Posted on Oct 27, 2013
What is the best advice you can give a Jr Officer?
41.1K
378
128
13
13
0
Mentorship
Officers
Junior Officers
Professional Development
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 90
18
18
0
I would say the best thing for a brand new LT is to not take criticism personally. You got to have thick skin to learn from your mistakes and allow the NCOs to teach you. At the same time though reserving yourself to make decisions. Be a student of your craft and leadership and keep developing yourself mentally. The fundamental art of learning to adapt to overcome an obstacle and keep charging forward is one that will make you an outstanding Officer. Always take care of your Soldiers, they are your lifeblood. Know their limitations, but continue to push them to achieve their full potential. Your success as a leader is developing your Soldiers to become their best.
(18)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
Great advice, Sir. A leader can only be as successful if he's leading his Soldiers towards success.
(5)
(0)
LTC Stephen Conway
Lessons I learned as an Officer:
1. Being unfairly 'relieved- for- cause' as a 1LT is not the end of the world especially if you give a fair and written rebuttal to your situation. I was relieved as S1 for not making the daily battle update briefs. I had no S1 PAC nco (he was on the main post and no cell phone coms either) and nobody was with me (not even the S4) at the CTCP at Yakima training range in 2002. The Bn XO said not to worry and he would inform the battalion commander and yet I had nobody there to give me a ride nor go in my place and the battalion commander fired me anyways. I had gotten screwed said my fomer company commander (at the time an Xo for an MP BN). My documentation did not prevent me from being approved for CPT by the Army Promotion board in 2003. I took my promotion delay letter for 3 years delay on taking my 0-3.
2. If you are in the ARNG: if you make 0-3 on the promotion board and you can't get promoted in your unit due to politics or no slots and you want your rank now instead of later, don't take the promotion delay letter from HRC but leave the unit and go into the IRR get your 0-3/CPT and go back in the ARNG or go in the USAR and find a slot.
3. Acting battalion Commander/Major can't be your Senior rater on an OER.This happened to me. The Brigade G3 made him rewrite it as the rater and write it more fairly than it was originally and the G3 became the Senior Rater.
4. Get your rater and senior rater's support form and try to see where you need to be with schools or experience to work on his job experience and qualifications and get promoted.
5. Be physically fit and maintain a 290+ or 300 on your apft. I was not the best officer in the past but my APFT score overcame alot of discrimination. When a 40 something officer could run under 14 minutes and go over the max on pushups and situps,it made the commanders think differently of me. Just my wisdom as an older soldier.
I look forward to reading your comments so I can continue to grow as well.
1. Being unfairly 'relieved- for- cause' as a 1LT is not the end of the world especially if you give a fair and written rebuttal to your situation. I was relieved as S1 for not making the daily battle update briefs. I had no S1 PAC nco (he was on the main post and no cell phone coms either) and nobody was with me (not even the S4) at the CTCP at Yakima training range in 2002. The Bn XO said not to worry and he would inform the battalion commander and yet I had nobody there to give me a ride nor go in my place and the battalion commander fired me anyways. I had gotten screwed said my fomer company commander (at the time an Xo for an MP BN). My documentation did not prevent me from being approved for CPT by the Army Promotion board in 2003. I took my promotion delay letter for 3 years delay on taking my 0-3.
2. If you are in the ARNG: if you make 0-3 on the promotion board and you can't get promoted in your unit due to politics or no slots and you want your rank now instead of later, don't take the promotion delay letter from HRC but leave the unit and go into the IRR get your 0-3/CPT and go back in the ARNG or go in the USAR and find a slot.
3. Acting battalion Commander/Major can't be your Senior rater on an OER.This happened to me. The Brigade G3 made him rewrite it as the rater and write it more fairly than it was originally and the G3 became the Senior Rater.
4. Get your rater and senior rater's support form and try to see where you need to be with schools or experience to work on his job experience and qualifications and get promoted.
5. Be physically fit and maintain a 290+ or 300 on your apft. I was not the best officer in the past but my APFT score overcame alot of discrimination. When a 40 something officer could run under 14 minutes and go over the max on pushups and situps,it made the commanders think differently of me. Just my wisdom as an older soldier.
I look forward to reading your comments so I can continue to grow as well.
(0)
(0)
13
13
0
1. Trust, but verify.<br>2. Sometimes, you learn a lot more from poor examples than good ones.<br>3. Know what's in the book before you decide to throw it out.<br>4. If you really want to know who runs things, find out who pays the bill.<br>5. Inter-service rivalry is fine, expected, and neccessary; holding other branches or other services in contempt is not.<br>6. Your SGM / SEL does NOT know everything. (sorry guys)<br>7. Neither does your Colonel.<br>8. And neither do you.<br>9. Leadership is a muscle, you must exercise it.<br>10. Leadership and command overlap, but they are not the same thing.<br>
(13)
(0)
MAJ (Join to see)
I think you have an outline for a book that is about to appear on the CoS Required Reading List.
(0)
(0)
LTC Stephen Conway
Lessons I learned as an Officer:
1. Being unfairly 'relieved- for- cause' as a 1LT is not the end of the world especially if you give a fair and written rebuttal to your situation. I was relieved as S1 for not making the daily battle update briefs. I had no S1 PAC nco (he was on the main post and no cell phone coms either) and nobody was with me (not even the S4) at the CTCP at Yakima training range in 2002. The Bn XO said not to worry and he would inform the battalion commander and yet I had nobody there to give me a ride nor go in my place and the battalion commander fired me anyways. I had gotten screwed said my fomer company commander (at the time an Xo for an MP BN). My documentation did not prevent me from being approved for CPT by the Army Promotion board in 2003. I took my promotion delay letter for 3 years delay on taking my 0-3.
2. If you are in the ARNG: if you make 0-3 on the promotion board and you can't get promoted in your unit due to politics or no slots and you want your rank now instead of later, don't take the promotion delay letter from HRC but leave the unit and go into the IRR get your 0-3/CPT and go back in the ARNG or go in the USAR and find a slot.
3. Acting battalion Commander/Major can't be your Senior rater on an OER.This happened to me. The Brigade G3 made him rewrite it as the rater and write it more fairly than it was originally and the G3 became the Senior Rater.
4. Get your rater and senior rater's support form and try to see where you need to be with schools or experience to work on his job experience and qualifications and get promoted.
5. Be physically fit and maintain a 290+ or 300 on your apft. I was not the best officer in the past but my APFT score overcame alot of discrimination. When a 40 something officer could run under 14 minutes and go over the max on pushups and situps,it made the commanders think differently of me. Just my wisdom as an older soldier.
I look forward to reading your comments so I can continue to grow as well.
1. Being unfairly 'relieved- for- cause' as a 1LT is not the end of the world especially if you give a fair and written rebuttal to your situation. I was relieved as S1 for not making the daily battle update briefs. I had no S1 PAC nco (he was on the main post and no cell phone coms either) and nobody was with me (not even the S4) at the CTCP at Yakima training range in 2002. The Bn XO said not to worry and he would inform the battalion commander and yet I had nobody there to give me a ride nor go in my place and the battalion commander fired me anyways. I had gotten screwed said my fomer company commander (at the time an Xo for an MP BN). My documentation did not prevent me from being approved for CPT by the Army Promotion board in 2003. I took my promotion delay letter for 3 years delay on taking my 0-3.
2. If you are in the ARNG: if you make 0-3 on the promotion board and you can't get promoted in your unit due to politics or no slots and you want your rank now instead of later, don't take the promotion delay letter from HRC but leave the unit and go into the IRR get your 0-3/CPT and go back in the ARNG or go in the USAR and find a slot.
3. Acting battalion Commander/Major can't be your Senior rater on an OER.This happened to me. The Brigade G3 made him rewrite it as the rater and write it more fairly than it was originally and the G3 became the Senior Rater.
4. Get your rater and senior rater's support form and try to see where you need to be with schools or experience to work on his job experience and qualifications and get promoted.
5. Be physically fit and maintain a 290+ or 300 on your apft. I was not the best officer in the past but my APFT score overcame alot of discrimination. When a 40 something officer could run under 14 minutes and go over the max on pushups and situps,it made the commanders think differently of me. Just my wisdom as an older soldier.
I look forward to reading your comments so I can continue to grow as well.
(0)
(0)
12
12
0
Take the time to learn from your senior NCOs before you get to a rank where everyone else expects you to really know what you're doing.<br>
(12)
(0)
9
9
0
Sir, seek out your senior NCOs, and trust them with your concerns. They are in the business of making things happen, and they should be a wealth of knowledge. Solid NCOs will help you negotiate your challenges. Leadership is about relationships. You must begin to build positive relationships day one up and down the chain of command. Don't ever confuse popularity with respect. Too much of one and not enough of the other will doom you as a leader.
(9)
(0)
9
9
0
In addition to what SGM Brainard stated, I would add this: If you are prior enlisted, please don't forget where you came from! If you've never been enlisted, take the time to talk to and get to know your Soldiers and NCOs, and attempt to understand the issues and challenges that they deal with. By no means am I saying coddle or be "buddies" with anyone, but nobody likes to work for or with someone who won't even take the time to try to understand their perspective. Communication is the key to ANY type of relationship, personal and professional. Finally, always be honest with your troops. It's better to tell the hard truth than sugar coat a problem.
(9)
(0)
Col Ken Frantz
You are so right! I was proud to have been able to first serve as an enlisted Marine and then 30 years as an Officer. I never forgot my boot camp experiences and the difference between the training we received as recruits and as officer candidates.
I never knowingly directed any of my subordinates do something that I hadn't done or wouldn't do myself; and I think that an Officer who has the fortune of having enlisted service is better prepared in many ways to fucntion as an Officer.
(5)
(0)
SSgt Gregory Guina
At the same time if you came from enlisted remember that you are no longer enlisted and allow the NCOs and SNCOs to do their jobs.
(4)
(0)
9
9
0
9
9
0
Always remember that you manage things and lead people. Never try to manage your people or you will lose their respect.
(9)
(0)
SSgt (Join to see)
Yes because if you try to manage you will hear the term 'micromanage' and right there your reputation will suffer, regardless if you are trying your best.
(1)
(0)
9
9
0
Listen to your SNCOs, recognize you don't know everything, and absorb as much as you can while you can so when you rank up you can be a better and stronger leader.
(9)
(0)
SSG Robert Blum
Absolutely agree with MSGT Cole. The worst thing an young Officer can do is come in thinking that they know all, and because of the fact that they out rank their Senior NCOS that they should not listen to their advise. The truly successfully Officers work hand in hand with their NCOs, and constantly strive to better themselves.
(5)
(0)
COL (Join to see)
Agreed ... but remember that you are ultimately responsible for your unit so get the input from your NCOs, listen to their ideas, learn from their experience. And then make your decision and stand by it.
(4)
(0)
SrA Andrew Richmond
You couldnt have said it any better sir. Most enlisted love to here that from officers because it doesnt matter what rank you are but if you are willing to listen and apply from both the officers and enlisted side you will be successful in your career!
(3)
(0)
MSG (Join to see)
MSgt Cole is spot on! Being open to learning from your subordinates is critical to your success as a young officer. Seek out learning opportunities from your senior NCOs and your peers. Do not be afraid or ashamed to admit when you do not know something.
(4)
(0)
9
9
0
My advice to a junior officer is to realize that you actually know very little about how to do your job and that by the time you figure it out, you're going to move on. The earlier you learn this, the more quickly you can start seeking out those who do know how to do it. Ask yourself, "Who is the best platoon leader in the Company?" ... hopefully, it's the CDR. "Who knows my Soldiers best?" ... hopefully the PSG and squad leaders. Junior officer are set up to learn from those around them, soak it up!
(9)
(0)
CPT (Join to see)
I've caught on to that idea of learning a job just long enough to move on to a new one. I've been lucky to have good NCOs and CPTs to help me through.
(5)
(0)
LTC Stephen Conway
other lessons for Jr. Officers:
Lessons I learned as an Officer:
1. Being unfairly 'relieved- for- cause' as a 1LT is not the end of the world especially if you give a fair and written rebuttal to your situation. I was relieved as S1 for not making the daily battle update briefs. I had no S1 PAC nco (he was on the main post and no cell phone coms either) and nobody was with me (not even the S4) at the CTCP at Yakima training range in 2002. The Bn XO said not to worry and he would inform the battalion commander and yet I had nobody there to give me a ride nor go in my place and the battalion commander fired me anyways. I had gotten screwed said my fomer company commander (at the time an Xo for an MP BN). My documentation did not prevent me from being approved for CPT by the Army Promotion board in 2003. I took my promotion delay letter for 3 years delay on taking my 0-3.
2. If you are in the ARNG: if you make 0-3 on the promotion board and you can't get promoted in your unit due to politics or no slots and you want your rank now instead of later, don't take the promotion delay letter from HRC but leave the unit and go into the IRR get your 0-3/CPT and go back in the ARNG or go in the USAR and find a slot.
3. Acting battalion Commander/Major can't be your Senior rater on an OER.This happened to me. The Brigade G3 made him rewrite it as the rater and write it more fairly than it was originally and the G3 became the Senior Rater.
4. Get your rater and senior rater's support form and try to see where you need to be with schools or experience to work on his job experience and qualifications and get promoted.
5. Be physically fit and maintain a 290+ or 300 on your apft. I was not the best officer in the past but my APFT score overcame alot of discrimination. When a 40 something officer could run under 14 minutes and go over the max on pushups and situps,it made the commanders think differently of me. Just my wisdom as an older soldier.
I look forward to reading your comments so I can continue to grow as well.
Lessons I learned as an Officer:
1. Being unfairly 'relieved- for- cause' as a 1LT is not the end of the world especially if you give a fair and written rebuttal to your situation. I was relieved as S1 for not making the daily battle update briefs. I had no S1 PAC nco (he was on the main post and no cell phone coms either) and nobody was with me (not even the S4) at the CTCP at Yakima training range in 2002. The Bn XO said not to worry and he would inform the battalion commander and yet I had nobody there to give me a ride nor go in my place and the battalion commander fired me anyways. I had gotten screwed said my fomer company commander (at the time an Xo for an MP BN). My documentation did not prevent me from being approved for CPT by the Army Promotion board in 2003. I took my promotion delay letter for 3 years delay on taking my 0-3.
2. If you are in the ARNG: if you make 0-3 on the promotion board and you can't get promoted in your unit due to politics or no slots and you want your rank now instead of later, don't take the promotion delay letter from HRC but leave the unit and go into the IRR get your 0-3/CPT and go back in the ARNG or go in the USAR and find a slot.
3. Acting battalion Commander/Major can't be your Senior rater on an OER.This happened to me. The Brigade G3 made him rewrite it as the rater and write it more fairly than it was originally and the G3 became the Senior Rater.
4. Get your rater and senior rater's support form and try to see where you need to be with schools or experience to work on his job experience and qualifications and get promoted.
5. Be physically fit and maintain a 290+ or 300 on your apft. I was not the best officer in the past but my APFT score overcame alot of discrimination. When a 40 something officer could run under 14 minutes and go over the max on pushups and situps,it made the commanders think differently of me. Just my wisdom as an older soldier.
I look forward to reading your comments so I can continue to grow as well.
(0)
(0)
8
8
0
I would like to thank each and every one of you for the advice you've given. I have and will continue to read and reflect on what is written here. There is a lot of wisdom to be found simply by asking the right people. Thank you all for your time and online mentorship.
(8)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google