What are some good tips on getting more leadership as a junior enlisted soldier?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 May 2015 21:46:28 -0400

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2015 9:53 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 May 2015 21:53:03 -0400

Ask. Research.

If you ask for guidance, you should get it. In-turn, if you ask the all mighty "google", you can have your research completed. Leaders will see you are going above and beyond by researching things prior to doing anything. By saying that, you need to ensure that you "move out" when directed to do something.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 15 at 2015 10:17 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 15 May 2015 22:17:42 -0400

The whole platoon should have the attitude of Senior NCOs helping Junior NCOs, Junior NCOS helping soldiers, older enlisted expected to help younger enlisted. Give them recognition, praise, and tangible rewards. The goal should be everyone grows upward together.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2015 10:24 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 May 2015 22:24:26 -0400

Ask to be in charge of something. Show you can be in charge of something.

Response by 1SG Cameron M. Wesson made May 15 at 2015 10:27 PM

1SG Cameron M. Wesson — Fri, 15 May 2015 22:27:07 -0400

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member i can read this in two ways.

The first is you want someone to provide leadership. If this is correct, then ask for guidance and ask questions.

If what you want is leadership opportunities then I would recommend you:

1. Ask... as for responsibility
2. Volunteer... volunteer for challenging jobs... They can be short term jobs.
3. Be an informal leader... You don't have to be in charge to lead
4. Be a servant leader... Take care of juniors, peers, and seniors

Good luck and stay motivated

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2015 10:58 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 May 2015 22:58:43 -0400

Volunteer. I know I know famous last words never volunteer.

-volunteer to teach classes. 2 things will(should happen).
1. You will get task and purpose.
2. You will gain mentorship on how to properly conduct training.

Good example. One of my SPC asked me how he can improve himself. He's a sharp "kid". Asks the right questions takes initiative on numerous things. So I assigned him a class. I put a couple of restrictions on him. 1. He couldn't use the Internet. 2. He couldn't use power point. Class had to be done on a butcher board. You would have thought I took Christmas from him...lol

My mentorship to him. I showed him how to use the book to research and prepare for his class. Then I walked him thru on how to properly teach a class.

End result. He gave an outstanding class. Nervous as hell, but overall a good class. It has kind of grown now with some of the other SPC and below wanting to step up and do the same.

Yes I know that may be "old school" ie butcher board etc BUT that's how I was mentored and it worked well for me. So hey why change something if it works?

Response by SSG Melvin Nulph made May 15 at 2015 11:25 PM

SSG Melvin Nulph — Fri, 15 May 2015 23:25:33 -0400

The best way to start, is to know yourself as well as your job. Find your weaknesses and and turn them into strong points. No one wants a weak leader so make sure you are not something you wouldn't want in charge of yourself.
Understand that nothing worth having comes overnight. To be a good leader takes time out of your social life, free time & is or should be something your never finished improving on, (after all it is you we're talking about).
When you know yourself and job at your Courant rank, it's time to learn it at next two ranks above the position you hold now. The best way to make your E5 is to be ready for your E6. Sounds like a lot of work? You're right! But nothing worth having comes easy and if you are not able to be teaching the ones you're in charge of, you need to ask yourself who should be in charge?
There is so much involved in good leadership. "I know, your question will get some great answers on here from some awesome leaders" on this sight. Best of luck to you and never give up on anything you really want so you're not asking the, "What if", question later in life.

Response by CPO Joseph Grant made May 15 at 2015 11:41 PM

CPO Joseph Grant — Fri, 15 May 2015 23:41:45 -0400

nt responsibility then prove your expertise and then start taking charge. If you prove your expertise, then your leaders should give you more responsibility. Just remember this advice: if you accomplished the task/mission then your people get the cudo's. If not, you're the leader and you take the hit.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 15 at 2015 11:48 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 May 2015 23:48:52 -0400

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member In my opinion, one of the key components that is often left out of "Leadership Training" is being a good follower. Leadership is a learned trait, learned by watching others, implementing what you see them do right, and trying not to do what you see them do wrong.

I would start by being the informal leader. Be the guy anticipating what will be asked, support the leader when tasking you and your peers to do things, and step up when no one else will. You guys have to sweep and mop the floor? Instead of complaining about it, organize your peers and discover how to lead those who don't want to work.

Leadership isn't about standing around "supervising" and "inspecting" and getting loud. Leadership is about getting people to do what needs to be done, even when they don't want to. Leadership is about supporting those above you while listening to and guiding those below you. Leadership is about setting an example for others to emulate.

Trust me, you start leading those peers (and I'll bet you will have influence over a few SPC as well), everyone will notice.

Response by SGT David T. made May 16 at 2015 9:05 AM

SGT David T. — Sat, 16 May 2015 09:05:47 -0400

A good NCO will put you in charge of a detail or a class. If that isn't happening, talk to your leaders and ask for more responsibility. You can also take charge on a detail when there is no supervision. Remember who takes charge is in charge.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made May 16 at 2015 9:36 AM

Capt Richard I P. — Sat, 16 May 2015 09:36:26 -0400

Can you clarify your question?

Response by CSM David Heidke made May 16 at 2015 9:51 AM

CSM David Heidke — Sat, 16 May 2015 09:51:23 -0400

Talk to your leadership. Tell them that you want to advance and ask them how, also ask them for some assignments that will help you advance.

They will be thrilled you want to step up.

If you leader isn't much of a leader (lets face it, that could happen), find a leader you respect in the E5-E6 range and talk with them. They will help you.

Make sure you meet height-weight and pass your APFT. Your attitude is good, you should do fine.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2015 10:35 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 May 2015 10:35:56 -0400

Idk man, in my exp. Every PVT-PFC wants that position, to be in charge of something... motor pool pmcs, platoon duty, details, missions... they all want to be in charge and I will say if you're not appointed, there's a reason for that... could involve avoiding favoritism, EO complaints and such. As a private, you're sick of always being told what to do especially having more than one boss, so it's obvious "some" PFCIC(s) gets power hungry, usually just makes you a douche upon your battle buddies cus now they have to listen to your orders while having the same potential as you do. Bottom line, in charge or not, respect your peers man, i would like to assume your question is in regards to getting a waiver or something cus that should be your goal. There's a place and time for everything, just wait till you get SPC or above and you won't fall into that PVT/PFCIC issues.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 16 at 2015 10:59 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 May 2015 10:59:26 -0400

This is a concern for both millitary and civilians wanting to grow. Having expierenc in bot here are some universal, some of which others have already covered.
1. Be reliable, be were your supposed to be when your supposed to be there, doing what your supposed to be doing.
2. Be an expert in your MOS/Job. You're the primary person responsible for your education, formal and informal. In this always do thorough research and double check the viability of source material.
And practice,practice, practice-on your own time.
3. Be aggressive in taking on tasks and new responsibilities. This doesn't mean be loud and obnoxious. But if your not aggressive you will get pushed into a corner and forgotten.
4. Be helpful. Look for ways you can lighten the load for fellow soldiers and leaders, the earns respect from all those around you. Do not keep track of your favors or call them in, that's just being self-serving and others will notice.
5.Be humble. You can't do every thing your self and everyone has some thing they do better than you, recognize this ask for help from leaders and those around you and listen to those who offer advise, don't always take the advise just consider it before throughing it away.
6. Be respectful. Of every one, don't tread on some one else's turf and show proper formal respect.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 4 at 2015 3:39 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 04 Jul 2015 15:39:28 -0400

Some ways to get better chance of becoming a leader: become the expert, inspirational leader, understand the big picture internally and externally. Of course you should be cognizant of what not to do.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 19 at 2016 5:15 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 Jul 2016 17:15:21 -0400

Reading some of your comments it's clear what you want. To be a leader. The big red flag that pops up reading this is that you don't know what a leader is.

So tip one, find a mentor. Doesn't have to be your first line. Find someone in your unit that you feel you would follow into battle. Then identify why you would. Break down what that person represents to you. Over time you'll start to do this to several people and you will take those traits and apply them in your life.

Tip two, study your job. Know what your mission is for the army. Your mission fits in with the mission to the person to your left and right and the people around them and so on until it grows and becomes the army's mission. If you are good at what your supposed to do then the next person after you/below you will have an easier time filling in. People will see that and start to look at you for advise and for your knowledge.

Tip three, care for your battles. Take time know the people around you. Eventually you and the battles around you will be promoted and you'll have soldiers of your own. Everyone is an individual but all the individuals make a team. To take care of the team you need to know how to take care of an individual.

Tip four, don't be in a rush to be a "leader". Your time will come. Learn to follow. As you spend time in the army the skills and knowledge your looking for will be there laying in the road ready for you to pick up. You'll go to schools, have classes, STT, all kinds of skill enhancers. Enjoy life make mistakes now and don't be afraid to take that extra step.

All in all just enjoy life and be yourself. No two leaders are the same. Joining the army already puts you ahead of the curve compared to a good portion of the civilian population.