1SG Private RallyPoint Member 3495 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Every Leader should have a Leaders book. The question is what do you use. The normal 3 ring binder, a smaller version of the 3 ring binder, a note book, using the flight crew check list book to hold your items, or using your phone with all the new Apps that are out there. I've use them all and had pros and cons with all of them. Looking for outside thoughts. 2013-11-05T10:48:44-05:00 1SG Private RallyPoint Member 3495

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Every Leader should have a Leaders book. The question is what do you use. The normal 3 ring binder, a smaller version of the 3 ring binder, a note book, using the flight crew check list book to hold your items, or using your phone with all the new Apps that are out there. I've use them all and had pros and cons with all of them. Looking for outside thoughts.

2013-11-05T10:48:44-05:00 2013-11-05T10:48:44-05:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 3498

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I think a leaders book is great. I use them to keep track of annual certs my soldiers have to do, because we all know how fast they lost in the cracks. Useful for counselings, NCOER's and E4 WordPics(If you guys do those).

2013-11-05T10:52:57-05:00 2013-11-05T10:52:57-05:00 SFC Michael Hasbun 3507

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><p>PRACTICAL leader's books are great. A small notebook/notepad that fits into your cargo pocket that you can readily use and reference is a great tool, and can be invaluable. </p><p> </p><p>Now, if you mean that massive binder with all the pretty pictures, and 1,001 tabs,  computer software, everything all neatly typed, a billion pages all highlighting everything your Sldiers have ever done since Kindergarten, then it's a terrible thing. At that point you are just creating a product to use when you take a Soldier to the board, and will likely never actually touch until you have to update it for the next board.</p><p> </p><p>We took a great idea and "Garrison'ed" the heck out of it.</p><p> </p>

2013-11-05T11:23:23-05:00 2013-11-05T11:23:23-05:00 SFC Cornelius Walsh 3512

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I think really any layout will work, but one thing I do not agree with is unit-standard leaders books. I was pretty well chewed out at a previous unit because mine was not set up "to standard." However, much like we all have different leadership, and study styles, we probably have different methods we like to use to track our Soldiers. I think as long as we're tracking the critical information needed, there should be no unit standard - just encouragement to lead, know your Soldiers, and ensure you can pass that information on to your replacement.

2013-11-05T11:38:18-05:00 2013-11-05T11:38:18-05:00 1SG Eric Rice 3513

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I concur with SSG Hasbun that Practical leader's books are great. We need to get out of the practice of the more is better mentality. We only need to have enough soldier data to enhance our mentorship of the sm and to ensure technical/tactical milestones are being met. Addittionally, we need to keep the leader's book and counseling packet information separate. Yes we should know our soldiers but to what extent do we take it?

2013-11-05T11:39:31-05:00 2013-11-05T11:39:31-05:00 CW2 Kameron Read 3522

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Leader's book apps are what work best for me.  You can set reminders for counselings, NCOERS, Birthdays, Anniversary, etc.  It is way more convenient.  I also keep pdfs of all the publications that I may need to reference on the spot.  Carrying around that fat binder with Army song lyrics, and NCO creed does nothing to help in the management of Soldiers.  The only drawback to going digital is that you can't reference your phone in a classified environment.  For that reason I carry the standard green army notebook with copies of ERBs pasted inside, it also helps to when I need to jot down some observances for counseling bullets.  <div><br></div><div>Really it doesn't matter what you use, as long as it works for you.  If a CSM requires you to carry around that heavy obsolete binder, then make one for the office.  But if you want functionality I would go with an app. </div>

2013-11-05T11:53:59-05:00 2013-11-05T11:53:59-05:00 SFC James Baber 27108

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Great tool if it utilized in the right context and is used to help properly mold and teach your juniors that are also needing to learn and build as well.

2013-12-25T00:48:01-05:00 2013-12-25T00:48:01-05:00 SFC Grant Johnson 27113

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Leader's Books are great, but.......... I still haven't found a format that works for ME. Trying to find the "Swiss Army Knife" Leader Book seems to be the Holy Grail of Army Leadership, but it always ends up being this CSM-mandated behemoth of powerpoint slides, assorted creeds, checklists nobody will ever use, fancy logos, Soldier's complete genome.............  Every type whether the giant 3-ring binder or the smartphone app has it's pro's and con's. For me, the smartphone apps are a real security issue, and I stopped using them. They're pretty handy though!<br>

2013-12-25T01:04:54-05:00 2013-12-25T01:04:54-05:00 SFC Private RallyPoint Member 27139

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>SFC Horton, for most units the Leader's book is required to be hardcopy for boards and such, so I do keep a hardcopy, 3 ring binder with pertinents and monthly accomplishments/needs improvements on hand.  BTW SFC, what's the name of the APP for the Leader's book.  That's probably something neat and handy I'd like to give a try.

2013-12-25T05:11:32-05:00 2013-12-25T05:11:32-05:00 SFC William Swartz Jr 27512

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Leader's Books in practice are a great tool to keep up on all your Soldiers' "business"...however I always took umbrage with the excessive layers of crap that higher dictated be in the leader's book that made it end up thicker and heavier than some of the congressional budget books I have seen. Usually ended up being a 3" 3-ring binder full of usesless crap that just became a burden to lug around.

2013-12-26T09:32:50-05:00 2013-12-26T09:32:50-05:00 MSG Scott McBride 426363

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Great topic and great responses from all. The digital "app" would never work for me but would certainly work for others easily. I found a long time ago that if you follow the basic layout in FM 7-22.7, you will have almost everything you need to maintain your data and laudable leaders tool. This is an inspectable item so try not to include anything that you really don't need in it such as Audie Murphy bio, SGT Morales bio, Loads of military illustrations, STT topics, etc...because it can take you down a road that you may not want to travel and you don't really need those items in your leaderbook any way. Don't let anyone tell you there is a standard because there never was a set standard. You will change, rearrange, add and omit data as you progress through the years and Continue to define your leadership style. You can't go wrong with 7-22.7; good luck! Army Strong!

2015-01-20T00:53:16-05:00 2015-01-20T00:53:16-05:00 2013-11-05T10:48:44-05:00