What are some ways I can improve my command presence?

I am prior service, but that doesn't change one basic fact. We're cadets and no one expects anything of us... because we're cadets.

There's no trick to developing presence. It takes time. If you absolutely must do something, practice your D&C in the shower. Back in the day I memorized the NCO Creed by screaming it during my showers.

I would also build off the great advice others are saying here and mention that when you get to camp, as you start making friends, find a way to mention that you struggle with that leadership attribute and would like some help developing it. They might help you. And 5 weeks in the shit is the perfect place to come out of your shell if you so choose.

I leave Monday for camp, see you in the woods.

Never allow your Soldiers know that you are mad at them. It's okay to be dissapointed in them, but anger must remain a private emotion. Be thoughtful when you speak. Nothing is more powerful than their respect of you.

Great question and “command presence” can come in many forms and be demonstrated in many ways. Some good, some not so good.

Critical to successful leadership are 2 words - Trust and Integrity. These are the only “gifts” a person can give themselves and are likewise the only ones you can take away from yourself.

Always be trustworthy. Give trust and always be honest in all your actions, in front of others and in private.

Trust and your integrity can be broken in so many ways:

1) Sticking to wrong decisions because you are too embarrassed to admit a mistake.

2) Promoting mediocre performers because you “like them” at expense of talented ones so as not to endanger own position. (Also known as “playing favorites.”

3) Not caring about own subordinates, not defending them, not looking after them.

4) Asking subordinates to earn your trust. As a leader, it is on you to give them trust first, and then take it away if they do something to lose it. Trust, and you will be trusted. You must “earn” their trust first.

5) Making false promises to get someone to do something.

6) Various forms of dishonesty.

7) Misrepresenting your own accomplishments to make oneself look better at expense of others.

8) Blaming others for your own mistakes.

9) Setting up people to fail and other forms of dirty politics.

10) Avoiding responsibility like a root canal.

Trustworthy leaders:

1) do the right thing even when no one looking.

2) Do the right thing even when under pressure to do otherwise.

3) Do what's right no matter what.

"Honesty is an expensive gift. Do not expect it from cheap leaders." Warren Buffett

You are talking about leadership presence. Be yourself. Just the fact you’re doing self reflection of your own strengths and weaknesses has you on the right path to success. There’s a time to be proactive and a time to be reactive. At camp other cadets are thinking the same thing you are right now. Be confident when placed in charge. Make a decision, stand by it, acknowledge and learn from your mistakes is how you’ll earn respect of others. Don’t develop any fancy or cute phrases. Knew a cadet that started every OPORD whether he was in charge or not with the same personal catchphrase, “lets kick ass on this.” Perhaps it motivated him but it annoyed the rest of us.

You’ll be fine. Enjoy camp. Make friends cause you could run into them again down the line.

I feel your pain. I am a very reserved leader. I feel like I have great command presence despite not saying much. I lead from the front and don't ask my company to do anything I wouldn't do with them. I'm also tactically proficient so they trust that I know what I'm talking about. All of that is great but it takes time to build that trust. In a place like advanced camp, where you just show up and have to lead your peers, it's hard for guys like us to stand out. But you still can. I have found that in places such as advanced camp and Ranger school where leadership is being graded, a large part of your success will be based on how well you follow your peers when they are in charge. You do well for them and they'll do well for you. That's the key.

But as trite as it sounds, always be yourself. If you come across as fake, it will be obvious.

I am a Learning and Development Professional who managed our Leadership Development Program, Manager Training Program, and Employee Development Program. My one piece of advice is this: A reserved quiet nature is actually a strength (even in the military) when you know how to use it. Always having an opinion isn't leadership. Being extraverted isn't leadership. Being loud isn't leadership. Being aggressive isn't leadership. Your quote on being brief, etc, is perfect. You can desire to become an inspirational leader, but you cannot force it. Be who you are and be consistent. Inspiration follows respect. Don't lose that. It takes time, sometimes more time that you planned on, but that's ok. Focus on your job now. Do the best that you can do. Then when you get promoted, do that job damned well. That is all you can hope for, and believe me the long hard hours of being consistent and true to your nature will pay off in the end. You can work on your weaknesses, but it's been found working on your strengths is actually far more beneficial, because that is where most of the action happens. Good luck!

Remember some of those in your command are people first. Many under you get paid way less to to a lot of stuff and are asked to work endless hours especially in maintenance jobs so remember they are people commonly overworked and underpaid.

“Command Presence” doesn’t mean you are a “commanding” or boisterous or extroverted individual. Excellent Commanders lead with a presence of being “present” in the situation at the time WITH the Soldiers they are in stewardship to command. No matter a culture, people ( Soldiers) don’t care what you know or about your presence until they know you care about them and the situation they are involved with, with your whole being. It allows all to recognize and respect our own and others humanity. Quietness requires us to “lean in” to receive

I found it best to be fair but firm. I rarely spoke, but when I did, they all listened (for that reason). I learned to emulate leaders that I respected, and eventually I developed my own style. Always remember that you lead by example. You are not there to be friend, but a leader, a mentor. Being nice is not the same as being a friend. Be consistent and firm; they prefer consistency over all else. Be honest. Be loyal. Be Godly.

1LT (Join to see) https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/new-officers-listen-up