What are some lessons learned from being a Battalion S-6? What training/prep would you recommend?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 16:11:25 -0400

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2017 4:22 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 16:22:33 -0400

LTC John Shaw can help you with that.

You're allowed to tag 5 topics max. How about tagging an enlisted Signaleer MOS? I recommend 25U because we bounce around between so many types of units and environments, not because I was a 25U. :)

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jul 15 at 2017 4:54 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 16:54:25 -0400

Sorry I don't really have lessons learned to give you, CPT Private RallyPoint Member. I did serve in such a position, but it was in 1981 (the OLD days)! So much has changed since then nothing I could offer would be relevant in today's Army!
Perhaps of interest though, is that the MTO&E did not identify my duty assignment as S-6 back then. I was simply the Communications-Electronics (CE) Staff Officer. SGT Private RallyPoint Member

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Jul 15 at 2017 5:02 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 17:02:02 -0400

S-6 Communications and IT? S**t Capt, I was N-2 Naval Intelligence, More Precisely A COMSEC Man for the Naval Intelligence Folks! With the Current Way of the World I would be Considered Navy Equivalent My Claim to Fame is Mode Bravo. Back Up HF Comms. I would still recommend teaching folks Old Fashioned Tube HF Comms. If Ever there is a EMP, Your Computer Crap is Toast and You will have to Depend on Old School Skills.

Response by CPT Larry Hudson made Jul 15 at 2017 6:24 PM

CPT Larry Hudson — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 18:24:46 -0400

Agreed. No such thing as an O-6 in my day of service. Communications Officer was sufficient.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2017 7:25 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 19:25:22 -0400

CPT Andrew Collins- are you going into a BN S-6 shop? I would look at garrison vs deployment and then in my personnel:background, education, skills, certifications, experience, career progression, ect.
Once you get an assessment of your team you need to review your MTOE equipment and then get outside and set it up. I'd work up a few staff battle drills as well such as load plan in connex, load plan in vehicle, loan plan in TOC, TOC configuration, ect. The biggest issue you will have is in training your folks while there are competing demands.

In the field, you must understand network architecture and how it affects positively or negatively the operation. I don't know your systems but I see you are a OC/T with Div East. I am sure you have seen units attempting to send 1G data through the pipes and the information is never delivered.

Training - I'd look at every communication item and plan on a training lane like a STX lane. Set up the CPOF, FBCB2, BFT, JCR, JCR log, set up your TOC monitors, pop up MIRC Chat, set up any VTC type or tele-conference..... Get 2 personnel per unit plus your 6 Team and train and know all these systems.

I'd also get with the network folks and get an understanding on CASIs, and LIS equipment. A unit that cannot order supplies will soon have issues.

Last- know this. S6 is a tough job. The bosses SIPR goes down at 0200 and its your ass. The S-3 can't work BFT or understand how to set graphics in CPOF its your ass. So, your job is to understand the environment, understand that no one will appreciate you, but everyone wants you. Best of luck. And take care of your Soldiers. They will make you look like a communication god.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 15 at 2017 9:48 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Jul 2017 21:48:43 -0400

Everybody wants something done for them ASAP from the BN CDR down to the that young PVT, patience is a virtue in the BN S-6 and you have to make sure everyone knows that from the beginning. Also, no one notices the BN S-6, unless something commo-wise goes wrong, otherwise it like we are in the shadows.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Jul 16 at 2017 1:10 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Sun, 16 Jul 2017 13:10:11 -0400

Establish METL to guide your training. Create an SOP for your section.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 17 at 2017 11:34 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Jul 2017 11:34:25 -0400

My thoughts on this would ask the questions:
1. Is there a Brigade S6 that you'd be answering to? If that is the case, you'll be responsible for taking care of your Battalion's communications needs while you'll receive guidance from the higher tier. Getting in touch with those folks will help determine what will best help you prepare for your role.
2. Will there be overlap in your arrival and the person you may be replacing's departure to allow for transition?
3. Is the Battalion S6 NCOIC or commo chief available to help provide you what you'll need to know?

I believe the best officers I've worked for in an S6 shop are those that learn the strengths and weaknesses of the whole team, and works on developing them. Giving the soldiers opportunities to develop their skills (schools/training/certifications) and being able to respond to the unit's mission requirements will be hard to balance but important.

I've worked in many different S6 shops at different levels of organization. I know I learned a lot working in a Regimental S6, and training a lot of people who came in while the majority of the unit was deployed in both officers and enlisted. I've also learned there's a good deal of difference in type of unit and how different a garrison based 6 shop and a deployed or tactical 6 shop can be. I used to make jokes that I was a "strategic 25 Bravo" versus some of my soldiers who had more "tactical 25 Bravo" experiences. Op Tempo for a unit getting ready to deploy versus routine garrison duties are quite different.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 20 at 2017 8:21 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 20 Jul 2017 08:21:20 -0400

Sir, LTC Michael Martin hit the nail on the head so I will just add to. Understand mission command and the MDMP process. Ensure you and your NCOIC go on at least the initial recon and attend all plans working groups. Nothing is worse than someone who doesn't understand how communications work establishing the PACE plan. Know the CDRs CCIR when it comes to communications. If you know what is important to him/her you will save yourself a lot of headaches and it will also assist you in setting your priorities of work. Send all your 25U/25B to the Signal Digital Master Gunner Course. There is a rank requirement but it is an amazing course and will pay dividends for you in the long run. And make sure it is the fort Gordon course not the MRT one. There is a reason that the one in Gordon is the only one that produces a 1059. Last thing I will say is listen to your COMMO Chief. He/She has had a lot of experience at the BN level before so use it. Make your assessment of their level of knowledge though before you lean on them too much as there are ones out their who don't know much and it's your ass in the end not theirs. Have fun. Good luck.