Posted on Jan 27, 2016
What are your biggest "Lieutenant mistakes" that you made as a Lieutenant?
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So i was hoping this would be a fun thread for Officers of RallyPoint. We all made some big mistakes as Lieutenants (and maybe are still making them), and here is a place to share. Some of them probably felt like a big deal at the time, but maybe now you can laugh about them.
I'll start. I was an XO as a second lieutenant. My unit had 12 MK19 mounts for gun trucks, thing was, we didn't have MK19s. So my commander tasked me to turn them in. So, I did the paperwork, coordinated with DRMO, and turned them in (all without disposition orders). When we took the paperwork to PBO to post it, the PBO wanted to know why we turned in 33,000 dollars worth of MTOE equipment (not to us, CTA to us, but MTOE to other units in the BDE). It got pretty tense, and the commander and BDE 4 got involved. And eventually it settled down...
I'll start. I was an XO as a second lieutenant. My unit had 12 MK19 mounts for gun trucks, thing was, we didn't have MK19s. So my commander tasked me to turn them in. So, I did the paperwork, coordinated with DRMO, and turned them in (all without disposition orders). When we took the paperwork to PBO to post it, the PBO wanted to know why we turned in 33,000 dollars worth of MTOE equipment (not to us, CTA to us, but MTOE to other units in the BDE). It got pretty tense, and the commander and BDE 4 got involved. And eventually it settled down...
Officers
Humor
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 51
As a very junior and proud 2nd Lieutenant, I drove to the PX to get some gear. I couldn't find much parking, but luckily for me there was an empty parking spot right near the door. When I parked I saw a sign "General Officer", and thought "great, this is a parking spot for all officers", as in "any officer." So I parked my car (in uniform) walked in, did my shopping, and walked right back out to my car and left. Got some strange look but didn't think twice about it. Soon after that I learned that "General Officer" meant officers of the General rank (i.e. O-7 and above). I was mortified and paranoid about ever going back to that PX again.
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1LT William Clardy
Don't bet your stripes on that, SGT (Join to see).
Back when I first got assigned to the 101st (January of '79), for the first week I was able to consistently snag an empty parking spot right at the end of the parking lot closest to the barracks (and the battalion headquarters). Then one morning I came out to find my car blocked in with a note to see the sergeant major of 1/502 INF, whose HQ building just happened to be sitting right there, just across the sidewalk from my own battalion HQ. I soon learned that, underneath the packed snow and ice, my always-empty parking space was marked "CO 1/502 INF". The sergeant major was gentle enough in explaining this that my head was still firmly attached to my shoulders as I exited the building and began parking in another parking lot entirely...
Back when I first got assigned to the 101st (January of '79), for the first week I was able to consistently snag an empty parking spot right at the end of the parking lot closest to the barracks (and the battalion headquarters). Then one morning I came out to find my car blocked in with a note to see the sergeant major of 1/502 INF, whose HQ building just happened to be sitting right there, just across the sidewalk from my own battalion HQ. I soon learned that, underneath the packed snow and ice, my always-empty parking space was marked "CO 1/502 INF". The sergeant major was gentle enough in explaining this that my head was still firmly attached to my shoulders as I exited the building and began parking in another parking lot entirely...
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LCDR (Join to see)
I was a newly commissioned Navy Ensign. My parents live near Ft. Bragg, so we made a trip to the PX. I too parked in the General Officer parking not realizing it meant O-7 and above. My dad, a retired airforce MSgt, asked me if I was sure we could park there. I said, “Of course, I am a general officer.” No one said anything. They probably thought my dad was the General, which I guess would have made me his driver.
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Convincing our vehicle driver to let me drive :) Caption reads: Oct 1992 D/1-325 D-40 gets mired. Driver - 1LT Bergeron TC - SPC Lasher
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LTC Stephen Conway
SFC Wesley Arnold, Jr - I started out as the Platoon Leader's driver(as a new Spec4) so no need for me to not know how to drive a too wide humvee. I drove one for free and we drove them alot in basic. I don't miss my co-driver being asked by me clear to the right? Clear! I would not want to own one no matter how much leather you put inside!
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SSG Robert Webster
And I was the Delta Company Supply Sergeant when MAJ Glenn Bergeron performed this particular act.
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As company XO at Camp Pendleton, ordered air support (helo extraction from the field) on the last day of the fiscal year. Company Commander on leave during the week in question. They didn't say "no!" at the air conference. But HMM didn't have money for fuel on the day in question (NEVER DO ANYTHING THAT COST LOTS OF MONEY LAST TWO WEEKS OF THE FISCAL YEAR) . Left the field with a raw 2ndLt in charge while I went to Battalion to sort things out. Tried Motor T, they didn't have the fuel either. Before it was all over, the division CG was yelling at the wing CG. Helos launched. The raw 2ndLt couldn't find the LZ. Weather closed in. The Company was stranded in the field as far as you can be (about 30 miles, have to go around impact area). End result: Battalion Commander pulled out his American express and fueled up three trucks at the MCX fuel station While standing in front of the Division CG, Wing CG, Regimental CO, and Battalion CO they asked what I learned from this. My first unfortunate response was to laugh (nervous laughter, but they didn't see it that way). That laugh was my biggest screw up as a 2ndLt. It was UGLY. Fortunately, none of those fine gentleman did any permanent damage to my career. Ran into the Division CG later after he had retired. He explained that the chain-of command all went to the club afterwards and had a good laugh at my expense.
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SGT Eliyahu Rooff
Years ago when I was with an armor company, we were in the field and had the POL truck come by to top off our fuel. The guy driving it was brand-new, just out of AIT, and my M113 was the first vehicle he'd ever fueled since training. First thing I asked him when he got out the fuel coupling was if he took Mastercard or Visa. His response was "I dunno how that works. Let me check. I think it's all on credit."
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I'll tell you when I make one, I just started.. can't wait to go look for chemlight batteries and boxes of grid squares.
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SSG John Karr
CPL Pavel Romo - Fishing lures. I use them all the time when I go Blue Fishing at night.
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1LT William Clardy
He's got to be careful, SPC Marcus DeMatos. Using too much prop wash makes the flight line curly...
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SFC (Join to see)
After being assigned to post level AG and getting promoted to E7, I was sent to a tanker Bn HQ as PSNCO. My first day of in processing was a big laugh on me the HHC 1sgt after talking talking we me and signing in processing checklist sent me to HHC Supply and ask for me to get a box of TRAVEL LOCKS and return them to his office. I had no idea what he was asking for, supply SGT asked me if I was being funny.
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SPC Phillip Vossler
Not to be too big of a smartass, "SIR", but your tag says 1st LT, sooooo you've already made it past 2nd LT, so what mistakes did you make? Sir? Lol, keep in mind i have my 214, LOL
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Train up in Bliss for Iraq rotation, our PL was a Taiwanese immigrant with a heavy accent, and self admitted to not being a tactical genius or great with the English language. During the route recon training we passed a possible VBIED and called it out. Right after that cadre set off the simulated VBIED. As every VC reaches for the radio to call it out, over the air the LT says "The car, it have fireworks!!" He never lived it down...
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I had a friend who joined the Navy after medical school and he related this story to me. When he was graduating from OCS or whatever they call knife & fork school for doctors, one of his classmates went down to the Navy Exchange just prior to graduation. At the NavEx he purchased his dress uniform, except it was the one in the catalog - exactly the one in the catalog - which turned out to be a full commander's uniform. Cover, ribbons, SWO pin, and sword of a full commander. The morning of graduation the LT shows up in the passageway in his new uniform to the absolute dismay of his classmates. He was laughing as he told me the story and every time I was able to get him to repeat it to others he could never finish the story without busting out laughing. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is why the Navy has Chiefs.
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ENS Matthew Fleming
CAPT Lyle Brown - i would've loved to see the expression on the AMOI's face. Did the Gunny actually have a stroke, or did his nose just bleed a little.
I went to Norwich. And my personal embarrassing uniform story was from my Rook year. I was up for Rook of the Semester, and at the board, I had been through a personal inspection already, and was put at parade rest to answer questions. We were almost done, when the Cadet Command Sergeant Major (now an 0-7 in Army Special Forces), decided to give me the once-over again. He walks behind me and does the intimidating, heavy-breathing thing. Then he starts laughing. "What the F--- is that, Fleming?!?!" And he bends down and pulls a piece of leather out of my shoe. Apparently, when I had been doing facing movements, the leather heel insole had come detached and slipped out the side. All I could think of was that my Rook Buddies had put in hours helping me get my uniform ready - and I had apparently blown it. They whole board starts laughing. I maintained my bearing, though and got a verbal and written commendation for not losing my cool. The CSM told me after the promotion parade he was proud of me, but that "damn that was funny." I came in second. They gave me Rook of the Month. It made me absolutely OCD about uniforms from then on, though!
I went to Norwich. And my personal embarrassing uniform story was from my Rook year. I was up for Rook of the Semester, and at the board, I had been through a personal inspection already, and was put at parade rest to answer questions. We were almost done, when the Cadet Command Sergeant Major (now an 0-7 in Army Special Forces), decided to give me the once-over again. He walks behind me and does the intimidating, heavy-breathing thing. Then he starts laughing. "What the F--- is that, Fleming?!?!" And he bends down and pulls a piece of leather out of my shoe. Apparently, when I had been doing facing movements, the leather heel insole had come detached and slipped out the side. All I could think of was that my Rook Buddies had put in hours helping me get my uniform ready - and I had apparently blown it. They whole board starts laughing. I maintained my bearing, though and got a verbal and written commendation for not losing my cool. The CSM told me after the promotion parade he was proud of me, but that "damn that was funny." I came in second. They gave me Rook of the Month. It made me absolutely OCD about uniforms from then on, though!
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CAPT Lyle Brown
The Gunny never saw it. A couple of the guys classmate friends grabbed him the instant he walked in the door and rushed him to the bathroom.
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I was a 2LT Environmental Science Officer leading a slice element to JRTC at Fort Polk in the mid-90s. I hadn't slept for about 3 days and we were in the assembly area waiting to convoy into the box. Our company 1SG and I were in the last vehicle. A "highly experienced' 1LT was to lead the convoy into the box some 40 or so miles away. Waiting for our turn to depart, both the 1SG (I was driving the HMMWV) and I fell asleep. I woke up first and realized we were all alone - the rest of the serial left without us. I woke up the 1SG and we drove like a bat out of hell to get to the RP. We were sure our gooses were cooked. Problem was we never caught up the the rest of the convoy and we arrived to an empty RP. We had no radios and thought we had really badly screwed up. Eventually they came limping in, the highly experienced 1LT having gotten the entire convoy lost and we were there to greet them.
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SPC Marcus DeMatos
Had an LT misplace his M9 in his POV trunk when he went off-base to take a shower at his apartment while I sat in the M998 out back of the company area on a supposed "supply run" from our on-base exercise.
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SFC Wesley Arnold, Jr
Walked to the mini PX on University Compound, Mogadishu, Somalia (1993) clearing barrel and what do I find? M9 laying on the sandbags ... walk inside did my shopping and checked every holster I saw; they were all accounted for inside the PX. Walk outside and sat on the hood of my truck ... sure enough about 5min later a vehicle came in fast & hard to parking area, 2LT jumps out and runs to the clearing barrel. "Hey LT everything ok? Missing something?" ... "uuhhh, well" ... "I think I might have something that belongs to you." Don't know what the LT thought was worse having his M9 missing or having to admit it to a MP he left it.
I saw the same LT one more time (before either of us re-deployed home) he tried to avoid eye contact at first ... but as we passed each other I gave the greeting of the day and he just tapped his holster as we passed. (and said nothing)
I saw the same LT one more time (before either of us re-deployed home) he tried to avoid eye contact at first ... but as we passed each other I gave the greeting of the day and he just tapped his holster as we passed. (and said nothing)
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SGT Sunny Lalingua
considering black hawk down, I would have licked your boots had i been that LT back in Mogadishu, in 1993. I would probably have done more...wonder where that LT is now? Did he make it of of Mogadishu? "This is my safety, sir"
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Preparing for deployment to Desert Shield, my company was the first from 2AD to deploy. I was the XO. We had a very short time to get everything ready to haul down to the Port of Houston. In the motor pool, preparing to deploy, and I see what I really didn't need at the moment. Four vehicles, the lead one with a little red flag with a star on it. I thought "crap! I really don't have time for this."
It was the ADC-S with the DISCOM Commander, Division G-4, and one of the FSB commanders. They were doing a tour of motor pools for deploying units. As soon as they got out of the vehicles, the General gave us the "as you were". He asked me how things were going and against my better judgement, I replied "not good sir, there's a lot of things we need that no one seems to have." I was pissed off at all of the various folks that were holding back on us.
The general asked "what do you need?" So, in an effort to get it over with, I started to go through my unprioritized list starting with a bunch of hand tools. He assigned each of the LTC/COL to get me what I needed. I was a little stunned. He and his Aide were the only one's left. Without prompting, said "Sir, I also need a power pack for one of our recon tracks, but third shop says there aren't any on post." His aide was looking at me with a look on his face that said "are you out of your f---ing mind?" The general asked "Lieutenant, don't you think a pack is a little more important than hand tools?". I paused and said "yes sir". He got in his vehicle and left.
About thirty minutes later, he returned with a third shop contact team and a pack.
It was the ADC-S with the DISCOM Commander, Division G-4, and one of the FSB commanders. They were doing a tour of motor pools for deploying units. As soon as they got out of the vehicles, the General gave us the "as you were". He asked me how things were going and against my better judgement, I replied "not good sir, there's a lot of things we need that no one seems to have." I was pissed off at all of the various folks that were holding back on us.
The general asked "what do you need?" So, in an effort to get it over with, I started to go through my unprioritized list starting with a bunch of hand tools. He assigned each of the LTC/COL to get me what I needed. I was a little stunned. He and his Aide were the only one's left. Without prompting, said "Sir, I also need a power pack for one of our recon tracks, but third shop says there aren't any on post." His aide was looking at me with a look on his face that said "are you out of your f---ing mind?" The general asked "Lieutenant, don't you think a pack is a little more important than hand tools?". I paused and said "yes sir". He got in his vehicle and left.
About thirty minutes later, he returned with a third shop contact team and a pack.
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LTC Stephen Conway
The General did not forget that he was once enlisted or a 2LT who is actually working for you and the men/women in the unit!
He knows that broken or missing equipment will cost lives. He is aware he has the power of God to help you.
I have a story that is not really related but our FOB Commander telling visiting 4 Star Admiral Mullen, Head of the JCS, that we have been in Western Afghanistan for 3 weeks now and our connex box is still in Pakistan.
He was concerned and his Aide De Camp was instantly on the cell phone tracking it down. 2 or 3 days later it finally arrived and we finally had all our cold weather gear. We came to the FOB with only one duffle bag. Flag officers can make things happen like in CPT John Sheridan 's case.
CPT Pedro Meza Col (Join to see) MAJ Ken Landgren
MAJ (Join to see) CPT L S SFC William Farrell
1LT(P) Jake Ledgerwood LTC Stephen F. CSM William DeWolf CSM David Heidke SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM Lt Gen Dan Leaf Col (Join to see) PFC Talal Al-Tunsi COL John Cole
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
He knows that broken or missing equipment will cost lives. He is aware he has the power of God to help you.
I have a story that is not really related but our FOB Commander telling visiting 4 Star Admiral Mullen, Head of the JCS, that we have been in Western Afghanistan for 3 weeks now and our connex box is still in Pakistan.
He was concerned and his Aide De Camp was instantly on the cell phone tracking it down. 2 or 3 days later it finally arrived and we finally had all our cold weather gear. We came to the FOB with only one duffle bag. Flag officers can make things happen like in CPT John Sheridan 's case.
CPT Pedro Meza Col (Join to see) MAJ Ken Landgren
MAJ (Join to see) CPT L S SFC William Farrell
1LT(P) Jake Ledgerwood LTC Stephen F. CSM William DeWolf CSM David Heidke SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM Lt Gen Dan Leaf Col (Join to see) PFC Talal Al-Tunsi COL John Cole
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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CPT Tom Monahan
I think you learned logistics from the Air Force - make sure the bowling ally is operational before you break ground on the runways.
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LTC Stephen Conway
CPT Tom Monahan - Yes, build the O club and the base housing and then supplement, like the F35 program did, for the runway and the SPs LOL just ask Mutley (he knows what the racket is LOL)
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I was an OCS graduate with 13 years prior service and then went into DCP, so I showed up to my first unit as a 1LT. They were down range for 4 months already when I caught up with them. I don't know if this is a mistake, but I can remember my BN CDR saying, "I'm sending you down to Mahmudiyah to work with the Iraqi Police. At least I know I won't have to worry about you getting killed."
I remember thinking: He either doesn't care about the new LT's life or he somehow thinks my CIB has magical powers to keep me from getting shot or blown up. That stuck with me for almost the whole deployment, until he chased me all over the country (I found out later) to pin a CAB on me. He told me he knew I would have a level head in the heat of battle. I got so offended by what he said, I couldn't see how simple his thought process was. It made me realize that the things I say may make sense in my head, but it doesn't always get received the way I intended it and my subordinates are not going to speak up voluntarily. I make it a point to get feedback on what I said to make sure it is understood and that I don't offend (when I don't mean to).
I remember thinking: He either doesn't care about the new LT's life or he somehow thinks my CIB has magical powers to keep me from getting shot or blown up. That stuck with me for almost the whole deployment, until he chased me all over the country (I found out later) to pin a CAB on me. He told me he knew I would have a level head in the heat of battle. I got so offended by what he said, I couldn't see how simple his thought process was. It made me realize that the things I say may make sense in my head, but it doesn't always get received the way I intended it and my subordinates are not going to speak up voluntarily. I make it a point to get feedback on what I said to make sure it is understood and that I don't offend (when I don't mean to).
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MSgt Walter Thomason
Nope. On both of those... (In front of two SNCO's) "No, I'm the officer here and this is how we are going to do it!"
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A1C Wayne Martin
Mustangs were a lot easier to work for, in my experience anyway. Stupidity was far less likely.
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MSgt Walter Thomason
1LT William Clardy - Your response reminds me of ol' war story. I want to start it be saying I'm not putting down or denigrating a fine officer in any way, shape or form. I had just been around for a while and had been involved with some major events throughout my career starting as a Senior Airman... I was working in Space Ops on 9-11 and it happened to be my CC's crew proficiency day. One of the craziest days of my military career because, well I'll just say when it hit the fan, everything splattered in all directions. Orders were coming from Wings, MajComs and anyone else who had the authority and most were contradicting. In Space Ops, you have checklist for everything and when we got the message for a condition change, we hit the checklist and we had one remote site that we were unable to contact. DSN, internal system communications and even commercial lines were overloaded. So after about an hour, the CC called attainment at XXXX Zulu. Not knowing the status of one of our sites after an attack on our nation, and not hearing the CC state that he waived that site, I responded the only way I could, "Sir, I do not concur." Now, let me backtrack a bit. While it is my crew, whenever an officer has a proficiency day and is on that crew, the Officer IS in charge. So, hearing my response, the CC stood straight upright, walked off the Ops floor, and next thing I knew, the Chief of Training and the Chief of Operations Standardization walked in asking questions. Had it been something else less serious than 9-11, I more than likely would not of said anything and logged it. I hope he has come understand I had his back, not contempt. I noted he was a bit hyper at the start of the shift, I admired his command style and believed I would have been more disrespectful to place him in a position to fail. After things settled down, I was able to contact the site and called attainment within the 24 hour criteria.
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