What advice do you wish you were given as a new Field Grade Officer (MAJ/LCDR)?

The term "Iron Major" refers to the fact that you will be expected to do difficult things and solve problems for your Battalion, Brigade and Division Commanders. It also means that you may from time to time have to intercede on behalf of your company-grade officers, NCO's and soldiers. That intercession may not always make you friends with your peers and seniors, but you must take care of your soldiers. Learn your craft, keep your sense of humor, and take care of your soldiers.

Be prepared to work longer hours and have higher expectations of everything you do, or don’t do.

Your time as a major will be rewarding and challenging. You will no longer lead Soldiers directly. At the field grade level, you will be the staff officer leader that becomes a key developer and shaper of your commander’s intent. Mentor the staff and develop COAs while driving MDMP 24/7!

PS—-In between all of the aforementioned, you’ll have to get ILE and AOC completed.

Now go out and have fun! You earned it!

Become the subject matter expert in: MDMP, TPMD, IBP, ROE, Liaison, the unit's capabilities and limitations, personnel administration, deployment/re-deployment, unit movement, Blue Forces, staff operations, etc. etc. etc. Except the the branch SMEs like the Signal Officer and Civil Affairs Officer, the other Captains are all at different levels and sometimes don't know their jobs well, so you have to be the expert. Hopefully you'll have a good maintenance officer so that you don't have to know everything. Look forward to being the battalion XO, for me it was the best job in the army.