SSG Private RallyPoint Member 6707932 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>As a new squad leader I&#39;ve been struggling a lot with this. I&#39;ve realized that I&#39;ve been putting 100% of my energy into taking care of my Soldiers and helping other people/executing my additional duties. Now I haven&#39;t had time of life to take care of myself. How do I find balance? 2021-01-31T07:26:46-05:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 6707932

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>As a new squad leader I&#39;ve been struggling a lot with this. I&#39;ve realized that I&#39;ve been putting 100% of my energy into taking care of my Soldiers and helping other people/executing my additional duties. Now I haven&#39;t had time of life to take care of myself. How do I find balance?

2021-01-31T07:26:46-05:00 2021-01-31T07:26:46-05:00 SSG Leonard Cartwright 6707991

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>The answer is right infront of you ..I was station in Germany 4/66 armor I had come frome 82 Airborne Div and had never seen a track vehicle. The more I took care of my solders ie ....giving them time to prep for inspection, talking over problems and so on .That energy came back on me I would go to the motor pool ,they were all ready their ,caught on of my private getting the radio fixed all the maintenance was done. To shorten this story what you put in to them they will give back to you.

2021-01-31T08:01:27-05:00 2021-01-31T08:01:27-05:00 CPT Lawrence Cable 6708058

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>A couple of suggestions. Delegate tasks that are within that soldier&#39;s capacity to accomplish. Check and inspect to insure that it&#39;s done. Train weak members of your squad till they are up to speed, but remember that while that needs to be accomplished, you can always use members of your squad to do it. That also gives them experience at training other soldiers. Make sure that you are using other Platoon and Company assets to your advantage. As example, you need to insure that your soldiers get all the schools they require for Qual&#39;s and Promotions, but it is the RNCO&#39;s job to make that happen. Walk that soldier down to the RNCO, or Admin, or whatever and let that person do their job, but check to make sure it gets done. <br />OTOH, leadership requires some personal sacrifices to do the job. While the steps above should give you more personal space, be aware that as you go higher the burden increases. There will always be a crisis that comes up sometime that will require your attention. It&#39;s part of the job.

2021-01-31T08:44:34-05:00 2021-01-31T08:44:34-05:00 1SG Private RallyPoint Member 6708074

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I stuggle with this myself. Being a servant leader is difficult but has huge rewards. There&#39;s a saying I like, &quot;Treat them like kids and they will follow you to war, treat them like your kids and they will follow you to hell.&quot; My recommendation is give it a little more time. Assuming a new position you have a lot to learn and creating/altering systems to work for you. It takes me about 2 months before I can relax and rearrange priorities. Sometimes you have to just make the time to get personal stuff done.

2021-01-31T08:50:21-05:00 2021-01-31T08:50:21-05:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 6708238

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Learn to delegate. <br />That’s why you have team leaders for. Once you get task delegation down, you knock out your stuff and you’re in the gym by 1300.

2021-01-31T09:47:44-05:00 2021-01-31T09:47:44-05:00 CSM Charles Hayden 6708579

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="1638338" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/1638338-31b-military-police-142nd-mp-94th-mp">SSG Private RallyPoint Member</a> You are on target! Take care of the Squad Leader so he can take care of the squad! Monitor your time, getting overly involved can smother you and gobble any spare time you might have.

2021-01-31T11:29:35-05:00 2021-01-31T11:29:35-05:00 SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member 6708701

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Find your squad strength and weaknesses and pear them up. Have them teach each other. Instead of overseeing everything and missing out on opportunities.

2021-01-31T12:14:52-05:00 2021-01-31T12:14:52-05:00 1LT Private RallyPoint Member 6708712

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Remember that part of taking care of junior soldiers is letting them learn how to do things for themselves so that they can be prepared for the next level of their military career. If you have the time and wiggle room, let them have a John Wayne swimming lesson every once in awhile, but be prepared to pick up the pieces and make sure it is to standard in the end.

2021-01-31T12:22:15-05:00 2021-01-31T12:22:15-05:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 6708715

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>You have to make time for yourself. It&#39;s that simple. Delegate. Assign team leaders.

2021-01-31T12:23:34-05:00 2021-01-31T12:23:34-05:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 6708813

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Develop a schedule (battle rhythm), prioritize, delegate, understand and accept that the work will never be done. Establish a cut off time that enables you the personal time you and your loved ones require.<br /><br />Remember: a gnarled tree in a forest, that a board for a house nor a piece for a pencil can’t be fashioned, lives long after all the other trees have been cut down.

2021-01-31T13:06:33-05:00 2021-01-31T13:06:33-05:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 6708885

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>One of my first jobs after leaving the Army the first time was working in a restaurant as a server. It seems simple, you ask people what they need and bring it to them. But I found myself running back and forth constantly and feeling overwhelmed, while these older ladies were handling twice as many customers as I was and they were casually strolling along. They told me, don&#39;t go back and forth to each table, make one trip to all tables bringing what you need. Point is, have a flow, don&#39;t be reactive. Consolidate tasks and group them to be more efficient. Your job is not so reactive that you can&#39;t predict your day to some degree. With experience comes knowledge, and that knowledge allows you to predict what tasks you&#39;ll need to accomplish in a work week, and what problems you&#39;re likely to face with your Soldiers.<br /><br />Second, as everyone else says, delegate. Your first job as a leader is not to accomplish the mission, it&#39;s to train other leaders. A PSG teaches PLs. A CSM mentors 1SGs. A SL teaches TLs. That way you&#39;re creating a force multiplier. You can only be one superhero, but if you train ten people who train ten people who train ten people.... You have an Army of capable leaders

2021-01-31T13:39:54-05:00 2021-01-31T13:39:54-05:00 SFC Melvin Brandenburg 6708949

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Let me share what my experience with this is. When I was junior enlisted I worked like hell doing all kinds of extra stuff so that I could earn awards for myself and rack up the promotion points. It worked. When I became a sergeant I was still in this mindset but not completely looking out for #1. I earned a few more awards but not at the same rate as before. I had a conversation with my mentor about this, and he explained I was focused on the wrong thing. I was focused on myself, when I should be focused on taking care of my joes. He said to take care of my joes and all would work out in the end. I did that, and after a few years I was rated #1 NCO in my company on my NCOER. A few years later the same comment from a different rater in another unit. I had no problem getting promoted at minimum time for both SSG and SFC. I retired. Over the course of being an NCO and section leader I wrote several awards for retiring soldiers. The unit I retired out of was more or less dysfunctional, and I am still due my last two NCOERs. Even though I had written awards for retiring soldiers, and there were plenty of things that could have been used to write one for me, nobody took the time to do that. Every once in a while I wonder what more I could have done, but really, not more could have been done. It may sound like I am disappointed in all of this, but I am not. The point of my existence wasn&#39;t to earn for myself, but to develop capacity by investing in others. Remember the first part of the NCO Creed. Accomplishment of the mission and the welfare of your soldiers. Nowhere in the creed does it mention getting stuff for yourself. Ronald Reagan said if you are doing the right thing you won&#39;t worry about who gets credit. So, what I think about when I ponder these things is that I was fully committed to my mission, and I fully took care of my soldiers over the years. I lived up to the creed and the Army Values to the best of my ability. And for that, I am satisfied with the outcome because I had a meaningful and rewarding career. Would it have been nice to get an award?? Yes, of course. But, I earned something much greater in the experience. I earned self respect and a love of service. This is worthy of a career. Keep your mind and your heart on what is most important. Take care of your joes.

2021-01-31T14:13:05-05:00 2021-01-31T14:13:05-05:00 CSM Darieus ZaGara 6709291

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Delegate, get your Soldiers started on a Task, place the Senior Soldier in charge when you step away. Make sure that the senior Soldier understands the requirement and will reach out as necessary to keep the task on point. Shock in routinely to ensure that the Team is getting along. <br /><br />You also build your Team out of necessity. Individual and Team development are a by product. As for additional duties you prioritize based on your organizations policies. Not everything has to be done immediately, learn to prioritize.

2021-01-31T17:12:01-05:00 2021-01-31T17:12:01-05:00 SFC Kathy Pepper 6709324

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Just as your Soldiers now have you to look up to for guidance, you have your Platoon Sergeant to turn to for advice. You can also ask other squad leaders, either in your own platoon or other platoons, for leadership ideas. Also, pay attention to what bad leaders do, and then do the opposite; I have learned more from my bad leaders than from good leaders.<br /><br />Based on your job as an MP, your Soldiers will not be “done” so you give them time off or get off early yourself, so you will need to come up with ways to make your Soldiers self-sufficient. You can try assigning one squared-away Soldier to each Soldier who needs additional help. This will ease the burden of the Soldiers who take the bulk of your time. I once put an E-4 in charge of both another E-4 and an E-5 (obviously, the E-5 did not know), and then I gave my “SPCIC” as much time off and extra perks as possible. <br /><br />You can empower your problem Soldiers by teaching them how to solve their own problems. Even though it is faster and easier to give them the solution, they will not learn to come up their own answers. The next time they come to you, point out how they solved their own problem and emphasize how they are capable of doing it on their own. This method is tantamount to training a cat, but you should be moderately successful with time and patience.<br /><br />Depending on what is on your Company Training Schedule, you can have Squad Training and have your Soldiers take turns leading it. The best way to learn a task is by teaching it, so you could have your weaker Soldiers train the others in areas they need help themselves. If they do well, praise them; if they do poorly, praise their effort. That’s how you train dogs and children.<br /><br />Delegating was one of the most difficult thing that I had to learn, but it will free up your time. No one will ever do the job as well as you (or so you think), but you need to train your Soldiers so they will have the knowledge necessary to get promoted. Eventually, you might have enough time that you can pick up some of your supervisor’s tasks, so you can work on your next promotion.<br /><br />You should have already counseled them initially; you might want to consider giving them a Counseling Statement when they do a particularly good job or show improvement. Many Soldiers don’t realize Counseling Statements are used to track good behavior as well as bad, and is a great way for the Soldiers to track their own progression. Mark Twain said, “I can live for two months on a good compliment.” Counseling Statements may give your Soldiers the incentive to exceed your expectations so they can get “a good compliment.” <br /><br />Congratulations on your promotion, and good luck with your career.

2021-01-31T17:33:02-05:00 2021-01-31T17:33:02-05:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 6709561

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>This is a tough question, but in reality only has one answer. From someone who&#39;s been in the lowest level (battery/company) and taken care of up to 12 soldiers at once, I&#39;m convinced that E5 is one of the hardest ranks in the army. With that being said, you just have to figure it out.<br /><br />If you delegate, you run the risk of others messing up and then having to correct not just the original problem, but the problem your team leader made as well. But on the other hand, you run the risk of not developing subordinates. Depending on your unit, you may find delegation works better than single handedly tackling all the issues. <br /><br />What worked best for me was putting my best foot forward and taking care of the soldiers, single handedly. I didn&#39;t like delegation in my field of work because of the attention to detail and technical expertise needed. If you truly do a good job, your NCOERs will reflect and your leadership will notice. While you may miss out on a school that&#39;s needed for career progression, initially, your time will come. You won&#39;t be at the lowest level unit forever and eventually you&#39;ll get your opportunity for yourself.

2021-01-31T19:29:37-05:00 2021-01-31T19:29:37-05:00 CPT Private RallyPoint Member 6709586

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>This is something that I actually wrote a paper about. The burden we have as leaders is that we often tend to focus on our duties and place them above our own needs. This is what happens when selfless-service goes too far. The Army has set up services that you can send your Soldiers to. I would leverage those resources. But there is an expectation that you take care of your Soldiers still. You may not have to do it personally. I have known many in my 20 years of service that has placed the needs of the Army above their own. It can be destructive without realizing it. I would really focus on providing some initial guidance to your Soldiers when you can and provide them resources. You may need to step in but you can&#39;t solely be responsibly for everything your Soldiers need. They need to take ownership. You need to take time for yourself. Meditation is essential. It can take many forms. You can do this by going to the gym or taking a walk in a park but you really need to focus on yourself before you became too fatigued to help others.

2021-01-31T19:41:04-05:00 2021-01-31T19:41:04-05:00 CPL Raul Perez Jr 6710615

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Delegate. Tell a senior soldier that you are putting him in a leadership position. As a Cpl, this was done a lot to me. When the special schools or duty was available, I was given first choice.

2021-02-01T09:16:35-05:00 2021-02-01T09:16:35-05:00 SCPO Private RallyPoint Member 6711331

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If you continue to ignore your personal mental and physical needs/care then at some future point in time you will deteriorate into a condition where you will not be able to help out anyone anymore. You must somehow find the time for your needs. Delegate your authority and then monitor those leaders for compliance. Trust your people but hold them accountable.

2021-02-01T12:56:15-05:00 2021-02-01T12:56:15-05:00 Sgt Dale Briggs 6715222

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>You have 3 fire team leaders, just let them do their jobs, that’s how you help them to prepare to be E5 and take your job. If your doing their job for them your not helping anyone.

2021-02-02T18:51:47-05:00 2021-02-02T18:51:47-05:00 1SG Jeffrey Mullett 6723438

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>You can never go wrong taking care of your Soldiers. HOWEVER, you are not a Babysitter or a referee. Your Soldiers have a Buddy system for a reason. You should be there to check on your Soldiers to make sure they have what they need, are dealing with each other respectfully and to make sure no one is getting into trouble. You should have an assistant Squad Leader, use them. <br />But, over all, make sure your Squad knows you have their best interest in mind. <br />Don&#39;t cover for trouble makers, they only bring your unit down. Talk to your people, get their confidence. Once you have their respect, everything else will follow.

2021-02-05T19:05:45-05:00 2021-02-05T19:05:45-05:00 Lt Col Timothy Cassidy-Curtis 6730631

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>SGT Morales, first, please let me commend you on the energy that you have been giving to taking care of your people. If I were your Commander, I would nominate you for lots of awards and decorations, and I would be sure to support your ambitions for promotion. The entire DOD needs people with your attitude, energy, and dedication!<br /><br />For this reason, I want to advise you on what to do. Please remember, this is only advice. First, go to your supervisor. Tell that person exactly what you said here. If you are not satisfied, go to the First Shirt. In this case, it would not be inappropriate to speak with the Unit Commander, as well. Tell them everything and be honest with both the good and the bad.<br /><br />You will likely be advised to delegate. That is not bad advice, and if you wanted to try that first, please feel free to give it a try. Delegation can be a wonderful thing, but you need to use it with some skill. Find somebody who wants to &quot;show you what they can do.&quot; Then give them something. It should be something real and impactful; let it be something from your plate that you can use to free up your time. If that person does well, praise them to the Shirt, the Chain, and the Commander. You will find that this works miracles! <br /><br />With that said, delegation (as wonderful as it is) might not be the answer. Or, it might not be the only answer. That&#39;s where your supervisor, the Chain, the Shirt, and the Commander come in; they will be able to see a bigger picture within the Unit, and can give you the best advice. <br /><br />Good luck! I want you to succeed!

2021-02-08T18:00:34-05:00 2021-02-08T18:00:34-05:00 SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA 6732187

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Good morning,<br />Guess what, as a Squad Leader you belong to a section, under a Section Sergeant right?<br />Just as you are tasked with looking after your soldiers, he/she is also tasked with looking after YOU.<br />You don&#39;t stop being someone&#39;s soldier because you made E5. Have a talk with your Section Sergeant about guidance and mentorship, that usually works better than asking for help.

2021-02-09T08:36:37-05:00 2021-02-09T08:36:37-05:00 1SG Robert Oberlender 6734891

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Balance? Understand that it will not be equal at all times. There will be times that you must sacrifice family time to ensure that your soldiers are well trained and prepared to deploy. That is really what &quot;taking care for soldiers&quot; means. As for family, you and your spouse MUST have a partnership. It means full communication for both of you. And taking advantage of those times you are able to spend together. Make them memorable, even if it is only &quot;alone time&quot; with each other. For each moment you are able to spend with your children, make it memorable for them. Get them to understand that you have a very difficult responsibility for your soldiers, too. When you can demonstrate to your PL and PSG that your troops are ready to deploy, you have a basis for getting a bit more family time. And your troops deserve it too!

2021-02-10T08:50:12-05:00 2021-02-10T08:50:12-05:00 SGT Gary Tob 6741747

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Call training and then delegating

2021-02-12T18:12:15-05:00 2021-02-12T18:12:15-05:00 CSM Doyle Burke 6759105

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>That is the job of NCOs! The higher you go the higher the level of care. At Senior ‘NCO levels you are also responsible for carrying out the commanders orders and leading the troops.

2021-02-18T23:47:11-05:00 2021-02-18T23:47:11-05:00 Sgt Dale Briggs 7499552

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>That’s why you have fire team leaders, they’re NCOs too. Tell them what you want and expect then let them do their job.

2022-01-27T15:28:21-05:00 2022-01-27T15:28:21-05:00 Maj John Bell 7499707

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Develop your subordinates. If two out of your team leaders cannot do your job completely in your you&#39;ve got to get focused on their development above all else. I highly recommend you read a book by Col. Dandridge Malone called &quot;small Unit Leadership.&quot;

2022-01-27T17:14:40-05:00 2022-01-27T17:14:40-05:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 7499740

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>If you don&#39;t find &quot;me&quot; time, you&#39;re going to burn yourself out. I have had to learn that as a single parent especially. The way I do it in that aspect is say there&#39;s a 4 day coming up but my daughter only has a 3 day. She goes to daycare like normal since she still has school and I get the day to myself. Or I have started my block leave a couple days early while she&#39;s still in school so I can have time to myself and end it like a day after the period they give. <br /><br />You just have to learn when to say no and not be a pushover ultimately. Also learn to delegate - I mean someone delegated things down to you right? You delegate further and then if you need to take care of something personal, you go do it. <br /><br />On the weekends, take time to do things you enjoy doing. Take advantage of any time off when you get it too.

2022-01-27T17:27:12-05:00 2022-01-27T17:27:12-05:00 MAJ Ken Landgren 7499977

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>This is just a tangent. I was an E-4 in Desert Storm and our E-6 did shit burning detail with us every day. I had a lot of respect for him. When I was commander of a unit I did funeral details, spring clean-up, and gate guard with them. I am fairly confident it helped their morale to see the old man rolling up his sleeves.

2022-01-27T20:18:29-05:00 2022-01-27T20:18:29-05:00 SSG Leonard Cartwright 7500055

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Your doing fine..just take care of your squad and advice the other people so they can help themselfs

2022-01-27T21:02:53-05:00 2022-01-27T21:02:53-05:00 2021-01-31T07:26:46-05:00