Transitioning from company level to brigade level officer position?

2018-08-15T18:38:57-04:00

I'm currently a platoon leader with a TPU reserve company as a platoon leader and I'm in contact with a brigade level unit to become a plans officer (slotted for CPT) for the SPO section. I was wondering if I could get some insight as to how differently everything functions, expectations, etc. since I haven't experienced things on a level higher than the company, much less a battalion?

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Aug 15 at 2018 6:58 PM

2018-08-15T18:58:59-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member everything happens at a longer interval, but there is much more going on. Companies really live in that 6-8 week training cycle and are worried about platoons (Battalion Evaluates, Company Command team trains them) and squads (Company Commander evaluates, Platoon leadership trains them). Companies are tasked by Battalions based on mission analysis of orders from Brigades.

The Brigade evaluates Companies trained by Battalions. Brigades execute missions from Division or their reporting HQs. The Brigade Command team fights the Brigade by issuing orders and making resources available to Battalions.

CPT Private RallyPoint Member If you are a SPO plans OIC, then you will likely have to review all the assigned tasks, exercises, CTC rotations and all the associated coordination meetings feeding this back to the SPO who is responsible for coordinating support to all these units and functions. If you have a DSCA mission you will be coordinating exercises and mission response with US Army North in San Antonio TX. The SPo has the challenge of balancing current operations and future operations ensuring that missions are resourced appropriately....among people who don't plan well, or plan late, or not at all.

Response by LTC Mark Overberg made Aug 18 at 2018 5:51 AM

2018-08-18T05:51:18-04:00

Talk to several officers and NCOs who are doing those jobs now. As a planner, you have to envision the future and how the operation should work, what units like the one you’re now in can do and what resources they’ll need to do it. Not enough space here to tell you. Talk to senior/experienced leaders in your unit.

Response by LTC Philip Sharp made Aug 26 at 2018 11:40 PM

2018-08-26T23:40:00-04:00

i would prefer you go a BN S4 role, then back to a company, and then move up to brigade staff. if this is the only slot to get you promoted then take it. Hopefully the DCO will look to find you a BN primary slot or a company after promotion.

Response by COL D Zimmer made Sep 1 at 2018 2:35 AM

2018-09-01T02:35:19-04:00

1LT Dong, at the company grade you are executing systems and processes. At the Brigade level and higher you are managing systems and processes. If you wish to be proficient, and 'value added', at Bde and higher, learn how the log systems and processed actually work and how they intermingle to work together. Understand what they really do, then you can help others apply the the right efforts to accomplish the right things - rather than having them chase their tails because that's the way everybody has been doing it. Good luck.