What is the best advice you would give to an individual getting ready to be promoted to Sergeant?

Be a Leader and always set a good example also remember that training, mentoring, counseling and awards are key to being successful.

Mentor a younger soldier. Guiding them as they grow should be your top priority!

Fight for your soldiers and they'll fight for you.

Once promoted to SGT, you are now a leader to those who were your peers just a month ago. Your habits should change to reflect this. Now isn't the time to be a "cool" sergeant. Now is the time to be the leader you've been training to be. I won't say you can't eat with your joes, or smoke and joke out in the motor pool ever, but it sure shouldn't be habit. I believe this is the most common mistake I see made. The other one is one that I've had a hard time with. I'm a doer. I've had a hard time transitioning from the guy who takes care of all the little details to the guy who makes sure the little details get done. I've had both my platoon sergeant and Top tell me, "Not you, Brainard, tell someome else to do it!"

don't forget where you come from and be open to for help.

You don't have to know everything, but you do need to know who to turn to when you can't find the answer through research. "I don't know, ask [so-and-so]" is never the right answer. Commit to your Soldiers that you will get back to them, and follow up.

"The day Soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help them or concluded that you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership." --GEN Colin L. Powell, USA Ret.

Also... set the example for your Soldiers. Be cognizant of the things that you say and do when you thing no one is looking -- because everyone is constantly watching.

SPC(P) (Join to see) Congratulations on becoming an NCO. My advice is provide purpose in all you do, be motivated even when others are not showing and adhering leading from the front. Don't be afraid to fail.

it has been my experience that most members have a part of Military life that they excel at, be it Uniform set up, PT, Weapons Qual, etc. So, in addition to all the advice on here, what I try and do is mentor others in the aspect(s) that I excel in.

Remember it's all about the team and the mission. Don't take yourself too seriously. Keep a sense of humor.

Just remember you are a SGT not a E5 unless you only care about the pay then you're in the wrong line of work. Also remember your once peers are now your subordinates, they aren't your friends, they don't get free passes on stuff, and last but not least set the example of the professional NCO!