What do Soldiers expect from their leadership?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 12:55:23 -0500

General topic to get soldiers/ncos communicating what the expectations of eachother are. Keep it professional.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2015 12:57 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 12:57:02 -0500

4 day weekends

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2015 12:57 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 12:57:07 -0500

Honesty and Teamwork.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2015 1:05 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 13:05:02 -0500

In general, I think soldiers want their leaders to take care of them and back them up when needed. I found a long time ago that me personally, I'd do what you tell me cause your tank dictates it. But if you earned my trust and respect, I'd go to hell and back for you. Show a genuine interest in your soldiers. They can smell it a mile away if anything you do for them is only to beef up your evaluation. Believe that, if nothing else.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2015 1:09 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 13:09:21 -0500

Integrity and honesty. No one wants a leader who is just going to delegate and dictate from the rear. I can't stand not doing my share and often will take care of everything for my team. I want my guys taken care of and to give them the tools they'll need to move forward with their careers.

Response by SGT Ryan Fritz made Dec 6 at 2015 1:19 PM

SGT Ryan Fritz — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 13:19:00 -0500

*their

Attention to detail

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2015 1:22 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 13:22:56 -0500

I think soldiers should expect their leaders NOT to be 2 faced, to tell them like it is, do NOT abuse their rank. If you are a 2nd lt, and treat me 1/2 way decent Monday, and Tuesday you get promoted to 1st Lt, don't treat me like a doormat Wednesday.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2015 1:25 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 13:25:10 -0500

Honestly, for me, I just ask my leaders to help me be the best NCO I can. I ask my Soldiers to let me know when I'm slacking and Falling off as an NCO, because I'll let them know when they are falling off , as well.

That's honestly all I ask. I can deal with the cutthroat tactics, the he said she said, the last minute details and all the dishonesty. I can deal with that because I know there are others in a worse situation than me.

But yea, all I ask is to keep me on point if I start slipping..my first priority is these 2 Soldiers, and if there's q better way to lead, share the knowledge with me...that's it, I'm pretty simple lol

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2015 1:27 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 13:27:00 -0500

Honesty, fairness, the ability to lead from the front and the gonads to stand up for your subordinates.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2015 3:48 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 15:48:47 -0500

Honesty!! Also, guidance to what right looks like! Someone they can look up to and trust ! Knowing that that NCO has they're back when they're right and when they're wrong !

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 6 at 2015 9:27 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 21:27:56 -0500

Treats soldiers with dignity and respect. Has genuine concern and can lighten the mood with fun events once in awhile. Will bat for them. Always thinks about safety and maximizes the soldiers prep time by informing them as soon as possible about plans.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 6 at 2015 11:32 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 06 Dec 2015 23:32:08 -0500

I would also add to the responses like taking care of your soldiers and promoting teamwork biz don't micromanage left your subordinates do their job you gotta supervise them of course but don't breathe down there next Thur discourage them from Ron giving input into such things as how we could do the task better or easier

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2015 12:02 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 12:02:46 -0500

Purpose direction and motivation

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 7 at 2015 6:33 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 18:33:34 -0500

Just be helpful

Response by CPL Howard Conover made Dec 8 at 2015 8:17 AM

CPL Howard Conover — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 08:17:32 -0500

What soldiers should expect, and "rightly" should, is a demonstration of professionalism as a soldier representing the United States Military and the United States. In leadership they should see confidence and know that their leaders trust those under their command to get the job done.

Response by MSG Floyd Williams made Dec 8 at 2015 9:19 AM

MSG Floyd Williams — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 09:19:04 -0500

This is what I believe that will work for leaders, and encourage and trust their leadership:
1) Being Honest and Loyal to his/her subordinates.
2) Lead by example and make some sacrifices within reason for the good of the soldiers as long as it is life saving or progress.
3) Always communicate no matter if the information is important or not.
4) Trust your subordinate leaders and soldiers to get the job done.
5) If training is going on if all possible be a part of it.
6) Take ownership to any failures that you could have prevented.
7) DO NOT PASS THE BUCK or DODGE RESPONSIBILITIES dumping it in someone else's lap, and give credit where it is due to the person or people who deserves it.
8) Always make time to encourage and motivate your soldiers.
9) Allow time for yourself to settle your mind and body for a little while, no one is a machine we all have a breaking point.
10) Preparation and Readiness at all times so that your soldiers can follow your lead.
11) Being willing to stand out and don't be a part of the crowd do the right thing even if it means standing along, sometimes it is lonely at the top but being a leader comes with it.

Just to name a few!

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2015 10:10 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 10:10:30 -0500

I hate micro management. It takes the ability to stomach a level of risk. When a leader gives you the freedom of execution it a sign they believe in you. They will spot check but they are also willing to allow you to make mistakes. This takes great communication and time management only achieved through teamwork. The leader needs to take responsibility for whatever their team does or fails to do. Most situation where leads get upset is the result of surprise or someone not taking responsibility for their actions. If you communicate up the ugly quickly it allows your leaders the max time to fix it before it gets ugly. It allows them to inform their leaders and not get ambushed by their bosses. Do your job well. Know the tasks above and beside you and below you. If something starts to slip say something or fix it. Remember the success of the team takes everyone working together. Anyone working with me can correct me or anyone else in the organization. The goal is to fix it before it someone outside the organization makes the correction. It's. Not covering things up its correcting them before they get out of hand. Counsel your subordinates for the GOOD and the bad. The good counseling make getting awards easier. Give awards for achievement not just service that don't always add up to the next level of award. Awards don't cost you anything. My goal was always to have each Soldier receive an achievement award and a service award. But you gotta balance it with discipline. Stay on top of problems and if you tried everything don't be afraid to ask for help (article 15).

Response by SFC Dave Hartsell made Dec 8 at 2015 12:08 PM

SFC Dave Hartsell — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 12:08:02 -0500

As leader I've have always made myself available no matter what! It didn't matter to me if a soldier needs you no matter rank or the situation my self have always been there! No matter what

Response by SGT Kenneth Duncan made Dec 8 at 2015 12:36 PM

SGT Kenneth Duncan — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 12:36:15 -0500

Your subordinates are your team. They are the ones that you will be leading into battle. They need to depend on you and you need to depend on them. I went from E1 to E4 in 12 months. 12 months later I was promoted to E5. And at that time I became a section Sgt. My responsibility was 2 BFVs. And the men that were on them. I pulled many s**t details because I always watched out for my guys. If they really screwed up, I came down on them. My 1st Sgt. was always telling me that NCOs stick together no matter what. And I was always telling him that that was BS. My guys weren't slaves. One of the reasons that I got out was, one of my guys showed me a list. I noticed that it was all NCOs from the 1st Sgt. on down. My name was not on it. He told me that all of the E4 and below agreed on, if we ended up in war. Each of those names had an assigned person to shoot them in the back of the head. And they all wanted me to lead them. Of course while I was in, a lot of the guys that joined were given 2 choices, sign up or go to jail. It was re-up time for me then, I got out. I had done 9 years. I went to work at the post office when I came home. After working there for 11 years, I hit a 4 point bull elk while riding my motorcycle to work. I was retired with 20 years of service. That was 10 years ago. I just paid off my house on 80 acres 2 years ago. I have started finding gold.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 8 at 2015 2:44 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 14:44:43 -0500

This is a big one: fairness in the positives and suffering.

Response by SGT Chris Stephens made Dec 8 at 2015 2:54 PM

SGT Chris Stephens — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 14:54:52 -0500

All I ask of my leaders is to allow me to handle my team of Soldiers and not insert themselves into every situation. I have officers who like to interject into situations that they have no place interjecting. I have senior NCOs who do the same. As a junior NCO, it's still a learning process. Give me the mission or task and let me run with it. Unless it's a safety issue, let me make mistakes and then sit me down to go over those mistakes. I have to learn how to think on my feet and come up with solutions, but I'm never going to do that if I'm not given the chance to fail. And who knows? I could surprise you with how proficient I am in something. I could do something in a way you never thought of, and it expedites a process.

Response by SPC Byron Skinner made Dec 8 at 2015 3:18 PM

SPC Byron Skinner — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:18:20 -0500

Sp4. Byron Skinner. Easy question. No nonsense leadership. No coddling those who can't cut it, get rid of regardless of rank. Men who can make a decision, make an order understood, and when then bitching starts say "at ease" are leaders. A Rifle or Calvary Platoon is no place for creative and individual thinkers either in the ranks or leadership. The mission is very clear kill the enemy: the only ROE is " if you wound them they are suspects, if you kill them they are enemy." In the US military there are only two rolls. Those that kill and those who support those who kill. Leadership is the facilitation of that mission.

Response by COL Ramon Nadal made Dec 8 at 2015 10:03 PM

COL Ramon Nadal — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 22:03:00 -0500

As someone who taught leadership at West Point and has spent ten years or so occasionally lecturing on leadership around Army units or posts, I would say the first requirement is professional competence. The leader has to demonstrate he knows his job. The second issue is demonstrable concern for his soldiers. In combat Sergeants, lieutenants and Captains lead by example. You have to demonstrate that you are worthy of your soldiers. And you should be an approachable and caring person that soldiers can talk to.

Response by SSgt Hal Longworth made Dec 8 at 2015 10:19 PM

SSgt Hal Longworth — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 22:19:45 -0500

I'm going to keep it real simple. I was fortunate to ride in on the coat tails of WWII and Korean War veterans still serving. Old School. The most valuable teaching: "Take care of your troops and they will take care of you." Simple as that; works both ways up and down the chain.

Response by PFC Matthew Pollino made Dec 9 at 2015 5:49 AM

PFC Matthew Pollino — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 05:49:16 -0500

This may be a tad bias, but I would like to see leaders who treat their soldiers with equality. A leader who will get their hands dirty with you (if situation permits) A leader who stands up for their soldiers. I might HAVE to do something you tell me, but there is a major difference between HAVE and WANT. Treat me with respect and I will want to do things for you. Lastly I NEVER want to see another toxic leader! Although that is a far fetched, toxic leadership is a major problem in today's military.

Response by Capt David Vriezen made Dec 9 at 2015 9:26 AM

Capt David Vriezen — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 09:26:39 -0500

Integrity. Rare not to find in in military leadership, rare to find it outside of the military.

Response by SFC Jerome Ludwig made Dec 9 at 2015 9:35 AM

SFC Jerome Ludwig — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 09:35:05 -0500

set the example

Response by SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres made Dec 9 at 2015 9:43 AM

SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 09:43:59 -0500

Why not look at the many, many, posts asking the very same question? I even posted one like twol months ago. Before you post, look and see if the post is already in existence. In my case it was, but a reasonable amount of time had gone by.

Response by SSgt Michael Cox made Dec 9 at 2015 10:56 AM

SSgt Michael Cox — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 10:56:05 -0500

The one thing I really would have loved to see would have been a surprise inspection that was actually a surprise inspection instead of command informing us a week in advance and then completely shutting down the mission to clean the base or work area so it would be pretty for the general. Sure some heads may roll if what the general saw was really bad but I really think that they should see what the base is like on a daily basis.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 9 at 2015 11:00 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 11:00:58 -0500

Something that i saw today that bugs me. When leaders use there rank to push to the front of lines. I get it senior leaders often have things to do. But nobody has a meeting or appointment at 0500.

Response by SPC Jeff Whitten made Dec 9 at 2015 11:48 AM

SPC Jeff Whitten — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 11:48:53 -0500

Agree with a lot of what I've read from others on here, so no need for me as a newby to add more. I do know I always appreciated NCOs with a sense of humor, as well as the more obvious qualities you look for in leaders.

Response by CSM Felipe Mendez made Dec 9 at 2015 11:55 AM

CSM Felipe Mendez — Wed, 09 Dec 2015 11:55:23 -0500

Honesty, respect and be treated as leaders wants to be treated. Honesty: Being “honest” with the soldiers under your command build trust and team integrity. In addition, it let soldiers know where you as a leader stand and where (he/she) stand within the unit/team.
Respect: Given respect to all soldiers is one of my most important value. I value their opinion, their concerns and their action. When given “respect” there is no wiggle room for them to be out of line, because they/their comrades will keep each other in check. Soldiers will value your opinion, the leader’s decision making approach and you as a leader.
As a leader, I evaluate every time there was a change of duty station, leadership position or unit movement. To do so, I used the “NCO Creed”. To get an accrued evaluation of your duties/responsibilities as a “leader/NCO”, such evaluation has to be honest and fair within self. We as leaders must be ready and able to make changes, adjustment and accept out leadership short falls. Following each sentence of the “NCO Creed” I got a true sense of my weaknesses or areas that I could do better. You owe it to yourself, but especially to those under your command, the chain of command and the entire leadership channels.
Don’t spent too much figuring out what the soldiers expect of you, but instead: what you expect of yourself as a leader and how to achieve it. Once you, as a leader have a good assessment of your true leadership values and place them in motion, soldiers under your command will follow. Never bend the rules, look the other way and especially, never ever said “it’s not my business”. Once a leaders put on that great uniform, he is no longer an individual; he is representing his team, company, Battalion, Brigade, Division and finally the “Army”. Never let the opportunity pass of correcting a rule violation by any soldiers regardless how minor you thinks it is, never pass the opportunity to praise a job well done or punish those whom violate the rules which govern our way of live. Who knows, that soldier that you failed to correct of punish when breaking the rules may become “your soldier” as well as the one you praised for a job well done. Leader is a 24/7 commitment.

Response by SSG Delanda Hunt made Dec 10 at 2015 2:34 PM

SSG Delanda Hunt — Thu, 10 Dec 2015 14:34:33 -0500

To lead by example will be a start. Wearing the uniform with pride, physical fitness, proper grooming and self discipline is some of the things young service members like in a good leader. Remember Mission accomplishment is first and you do that by ensuring that your soldiers are trained to the best of your ability.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2015 1:14 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 01:14:36 -0500

I expect my leadership to be mature, yet easy going/laid back, no unnecessary chickenshit. I expect them to teach what they can and be willing to listen to someone even if they are of lower rank. They should be approachable, don't try to be Gunny Hartman. And treat everyone equally. I want to see them doing the same work I am or at least contributing to the task at hand, not using their rank to sham out of it. And Honesty.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2015 7:27 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 13 Dec 2015 19:27:26 -0500

Provide purpose, direction and motivation!!!!! Lead by instilling the Army Values in their style of leadership! Most importantly, they want you to care about them! It's more than just an employee, it's a brotherhood/sisterhood!!!!

Response by SSG Buddy Kemper made Dec 15 at 2015 8:26 AM

SSG Buddy Kemper — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 08:26:22 -0500

love....though they mite not know it yet. leadership is love

Response by 1SG Juan Darby made Dec 15 at 2015 8:52 PM

1SG Juan Darby — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 20:52:00 -0500

What soldiers should expect is a demonstration of professionalism as a leader. Leader's needs to take responsibility for whatever their team does or fails to do. A leader has to demonstrate he knows his job and must be concern for his soldiers. And for me as an NCO the creed was my guide: No one is more professional than I. I am a Noncommissioned Officer, a leader of Soldiers. As a Noncommissioned Officer, I realize that I am a member of a time honored corps, which is known as “The Backbone of the Army. Competence is my watch-word. My two basic responsibilities will always be uppermost in my mind: Accomplishment of my mission and the welfare of my Soldiers. Officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties; they will not have to accomplish mine. I will earn their respect and confidence as well as that of my Soldiers. I will be loyal to those with whom I serve; seniors, peers, and subordinates alike. I will exercise initiative by taking appropriate action in the absence of orders. I will not compromise my integrity, nor my moral courage. I will not forget, nor will I allow my comrades to forget that we are professionals, Noncommissioned Officers, LEADERS!