What are the differences between a Battery/Company XO and an HHB XO?

2021-08-28T01:55:15-04:00

I am coming up on the end of my PL time, and will most likely be taking over as an XO in my BN. However, I might have the opportunity to serve as the BDE HHB XO. Can anyone speak to the differences or opportunity costs of taking one position or the other? Thanks.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 28 at 2021 5:13 AM

2021-08-28T05:13:39-04:00

As a Company XO you wil be the senior LT who generally oversees maintenance and or Company administrative duties. Essentially whatever the CO requires of you. It provides the trainjng in areas that will better prepare you for Company Command. As for HHB at BDE it is a similar situation with a few more headaches having to deal with field grades who often have an opinion outside that of the Comapny Commander. They are generally equal in prepping for your Command time. The decision between the two, if the Brigade XO/Commander ask for you, you go.

It’s a win, win as long as you apply yoursel.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2021 6:46 AM

2021-08-28T06:46:49-04:00

Not an XO obviously, but work hand in hand with mine, an HHC. Regular C/B/Ts are easy because there is less property and only 1 priority. HHC/B/Ts are more difficult because they have more property and each section and staff function have their own thing to do. It should still be 1 priority, if your unit has unity of command, but each section has different ways to complete the priorities. Typically the HHC/B/T XO spots are a second XO position because it is more complicated.
Some advice for wherever you get placed, if you need manpower to accomplish tasks, go to your 1SG and coordinate with them. XOs don’t task and it will be easier for your subordinate units if taskings come from 1 person instead of being nickeled and dimed from 1SG and XO.

Response by CPT Lawrence Cable made Aug 28 at 2021 7:56 AM

2021-08-28T07:56:30-04:00

Make a 2LT Battalion XO? Or are you referring to taking an XO position with one of the Companies/Batteries? Serving in the Brigade HHC would get you more exposure at the top and allow you to see a level of operations you wont see at BN Level, but essentially your job would be the same, except you have the Brigade Staff and Commander to keep happy.

Response by MSG Thomas Currie made Aug 28 at 2021 1:09 PM

2021-08-28T13:09:21-04:00

If you prefer migraines over regular headaches, you definitely want the HHB XO job.

1SG Bradshaw nailed it, but may have sugar coated it just a bit -- or perhaps his unit has only the finest professionals in all the primary staff positions.

The HHB/C/T CO/XO/1SG positions are all graduate courses in tact and diplomacy

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 30 at 2021 12:13 PM

2021-08-30T12:13:19-04:00

XO is Staff anywhere. It often counts as Line though.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 31 at 2021 9:23 PM

2021-08-31T21:23:08-04:00

I was an XO twice, once for an HHC. The HHC had less than 1/4 of the property that a line unit had. Less property = less maintenance = less to do, but also less development towards dealing with property as a commander. You’ll also have to deal with a lot of staff officers who may or may not play nicely. Line unit XOs usually outrank everyone in the company, besides the CDR, so it is relatively easy to get things done.

Odds are that you will have to orchestrate at least one round of Change of Command inventories. Take careful notes of what worked and what didn’t, because that will help you out down the road.

If you want to stay in and command someday as a CPT, try to get a line unit. If you can’t get one, learn from the line unit XOs who will be taking an “L” every single maintenance meeting.

The best thing you can do as an XO is to look out for your commander, especially with property accountability. When I was a 2LT starting out as an XO, my BN XO told me, “your job is to defend your commander at all costs.”