What are the characteristics that you like to see in your junior enlisted?

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 00:41:42 -0400

We talk a lot about leadership, the qualities of a good leader, toxic leadership, and so on, but the entire military is not just leadership. Many of the members of RP are junior enlisted. So leaders (NCOs and Officers), what are the characteristics that you like to see in your junior enlisted men and women?

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2017 12:58 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 00:58:50 -0400

With very junior Soldiers I really appreciate the basics: On time, good attitude and willing to learn. As they become experienced, I look for self motivated doers as well as those that start to show ability to influence others. I expect Specialists to exhibit competence as they are often the workhorse I depend on to carry out the tasks that have been delegated down through me by those above. Specialists need to be seeking out more responsibility and starting to act like NCOs.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2017 10:15 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 10:15:54 -0400

Right place, right time, right uniform. Willingness to learn and listen. Be respectful and candid. Have a thick skin with the understanding that you will fail. It is how you handle failure, learn from it, and apply the lessons that will make you a great experienced Soldier, a competent one. Learn from others' mistakes. Be open to learning and finding mentors and other Soldiers that succeed and apply what you find in their success. Understand your profession is in arms and it is to serve and everyone else you work with is in the same profession.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Oct 18 at 2017 11:26 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 11:26:36 -0400

I liked to see initiative, honesty and dependability.

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 18 at 2017 4:55 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Oct 2017 16:55:22 -0400

When accessing the junior Enlisted, I want to see hunger, initiative and loyalty. I think those 3 things along with the Army Values will carry them a long way. When I say Hungry, Initiative and Loyalty I don't mean just to the Army. I mean have that in everything that you want to accomplish, there should be passion and fire when you hear them talk about what they want out of life whether it's in the military or not.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2017 12:23 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Oct 2017 00:23:59 -0400

Less ascots.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2017 1:49 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Oct 2017 01:49:40 -0400

First, I'd start with a centered cravat. Next I'm looking for someone who is willing to learn and has initiative to get into the profession with both hands. Then it comes down to character. You can't shine a turd. If the Soldier comes in with baggage that he can't or won't drop at the door and isn't willing to accept the traditions and ethics of the military, then he's going to cause problems that go beyond his day to day job.