So, today I have been given my first team and there are a lot of nerves right now. What advice would you offer?

Lead from the Front- Fair but hard, Never use "Do as I say, Not as I DO", get your hands dirty from time to time. Never give them anything that you can't or won't do. Demand Respect and Give Respect. Reward and Punish equally- YOU NO LONGER HAVE ANY FRIENDS among them.

Be firm and fair. Don't be afraid to put foot to ass, but be sure to know how hard that boot needs to smack the six. Be in the dirt with them. Don't have them do anything you wouldn't do yourself first.

Accept and understand that you can’t fix other people. You maybe able to inspire them, though.

Understand that your hands will be full of your own rear end, but that’s a part of the maturation process.

And embrace the fact that you will fail them, and they will fail you. But never accept failure as the end state. Learn together, grow together, and always chase perfection, knowing all the while you won’t attain it. But along the way hoping to catch excellence.

That last tidbit a paraphrase from Vince Lombardi, told to me by one of the CMDTs of the Drill Sergeant Academy (Charles “Mike” Gilmer. It’s been a staple in my life ever since.