBORNE Units are 100% Volunteer, so that means they are really easy to get out of, or be put out of. But if you want to learn to be a leader, pick an AIRBORNE or Long Range Surveillance Unit. You will never look back
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