What are your thought on Leaders Books?

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 10:48:44 -0500

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.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 5 at 2013 10:52 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 10:52:57 -0500

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).

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Nov 5 at 2013 11:23 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 11:23:23 -0500

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.

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.

We took a great idea and "Garrison'ed" the heck out of it.

Response by SFC Cornelius Walsh made Nov 5 at 2013 11:38 AM

SFC Cornelius Walsh — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 11:38:18 -0500

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.

Response by 1SG Eric Rice made Nov 5 at 2013 11:39 AM

1SG Eric Rice — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 11:39:31 -0500

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?

Response by CW2 Kameron Read made Nov 5 at 2013 11:53 AM

CW2 Kameron Read — Tue, 05 Nov 2013 11:53:59 -0500

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.

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.

Response by SFC James Baber made Dec 25 at 2013 12:48 AM

SFC James Baber — Wed, 25 Dec 2013 00:48:01 -0500

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.

Response by SFC Grant Johnson made Dec 25 at 2013 1:04 AM

SFC Grant Johnson — Wed, 25 Dec 2013 01:04:54 -0500

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!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 25 at 2013 5:11 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Dec 2013 05:11:32 -0500

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.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Dec 26 at 2013 9:32 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Thu, 26 Dec 2013 09:32:50 -0500

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.

Response by MSG Scott McBride made Jan 20 at 2015 12:53 AM

MSG Scott McBride — Tue, 20 Jan 2015 00:53:16 -0500

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!