Posted on Jan 29, 2019
What can I expect being the Battalion CSM's driver?
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He is familiar with me because he was my AIT CSM and now he's the CSM here at my first duty station. Besides all the normal formalities what else should I do?
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Command Sergeant Major
PFC
Command Sergeant Major PFC
Posted 6 y ago
Responses: 10
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1. Most units, you will be the BN CDR driver, CSM picks the driver. 2. Always on time/early, vehicle always green. Anticipate him, always have a map/right map. 4. Always have radio freqs set, challenge /password for next couple days. Always be Prepared!.
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LTC Jason Mackay
SGT (Join to see) - to build on what SGM Bill Frazer said...
- what ever you (over) hear, stays there. In the command suite and the vehicle, that is privileged conversation. Don't know your CSM, but many leaders think out loud. Your u have to know from them if you need to reply. Think carefully, people's careers maybe riding on it. CSMs also like the option of having the element of surprise. Don't tip off units by asking where they are (like in the field and training). Use the S3 shop. If they don't know, ask the CSM if it's ok to call the unit to confirm locations.
- get to know the places the CSM needs to go. Where to park, where to stage, where idling at the curb is ok. Typical places: BDE HQ, DIV HQ, training areas, small arms ranges, motor pools for all subordinate units, railhead, PAX terminals your nit uses to deploy/redeploy, installation HQ.
- be prepared to cover down for the Battalion Commander's driver. My BDE CDR and CSM went everywhere together.
- depending on how the HQ flows, you may need to be responsive to the BN XO and a Command Group NCO (usually a sharp E5/E6).
- you may be handed correspondence to courier. Follow the internal SOP, but make sure it has a cover sheet, who it is going to and where they are located. Most places uses a DA Form 200 as a receipt. At a minimum, who did you give it to and where.
- each HQ works a little different, but be prepared at a minimum the night prior on the events of the next day. Know where the CSM will need to be, what he needs, uniform, tactical vs TMP vehicle etc
- the CSMs tactical vehicle needs to be FMC, dispatched, topped off, and requisite gear (maps, food, water, BII, safety items, COMSEC, etc) loaded and ready. Never let the CSM be embarrassed by being deadlined, broke down, or otherwise not ready. The Motor Sergeant should be sick of looking at you. Schedule services when the CSM is on leave or by prior coordination. A good TTP is to always have the vehicle dispatched for a week, open and close it at the end of the week. Motor stables is often Monday, but he may want to use it during maintenance days. Figure this out.
- if the CSM doesn't have a gear tree, find out who the self help fix it NCO is and make one for the CSM and BC. They can put it in their office so they have their helmet, eyepro, armor and LBV ready at all times.
- maps as SGM Frazier said.
- have a notebook and pen to write down things the CSM says to remind him/her about.
- sometimes you are Johnny on the spot answering phones. Answer professionally: the unit and office, your name and rank, how may I help you? Learn how to transfer lines etc. before you do, get the name and number of the caller in case there is a disconnect.
- keep your stuff straight. Don't make the CSM fire you because of flags, bars, UCMJ, etc. maintaining PT will be a challenge at times.
- never put the CSM on the spot by getting some highspeeed thing for the CSM and not the BC.
I was a HHC Commander, DCO of a BDE, BN XO etc. saw this stuff for years.
- what ever you (over) hear, stays there. In the command suite and the vehicle, that is privileged conversation. Don't know your CSM, but many leaders think out loud. Your u have to know from them if you need to reply. Think carefully, people's careers maybe riding on it. CSMs also like the option of having the element of surprise. Don't tip off units by asking where they are (like in the field and training). Use the S3 shop. If they don't know, ask the CSM if it's ok to call the unit to confirm locations.
- get to know the places the CSM needs to go. Where to park, where to stage, where idling at the curb is ok. Typical places: BDE HQ, DIV HQ, training areas, small arms ranges, motor pools for all subordinate units, railhead, PAX terminals your nit uses to deploy/redeploy, installation HQ.
- be prepared to cover down for the Battalion Commander's driver. My BDE CDR and CSM went everywhere together.
- depending on how the HQ flows, you may need to be responsive to the BN XO and a Command Group NCO (usually a sharp E5/E6).
- you may be handed correspondence to courier. Follow the internal SOP, but make sure it has a cover sheet, who it is going to and where they are located. Most places uses a DA Form 200 as a receipt. At a minimum, who did you give it to and where.
- each HQ works a little different, but be prepared at a minimum the night prior on the events of the next day. Know where the CSM will need to be, what he needs, uniform, tactical vs TMP vehicle etc
- the CSMs tactical vehicle needs to be FMC, dispatched, topped off, and requisite gear (maps, food, water, BII, safety items, COMSEC, etc) loaded and ready. Never let the CSM be embarrassed by being deadlined, broke down, or otherwise not ready. The Motor Sergeant should be sick of looking at you. Schedule services when the CSM is on leave or by prior coordination. A good TTP is to always have the vehicle dispatched for a week, open and close it at the end of the week. Motor stables is often Monday, but he may want to use it during maintenance days. Figure this out.
- if the CSM doesn't have a gear tree, find out who the self help fix it NCO is and make one for the CSM and BC. They can put it in their office so they have their helmet, eyepro, armor and LBV ready at all times.
- maps as SGM Frazier said.
- have a notebook and pen to write down things the CSM says to remind him/her about.
- sometimes you are Johnny on the spot answering phones. Answer professionally: the unit and office, your name and rank, how may I help you? Learn how to transfer lines etc. before you do, get the name and number of the caller in case there is a disconnect.
- keep your stuff straight. Don't make the CSM fire you because of flags, bars, UCMJ, etc. maintaining PT will be a challenge at times.
- never put the CSM on the spot by getting some highspeeed thing for the CSM and not the BC.
I was a HHC Commander, DCO of a BDE, BN XO etc. saw this stuff for years.
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Congratulations SGT (Join to see)! Although it was only for about two weeks (regular driver was out for medical), being the driver for my Commander was one of the most rewarding experiences of my career.
LTC Jason Mackay has hit the important points. The rest you can feel out as you go. If I had to stress one point, it would be to learn to keep your mouth shut! The CO and CSM may discuss things in your presence they normally wouldn't. Sometimes, they may even ask your thoughts on a particular matter. Such privileged conversations are NOT for general dissemination! Betray their trust even one time and you are done for.
LTC Jason Mackay has hit the important points. The rest you can feel out as you go. If I had to stress one point, it would be to learn to keep your mouth shut! The CO and CSM may discuss things in your presence they normally wouldn't. Sometimes, they may even ask your thoughts on a particular matter. Such privileged conversations are NOT for general dissemination! Betray their trust even one time and you are done for.
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SSG Lyle O'Rorke
LTC Jason Mackay in the vehicle and the office. Had many interesting conversations with the Brigade command group during my year of that duty. Was rewarding and really helped me learn a lot. In our Brigade the CSM would let you pick a BN you MOS was in, being intel, after a year in the command group. That way you could stay technically proficient. If you didn’t last the year well the choice wasn’t yours.
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Congratulations! You have an opportunity to learn a lot just by watching and listening to the interactions.
Some of the things my drivers did: Map Recons before missions, know your routes, Set up the radios and keep them running, If you have one, set up the FBCB2 tracker. Keep the vehicle in 10 /20 standards, keep conversations you hear between the BC and the CSM in confidence there will times shit happens and they aren't going be worried about you standing there while they defuse a situation or incident. Be flexible, be ready and be timely.
Some of the things my drivers did: Map Recons before missions, know your routes, Set up the radios and keep them running, If you have one, set up the FBCB2 tracker. Keep the vehicle in 10 /20 standards, keep conversations you hear between the BC and the CSM in confidence there will times shit happens and they aren't going be worried about you standing there while they defuse a situation or incident. Be flexible, be ready and be timely.
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