What information do I need to address in a letter to my Battalion Commander, as a new 2LT going to my first unit?

2016-01-16T22:22:42-05:00

Response by LTC Yinon Weiss made Jan 16 at 2016 10:45 PM

2016-01-16T22:45:26-05:00

I don't recall new Lieutenants having to write a formal letter to their Battalion Commander when coming to their first unit... though this could be a unit by unit practice. If you were to write such a letter (assuming it was standard practice), keep it to one page max, and I would recommend focusing on three things, in the following order:

1) How you plan to contribute and learn. This is where you want to highlight yourself as humble, enthusiastic, a team player, and to showcase your knowledge of officer and NCO relationships.

2) Your own leadership approach/philosophy. This is something you would want to share with your first platoon anyway, so you might as well write it down here too and be consistent. Hopefully you have something worthwhile to say here.

3) Briefly show that you know something about the unit's history, its lineage, and its heroes. Express how you plan to live up to that reputation, to work tirelessly to continue its success, and to serve in memory of those who have come before you.

I think this is much more powerful than talking about what one did at ROTC, or at a service academy, or what sports they played in college, etc. None of that matters to your troops or leaders. You'll also have a chance to discuss more personal matters when you first face to face with him./her. Lastly, make sure your spelling and grammar is 100% correct. Mistakes here can put you in a hole before you even start.

Lastly, as to point #2 above, a lot of people will say (maybe even in this thread) that 2LTs need to just show up and not say anything and learn, but I and many others disagree with this extreme. I think you show up and learn, but it does not mean you have zero thoughts on leadership. If you deploy to combat two weeks after you get to your platoon, guess who is in charge? You are. You therefore can't be simultaneously a blank slate with zero knowledge and also expected to be respected. At the same time, you have very little relative experience, so you can't act like you know it all either. It's a tough balance that junior officers need to walk. Below are two threads on RallyPoint with advice to new lieutenants. I think new officers would benefit from reviewing the mass knowledge accumulated on those discussions:

1) Best Advice to an incoming LT (Army)
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/best-advice-to-give-an-incoming-lt

2) Leadership advice for a new Platoon Commander (USMC)
https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/what-is-the-best-leadership-advice-you-could-offer-a-new-platoon-commander

Best Advice to Give an Incoming LT | RallyPoint

Officers and NCO's please give some opinion!

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Jan 16 at 2016 11:31 PM

2016-01-16T23:31:56-05:00

Before you write the letter, do some homework on the unit so you have a good idea of who is who and what is going on in the unit. Look at their official website and Facebook page. When you write the letter, you want to introduce yourself but don't list every single thing you have done. Keep it simple. I would tell him your preference of duty position as well. I did that when I was headed over to Germany as a captain and said that I wanted to go into a company command. However, I would say the main body of the letter should be some questions for the commander. First, I would ask what his command philosophy is and what his expectations are for new Lieutenants. Second, I would ask about the unit's upcoming training focus and any major training events or deployments. I would conclude the letter with letting him know that you are excited to get there and learn how to be the best officer you can be. Good luck on the start of what will be an exciting assignment.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jan 16 at 2016 11:57 PM

2016-01-16T23:57:46-05:00

- sir excited to be part of a great team and making a contribution to the mission.
- looking forward to leading a platoon and learning my craft
- mention any schools you may be attending like ALPS, UMO, etc. if timing permits and you can ask for follow on schools at BOLC, ask the BC what he needs you to get.
- if you know your arrival date, tell him. If you have spoken with your sponsor, tell him.
- you can mention a little about you, especially if you have something to offer like a second language, prior service, schools you had in the past (saw you were a medical NCO) etc. you should include your ORB as a matter of courtesy.
- one page of letter + ORB, no more.

Response by CPT Christopher Webb made Jan 17 at 2016 12:10 AM

2016-01-17T00:10:23-05:00

As an old Adjutant who read these sorts of letters and wrote back to them for the Commander ... well, you are better off just calling the Adjutant (S-1) and chatting with him/her. There's an old adage, Writing is Risky. Why? Because what you write and what is read into it, interpreted, perceived, passed around may not be what you intended. One simple spelling error, missed punctuation or other grammatical error can literally put a red mark on you before you even show up.

Here's my advice: Call the S-1 and have a chat with him. The S-1 briefs the Commander on the Officer Slate at least monthly, which includes incoming officers and potential duty positions. Having someone who has at least met you over the phone talking to the Commander about you in person, well, that can be worth many letters. AND you don't start off with putting your new Commander through the drill of reading your letter and writing you back ...

... there's a pretty good chance that the S-1 is going to write you back anyway, either signing for the Commander or just giving the Commander the letter to sign. Believe me, though, the S-1 likely won't be that happy to write the letter ... but he's very likely to want to chat with you if for no other reason than to give a better briefing of the Officer Slate to the Old Man. Instead of a Letter, you'll have a Liaison ... at least that's how it worked with me.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2016 2:31 AM

2016-01-17T02:31:39-05:00

Unless this has become some sort of new thing they tell you to do at the Basic Course, I wouldn't do it. Frankly, in my day that would come off as pretty cheesy. No one really expects a brand new LT to have a command philosophy or any of that stuff that is worthy of sharing with the Bn Cdr. As someone mentioned, it's better to just have a talk with the Bn Cdr. But that usually occurs after you have inprocessed, met your company commander, and received his take on things. Then usually the S1 will set you up for an office call with the Bn Cdr. But those are mostly for you to listen rather than talk.

So I would strongly recommend against sending a letter before you arrive, or even after you arrive. You'll have time to discuss whatever you want to with the Bn Cdr once you arrive. But it's better to get there and get a little "G2" on the situation before you do that.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2016 5:09 AM

2016-01-17T05:09:10-05:00

It seems the few folks that have commented have vastly different advice for you.

I was taught that it is a common courtesy to write a letter of introduction to your gaining commander. I've always done so. Short, less than a page, that essentially says 1) bio is attached (no need for an ORB, the S1 can pull that); 2) arrival date; 3) family information, if married or if kids are coming with you; 4) that you're excited and ready to join the unit; and 5) contact information.

Some have suggested that writing is dangerous. It is, if you sound like an ass in the letter. There's no need to talk about your military training or experience or whatever---all that can go in your bio and is on your ORB.

Some have suggested getting into your leadership philosophy and vision, talking about unique experiences, etc. these are probably ok, as long as it all fits on one page, and as long as it doesn't make you sound overly pompous.

Also, this letter will be the first impression you make on your new boss and unit. Make sure it is perfectly formatted IAW Army regulations, that there are no spelling or grammar mistakes, etc. A letter is a great way to make a great first impression---if you screw it up, though, it's also a great way to make a bad first impression.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2016 9:29 AM

2016-01-17T09:29:53-05:00

Write out a memorandum to the commander introducing yourself. Where you went to school, what you studied, what positions you would like to hold, hobbies and family. Make sure you use AR 25-50 for guidelines.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2016 11:23 AM

2016-01-17T11:23:09-05:00

Always learn something new. I never heard of sending a letter to my next unit.

In fact, on my first assignment, I reported in and the commander said have a seat while we figure out where we will use you. I wish they would tell me when a new person has been assigned before they show up.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 17 at 2016 12:51 PM

2016-01-17T12:51:07-05:00

If you must, make it short and to the point. He already has a lot going on.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Jan 17 at 2016 12:59 PM

2016-01-17T12:59:23-05:00

Understand that original orders may be changed due to operational needs. NOTHING is written in stone...well except a letter written in haste. Good luck.
I know this is above my pay grade, was just offering some insight based on the past.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 17 at 2016 1:37 PM

2016-01-17T13:37:11-05:00

I think the best question is, how do I integrate myself as a Platoon Leader. Many of us have been down that road.

Response by CPT Mark Gonzalez made Jan 17 at 2016 5:30 PM

2016-01-17T17:30:02-05:00

Unless it is specifically requested I wouldn't write a letter as an inbound LT. Just call ahead and talk to the s1 and if that fails talk to the xo. To write a letter leaves you open for a lot of risk as you may be writing someone who can be annoyed that you wrote them in the first place, the memo length, content or formatting. If the s1 thinks it is a good idea that is a different story, but you could also ask them what is normally included.
You may get lucky upon arrival and have a platoon waiting, but most likely you'll go into some sort of purgatory position where they will have time to evaluate you.

Response by CPT Michael Moffeit made Jan 17 at 2016 6:12 PM

2016-01-17T18:12:06-05:00

If you do some digging in the Fires page on AKO there is a good example briefing of how to do one. Generally, where you're from, college you went to, degree you got. Previous duty positions, prior service if you have any, family of you're married, and generally how you look forward to join the unit.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2016 10:21 AM

2016-01-18T10:21:16-05:00

When I was a 2LT, I was told to write these and did so throughout my time on active duty. Once I became a Reservist, it seems the practice is inconsistent due to lack of knowledge or folks who never learned to do so through the churn of 14 years of war.

As a battalion commander now, if a new 2LT did this, it's one more thing that would help them stand out in my head. I have 14 LTs I senior rate and I only see a handful of them throughout the year due to demographic dispersion. As mentioned before, it can be a double edged sword so call the adjutant and also have someone proofread it before you mail it or click send on your email. Ultimately, stick to an introduction, your anticipated report date, and that you're enthusiastic to join the team. ORBs and bios won't have much to tell me for a pre-post BOLC 2LT reporting to his/her first command since you haven't had a chance to prove yourself.

Good luck.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2016 8:26 AM

2016-01-19T08:26:48-05:00

Write the letter (very few do)! I'll offer a few points to consider.
First off, be brief and tell your future CDR something that is not on your ORB, things that will occur prior to your arrival to the unit, or something that you were not able to update on your ORB - your school and major is on the ORB. Are you married, kids, schools while in route, when you think you will arrive, happy to be part of the team on their next mission (like COL Thompson states below), your POC information during the move, and even what job you are hoping for. As a Current BN CDR with almost 50 LTs in the BN only 10% of the officers wrote an introduction letter. I use these to assign /re-assign sponsors. Granted pinpoint assignments can change or you might be heading to a unit that only needs to fill one slot or a unit that has many vacancies. Example, within the FA Community, three of the jobs are FSO, FSO, and PL (XO) for LTs and you really want to be an FDO first....there are 4 inbound LTs.....only 1 opening for 1 of the 6 FDO slots...who do you think will get the job they want if only 1 wrote the letter? First impressions matter, but I will admit doing your best in the job matters more (with or without an intro letter). Sound advice from CPT Webb below!

Response by CPT Brian Delrosario made Jan 19 at 2016 4:24 PM

2016-01-19T16:24:41-05:00

You mean a letter of introduction? I wrote one both times I PCSed as an Lieutenant. The future commanders never read it. If they did, they still didn't know who I was when I arrived.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 19 at 2016 5:04 PM

2016-01-19T17:04:10-05:00

I would send my military resume and any itemized goals in digits. Otherwise, you'll learn and present upon request at the CUBs and learn from the NCO from the S shops. Your intents will be the learned ops and commanders intents. Take notes and answer when called upon to report. That's what I would prep to do.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2016 7:51 AM

2016-01-20T07:51:03-05:00

LT Rhooms,

1. Congrats on stepping out with your best foot; I just did the same thing (as a Major) and we taught the Cadets at West Point to do this.
2. I would focus quickly on the tangibles...when do you graduate BOLC, when will you report.
3. Give a quick bio (married, kids, hobbies, hometown) what you majored in and where you went to school.
4. Include some information that shows you know about the BN/BDE (check the webpage, reach out to other officers there you know, etc) and let him/her know you are excited to join the team.
5. Include contact information (personal cell and/or good e-mail) if they want to reach out to you.

Agree on the one-page max.

Response by SSG Don Maggart made Mar 8 at 2016 12:56 PM

2016-03-08T12:56:47-05:00

Truth and Honesty with a Healthy dose of Respect and a Knowledge of the the Units History...MilitantCrip