What advice or observations do you have for someone moving into the 1SG position at a HHC BEB?

Be prepared to compete for time with the primary staff NCOs and their daily mission. My personal philosophy was I never asked for anyone to be full time exempt from DA Form 6 duties because that is the fairest way to share the load and I expected the 1SG to give me some latitude to have someone "D" from the duty roster when I needed the person. I especially expected that over other staff offices that had permanent exemptions from the duty roster. For the other stuff that comes up, bad news doesn't get easier with time. As a Staff NCO it is much easier to react when you give me a couple of weeks notice rather than a couple of minutes.

Your CSM is your best friend. You should be meeting with him/her even more often than the other 1SGs.

You need to finesse your staff - they only belong to you on paper, they really work for the BC/CSM. The staff WILL and SHOULD push back - again, they work for BN, not Co. But when they push back TOO much, that is when you ask the CSM for help. Also, utilize the S3 SGM, (s)he pretty much runs the staff, in cooperation with the XO and S3. If you, the CSM, and the SGM are all on the same sheet, you will be able to plan around their "staffiness" and they will be able to support your training and taskings.

One thing I liked to do as a Company Ops NCO in a BDE HHC was throw taskings back on to the S3. A good S3 will understand that even though you have the largest Company, you usually have the smallest amount of "available" manpower. Whenever I got tasked as much or more than the line Companies, the very first section I tasked was the S3. When they told me they couldn't support their own tasking, I would just get squinty eyed and cock my head until it sunk in. Not a card to use regularly, but one to keep if needed.

Finally, get you a good, competent Orderly Room/Ops NCO. Have this NCO help you look forward to training needs (like APFT due in next 90 days, as an example). You need to look farther out and plan better because the staff WILL have excuses. A good Ops NCO will help with that. But just because (s)he is good, don't keep him/her forever. 1 year, then let them go back to their MOS. Don't screw this NCO over career-wise.

Being an HHC/HHB 1SG in my opinion is like herding cats on ice. You will hear a million excuses and even some newly invented ones, you will need a good supply of aspirin. Just sort thru it all do the best that you can and be the 1SG that they need, not the one they want.
I was BDE HHC 1SG for a little while, I had a BG as the commander. When I took over I had an accountability formation and noticed a great deal of missing bodies. This was my first time as a 1SG and I came from an Infantry PSG background. I guess I was a little loud when I went back into the unit building and starting speaking loudly and clearly. I was using my command voice when I yelled out, I better see everyone one of you sneaky, shamming ghost out in my formation right F-ing now. I walked back outside and low and behold all sorts of NCO’s, Captains, MAJ's a few LTC's and the BG with CSM in tow came out and got into formation. I got my accountability, identified my shamers and finished up in about ten minutes. The BG and CSM both with smiles on their faces looked at my uniform and said thanks Top this is the 1st time everyone fell out for formation since he took command. I told him I don't expect him or the CSM to be in formation again as they have better things to do unlike the internet surfing contest the other were doing at their desks 90% of their days.

Worry about the things you are responsible for. The enlisted soldiers. I was 1sg of a 2 star billet HHC. Most the soldiers were officers. They are not your responsibility. There is no way you’re going to get LTC’s, full birds and general officers to join your PT formations and they take the written portion of the PT test. You’ll also have issues with other E8’s and E9’s. Theyve been there and done that. Work with them. They can be your biggest asset or your worst enemy. Most of all the E7 and below are your focus. It’s not an easy job being in the HQ leadership team but when you’ve done your 2 years and have good marks you’lol probably already have been selected for CSM academy and the rank will follow.

Join the Irondimonds group on face book.

Don't be scared of telling the CSM and CDR that the staff isn't participating in unit training.