What are the biggest mistakes that newly commissioned officers make?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 May 2014 20:14:35 -0400

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made May 23 at 2014 8:15 PM

CPT Jacob Swartout — Fri, 23 May 2014 20:15:39 -0400

Refuse to listen and take advice from the NCOs

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 23 at 2014 8:44 PM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Fri, 23 May 2014 20:44:04 -0400

Thinking that book smart = street smart. Goes hand in hand with what CPT Swartout said and applies in military and civilian life. I was a 2LT right out of college & ROTC w/o prior service. So I have a newly minted degree and 8 months later I finish OBC, I got it all, I know it all!

RIGHT.

Once you actually get on the job at your first duty assignment is when the real learning begins, and as my esteemed colleague points out your NCOs are your best teachers. You have all the technical knowledge and you need to learn how to apply it to the real world. There are a lot of things you need to do to prove yourself and prove to yourself that you have your leadership confidence and though the books guide you, no absolutes from an Article 15 to an AWOL to your unit's Mission & SOP to your CSM's standards can be found in those books.

Learn all, learn well and have fun doing it!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2014 9:12 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 May 2014 21:12:16 -0400

I would say that you must realize that you don't know much. You know the very basics. You have to prove yourself. I am a PS and it was hard for me to learn that. My enlisted time taught be how to be a good NCO, not a good Officer. You can draw from it but don't use it in place of experience as an officer. They are two different worlds that don't line up. I would say get as many leadership schools as you can get. In the infantry we get a lot of schools;Bradley Leaders, Mortar Leaders, Armored Recon Course, Recon and Surveillance Leadership Course, and Ranger. I got Ranger and I am going to Bradly Leaders next. This shows your men you want to learn and that you are willing to learn. I can't stand a soldier that says that they don't need a tab on their should to be a good leader. You may be right but that tab would make you a better leader.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2014 9:38 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 May 2014 21:38:50 -0400

Cadet Parham,

I have a few that I have been privy to either committing myself or watching my fellow LTs commit:

-Being afraid to make a mistake or be wrong (I was extremely guitlty of this one for a bit)

-Not developing a plan to learn their craft and profession. This is not only the depth of your current assignment but what you need for your total career plan. This needs to be wide and far reaching as well as technically versed.

-Being authoritarian. There is no need to really push ALL the time. Conversely speaking, you have to know when to make your stand and when to be a little more forceful. Tact is the key to success in both methods though.

-Someone asked a similar question, and there was an article published by a former West Pointer that had some amazing tips. I have it saved to my work laptop...so I will try to post the link to the article and the other thread so you can read it. In the article there was one amazing piece of advice that I wish I would have learned earlier: BE YOURSELF. Your Soldiers and your leaders WILL see through BS. If you are a jovial person, be a jovial person. If you are quiet, be quiet (given, I think you need to make a bit more of an effort to be outgoing at the Company level). Find the way to make your personality work and maintain the appropriate professionalism.

Congrats on the Gold GAFPB!!!! I am proud of my Silver one and in awe of the Gold one because I can not jump to save my life.

Response by SPC Christopher Morehouse made May 24 at 2014 1:26 AM

SPC Christopher Morehouse — Sat, 24 May 2014 01:26:35 -0400

Not considering that most of the soldiers "under you" have socks that have been in the Army longer then you. Respect of the bar is mandatory, respect of the officer is earned.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2014 4:09 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 May 2014 16:09:50 -0400

You know, I keep wanting to come back her and type something profound. The truth is, there are a lot of things I can tell you, but many of these mistakes are best learned by making them and internalizing them. Sometimes touching the hot stove is better than hearing about it.

I will echo what others have said: Learn by observing. Tell your NCOs what you want done, ensure they have the resources then step back and watch as they work their craft. So much of the inner workings of the platoon are personality dependent and your PSG and Squad Leaders will demonstrate

Do not be a Sea Gull leader. A Sea Gull flies in out of nowhere, makes a lot of noise, craps all over everything then leaves. Don't feel the need to change everything to put your fingerprints on the platoon. Joe knows when he is being told to do something for an OER bullet. Observe, tinker, improve, and before you know it, you will be introducing your replacement while the platoon wonders if the next guy is going to be as good as you.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2014 5:33 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 May 2014 17:33:31 -0400

Don't try to reinvent the wheel. And never, ever start a sentence with, "Well when I was at LDAC/ROTC/West Point we....."

I had a PL one time that was felt so insecure about him not having the same deployments and experiences as the enlisted in his Platoon he felt he had to some way "prove" that he had similar experiences. "I was a squad leader at LDAC so I know your job....."

Your NCOs know that as a PL your experience is limited. But they also know YOU are the one in charge. Take the advice given by your NCOs. Learn from it. Then use it to make YOUR decisons, but don't allow the NCOs to make them for you. There is a fine line between the "know-it-all LT" and the "weak LT" who choses NOT to lead.

Finally, ENJOY your time as a PL. Before you know it, it will be gone and you will be flying a desk at BN somewhere making powerpoint slides till your eyes bleed. (this last part is meant to have a little humor)

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 24 at 2014 9:22 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 24 May 2014 21:22:51 -0400

This thread was nailed in the first few posts - nothing more needing said. Any new officer who thinks he/she knows more than his/her NCOs is destined for failure.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 16 at 2014 11:11 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 23:11:30 -0400

Trying to show that you know everything. You don't. You're job as a 2LT is to lead, but also to learn. Your PSG will guide with his practical experience. Just make sure you are making good decisions.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2014 11:52 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 16 Jun 2014 23:52:12 -0400

In most of my dealings with brand new officers I've found that most of them have the, "listen to your NCOs thing" down pat, as it is drilled into your head during ROTC, West Point, OCS, and every Hollywood movie that makes officers look like bumbling idiots. I've actually found the converse to be true, in that most young officers tend to defer to their NCOs in everything and never have the balls to make an unpopular decision for being fear of being wrong or disliked. Just as in the officer world, there are great NCOs and there are terrible NCOs. Part of being a good leader is being able to take good advice and filter out bad advice. Not every NCO has the best interest of a brand new LT at heart.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2014 8:30 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 08:30:46 -0400

Wait for it

wait for it

Not Saluting 1LTs!

Sorry guys, should have known someone would go there. HAHA

Response by SSG Robin Rushlo made Jun 17 at 2014 8:44 AM

SSG Robin Rushlo — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 08:44:24 -0400

Staying out of the way of their NCOs. Let the NCO run things. Your job is to keep teh CO off the backs of your men.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2014 10:46 AM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 10:46:18 -0400

Remember that even though you don't know every Soldier, you can bet they all know who you are. You are being observed even when you don't realize it. Same goes for our SNCOs. You must set the example for them to emulate AT ALL TIMES. If not, you will quickly lose your credibility.

Response by Cpl Glynis Sakowicz made Jun 17 at 2014 12:12 PM

Cpl Glynis Sakowicz — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 12:12:50 -0400

Biggest mistakes... I can think of one right off that I've seen many times. No matter what they may think, Officers are not super-men, and they really should listen to their NCOs. Lets face it, most NCO's have been leading troops for a while, and most new officers haven't had that much experience, unless they are Mustangs, so listen, and when it serves, take adivce... mind you, not saying that's necessary constantly, but there are some circumstances when those years of experience come in handy, so don't be afraid to listen, then act.
The fact that you are asking about this, gives me all sorts of hope for those you lead in the future...

Response by MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 17 at 2014 11:14 PM

MAJ(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Aug 2014 23:14:13 -0400

I'm late to the party, but.... My advice is to be adaptable. You'll be inexperienced, but you must still think. Everyone always says to "listen to your NCOs". This is solid advice. But when you start listening to NCOs, you might find out that you get contradictory advice or recommendations. One NCO might even tell you not to listen to another NCO for various petty or good reasons. NCOs like all other human beings come in lots of shapes, sizes, and competencies. This presents a problem that you must be adaptable to overcome. Train yourself early by reading a lot, listening a lot, and then asking well thought out and critical questions. Don't limit yourself to questioning only a few people either. As a Cadet and/or 2LT, you are in a truly enviable position. Most people expect that you don't know much and they are far more willing to answer your questions of ignorance and naivete than they are to give me a pass on asking something I should already know. (P.S. I might send you a few questions to ask someone for both of us.)

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Aug 20 at 2014 4:14 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 16:14:36 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member - I will take another angle on this, though I agree that a lack of willingness to learn from NCOs is a problem I've seen in young officers. I want to add this, though -- as a young officer, perhaps you don't know a ton, but there are things you DO know and you should have conviction about that. It can become easy to think, 'Hey I'll just do exactly what every NCO tells me to do all the time' -- but that can be a bad idea at times. So my point is, know what you know and know what you don't know -- and be ready to stand with conviction when you are convinced that you know the right thing to do. Don't just always defer things because you're a new officer. You need to learn from mistakes as well. Hope I explained this well enough...

Response by SPC James Oakes made Aug 20 at 2014 4:28 PM

SPC James Oakes — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 16:28:30 -0400

Worrying too much about being liked and trying to be one of the guys with your lower enlisted. It can undercut your ability to lead and the confidence your troops have in you. I saw this a few times, but it wasn't until I had time to reflect after I got out that I realized there were officers and NCOs I worked with that I liked a lot, but wouldn't have wanted to follow into combat. Then there were some that I despised that I would have gladly trusted with my life.

The best were the ones who could strike a balance. They knew when to tone it down and let everyone relax and when to put on their leader face.

Never let us see you sucking wind. Never let us hear you complain. But laugh at a joke and occasionally let something slip by if it doesn't hurt the mission.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Aug 20 at 2014 4:32 PM

SGT Richard H. — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 16:32:18 -0400

I would suggest also not listening to people who tell you that only SSG and above are worth listening to. How many SGT's do think there are in the Army with 2-3 combat tours and 4+ years experience? In today's climate, it's a lot. Sometimes a guy who isn't a SSG is ONLY not a SSG because he doesn't have 12 months left on his enlistment.

Response by CPT Gary Jugenheimer made Aug 21 at 2014 11:25 AM

CPT Gary Jugenheimer — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 11:25:39 -0400

As a one-time "young" officer and observer of like, I would suggest that control of the ego takes an extra amount of energy....yes, you may be an officer and in charge or looked to be in charge of a platoon or staff but remember, leadership is not automatic....it is a melding of respect for those whom are under your command as well as them developing respect for you and your ability to gain their support so that as unit you can perform the unit's mission...

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2014 8:38 PM

2LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 20:38:18 -0400

Listen more, speak less.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2014 9:04 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 21:04:07 -0400

The biggest mistake I made as a fresh LT was not realizing I would get saluted at the gate. I was on my Ipad and did not salute the Soldier back. Took me awhile to realize I was even supposed to return the salute.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2014 9:34 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Aug 2014 21:34:03 -0400

Thinking everything you learned in ROTC translates into perfect English when you get to your unit. Listen to your NCOs and your soldiers and maybe just maybe we won't give you such a hard time because you're a butter bar

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2017 3:11 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 15:11:13 -0500

Don't talk, just listen. Also, once you start being given responsibilities, make yourself indispensable.

Response by 1SG Mike Case made Jan 13 at 2017 3:12 PM

1SG Mike Case — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 15:12:27 -0500

I would say the best piece of advice is to listen more and talk less. Of course being the FNG, you will be messed with but at the end of the day, attach yourself to the hip or someone who knows what is going on (like a highspeed SPC for that newly arrived AIT Soldier and maybe the PSG or 1SG if you are the platoon leader or XO). The list is truly endless of what advice you can give a new Soldier but be quiet and listen and find that person who knows what is going on and learn from them.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2017 3:20 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 15:20:12 -0500

Watch , listen , and learn, be slow to judge and careful who you emulate. Do what your told to by your leaders, don't be swayed by that guy saying 'Oh screw that he cant tell you to do that" he doesn't have your interest at heart.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2017 3:20 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 15:20:58 -0500

Latch on to someone (of your own rank if possible) who is knowledgeable and friendly, and who will show you what's going on.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 13 at 2017 8:43 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Jan 2017 20:43:39 -0500

Don't forget your military bearing. When I got to my unit I snapped to attention and parade rest, so sharply that people turned their heads. I was fresh out of AIT and I was under the impression that this was military life.

I had come to learn that it's a bit more relaxed than I had been lead to believe. Just because it's more relaxed doesn't mean we toss it out the window though. I've seen other Juniors (E1 - E4) cross the boundary of the professional relationship we're supposed to have with our NCO's and Officers and of course get nailed for it.

It might be more relaxed but don't forget who you are talking to and where you are.

EDIT

I typed this out before knowing the conversation got merged. I've never experienced a fresh 2LT outside of AIT. The only 2LT I know is a Mustang, former SSG.

Response by SFC Byron Perry made May 23 at 2017 11:32 PM

SFC Byron Perry — Tue, 23 May 2017 23:32:45 -0400

Simple, they think they know it all and don't listen and learn.

Response by SMSgt William Hassiepen made Jun 1 at 2017 2:12 PM

SMSgt William Hassiepen — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 14:12:40 -0400

Not listening to their sergeants

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 1 at 2017 5:50 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 17:50:51 -0400

Being afraid to call BS when they see it and know it.
As a young SP4 I was given these words of career advice by a Brigadier General that I was assigned to drive around Ft Bragg: "Never be in awe of a man's rank or position until you see him [deficate]* through the seat of his pants and not leave a brown stain." *the polite term for the actual word used.
You might be a 2LT, but you still have a responsibility to look out for your troops.

Response by 1LT Doug Lyle made Jul 26 at 2017 9:05 PM

1LT Doug Lyle — Wed, 26 Jul 2017 21:05:29 -0400

Not listening to senior NCO's. Talk to the Sergeants Major and First Sergeants. They will help you and teach and support you. This is from experience.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 26 at 2017 11:08 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Sep 2017 23:08:20 -0400

I agree with somw of the response here. I had a newly promoted 1LT as my platoon leader. I was a Platoon Sgt as a E-5. My platoon leader has that " I know it all" attitude and does not truly understand the rank structure. No matter how you explain it she thinks officers run the Army and NCO's only do as they are told.

Response by LCpl Bradley Otto made Sep 29 at 2017 11:16 AM

LCpl Bradley Otto — Fri, 29 Sep 2017 11:16:07 -0400

From my experiance. Thinking that what they learned at OCS and from the "BOOK" is the way it works in the field. It's really not. And we as good Marines share our experiance with them about how to get things done. Then they can mend the two together.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2018 8:17 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 15 Jan 2018 20:17:56 -0500

They often think and believe that they are more important then they actually are. No respectable NCO is going to fail at a mission because of the presence of an officer no matter what their rank is.

Response by MSgt Jim Cheek made Apr 7 at 2018 12:01 PM

MSgt Jim Cheek — Sat, 07 Apr 2018 12:01:55 -0400

Got a new commander that had a meeting with senior NCOs. He said “since we are an engineering outfit we get a lot of 2nd Ltd. “ he task us with taking them under our wing and train them. I tough, yea right, heard this before. A few weeks later we got a very young AFA grad. She came up to me and asked if I would take her under my wing? I said what?! She responded that the commander told them to ask. Great commander

Response by SGT Thomas Zoblisien made May 13 at 2018 3:22 PM

SGT Thomas Zoblisien — Sun, 13 May 2018 15:22:41 -0400

Thinking that they know everything

Response by CW5 David Heggood made Aug 16 at 2018 5:30 PM

CW5 David Heggood — Thu, 16 Aug 2018 17:30:32 -0400

Good LT's listen, take advise from their NCO's and Warrant Officers then make a decision. Bad ones think they know everything they need to know and don't take advise.

Response by CDR James Worley made Sep 15 at 2018 10:24 PM

CDR James Worley — Sat, 15 Sep 2018 22:24:27 -0400

Not recognizing the experience and wisdom of their NCO's

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2020 2:42 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 02:42:58 -0500

Biggest is not listening to your NCOs and thinking that book smarts= "Army smarts" anyone can read a book but putting it to practice is a different thing. Along with listening to NCOs also let the NCOs do what NCOs do the most annoying thing as a NCO is having some officer breathing down my neck when I'm training soldiers. Your NCOs will make or break you as an officer. We have our ways of getting rid of officers who are not good leaders.
Best of luck sir

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2020 9:27 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jan 2020 21:27:30 -0500

In my opinion it’s ego. Believe it or not one person does not know everything.

Response by CPT Kenneth Rankin made Mar 26 at 2020 6:23 PM

CPT Kenneth Rankin — Thu, 26 Mar 2020 18:23:56 -0400

Assuming command of your platoon and expecting everyone to take a bended knee as if the heavens opened as you stepped into the room...They will respect you as an officer, but that's only 10% of the respect...The other 90% you have to earn!

Response by SSG Dale London made Mar 19 at 2024 9:21 PM

SSG Dale London — Tue, 19 Mar 2024 21:21:44 -0400

Believing that when you pin on that gold bar, you've made it. Sorry, no. That isn't the moment. You'll know you've made it when the word "sir" no longer sounds like an insult when spoken by a senior NCO. Even then, if you start taking things for granted, you can be sure that "sir" will soon begin to resemble what it sounded like way back when.
Remember that serving as an officer is a privilege that comes with some pretty heavy baggage in the way of personal responsibility and accountability.