What is the best way to prepare for an interview for your first 1SG position?

2017-02-16T05:54:41-05:00

I'm currently looking at taking my first 1SG position. I have to prepare for my interview. Any advice on what I need to prepare for?

Response by 1SG Ernest Stull made Feb 16 at 2017 6:01 AM

2017-02-16T06:01:08-05:00

Know your duties and responsibility and find out all you can about the unit and its missions.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2017 6:02 AM

2017-02-16T06:02:06-05:00

1SG Steven Stankovich maybe you could give some good advice to SGM Private RallyPoint Member on this question!

Response by 1SG Al Brown made Feb 16 at 2017 8:53 AM

2017-02-16T08:53:43-05:00

Usually, you are told, not interviewed. Be yourself. You got in this position by your actions, and you won't change until you reflect back after it is over. Make easy decisions fast, and hard ones slow.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Feb 16 at 2017 9:42 AM

2017-02-16T09:42:18-05:00

Never heard of being interviewed for a 1SG position, unless it was a second one and something special, 1SG at the Drill Sergeant School, Fort Benning...Air Assault School Co 1SG..

But in any case, you’re either in because of who you are, so be yourself. Listen, think……..THEN answer.
Or you’re not in because of what the interviewer already knows about you…or HOW you answer the questions..IOW its more like you talk your way out of the job, then into it.

Kind of like a promotion board.. SPC Marquez walks into the board a success..recommended, records straight, ready to be promoted, it is his appearance and actions IN the board that may make him fail...He walked in a success.

Id start the interview by asking "SIR/CSM What do YOU expect of me?" Assuming its pretty standard stuff, all you believe you can comply with, tell them so.
As for prepare.... Know the units mission, how many SM are in it, what each platoon or section is responsible for,,, understand which sections you can provide direct and specific guidance for, and which ones you’re going to have to get educated on.
No matter the MOS or job of the SM in your charge, you can always lead them..even if you’re not the smartest one on the common tasks..
As the 1SG, no one is expecting you to be able to set up and establish connectivity with the Joint Network Node...But that section is expecting you to be able to ensure they have the resources to do so themselves. If you know how to service the on board GENSET, all better..but what is required is you get them the service supplies so they can do it, the training time to learn how to do it and the scheduled time TO DO IT.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2017 9:48 AM

2017-02-16T09:48:05-05:00

I wish I could give some insight, but my interview for Detachment Sergeant went something like this:

BN CSM: SGT Livingston, you think you can handle being the Detachment Sergeant?

Me: Yes.

BN CSM: Good. You're now the Detachment Sergeant, starting next month.

Response by CSM Thomas McGarry made Feb 16 at 2017 11:23 AM

2017-02-16T11:23:52-05:00

No suggestion on the interview, however if at all possible you want to be appointed as 1st Shirt with Orders and not in an acting 1st role. I've been out for a couple of years but there used to be a 1st Sgt School you attend and maybe they brought it back-may want to look in to it-Good Luck!!

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Feb 17 at 2017 2:13 AM

2017-02-17T02:13:10-05:00

Congratulations on your interview as a 1SG, SGM Private RallyPoint Member. Hands down it was the best job that I held in the Army. there is nothing like being a 1SG. One thing that I learned during interviews that I did, was be yourself and be honest. Don't tell the CSM what you think he/she wants to hear, tell himher what you think. Tell about your leadership styles, tell about your past leadership challenges and how you succeeded. Tell not only of your strengths, but talk about your weaknesses and how you have/are overcoming them. Just remember, the CSM will remember what is said in the interview, so be you.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2017 9:19 AM

2017-02-17T09:19:06-05:00

1SG Michael Blount any advice for this fellow Soldier??

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2017 4:57 PM

2017-02-17T16:57:38-05:00

As a 1SG you are part of a Command Team. You should have questions for that commander as well. You need to know that he will support your agenda for the company. I find that some commander only think that NCO's are beans and bullets; NCO's own individual training and enlisted professional development. Beyond that you and the commander need to get along on a personal level to make a strong team.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2017 10:23 PM

2017-02-17T22:23:22-05:00

Seeing as how I'm the 1SG in the photo, I feel I should give my .02 as well.
In my experience, if you are being interviewed for a 1SG position that more than likely means you leaned forward and went looking for a job. Good for you!
I've done the same thing since I was a SSG and have almost Never had to wait for a position that I wanted.
The guys above have pretty much summed it up; be confident, know the company you may be taking over. Their strengths and weaknesses and how you plan to improve both.
Don't be too nervous. There is a big difference in how a CSM or BC treats a 1SG compared to a SFC.

Response by MSG Bobby Ewing made Feb 23 at 2017 1:17 PM

2017-02-23T13:17:24-05:00

MSG Albert,
Not sure if you had your interview already, but Congrats on that. The fact that you are interviewing for a 1SG position says a lot. You pretty much have what you need as advice from the previous posts, so I'm just going to provide you what I experienced when I interviewed for a previous Detachment Sergeant position. The BC and CSM interviewed me at the same time. It was an informal setting in the BC's office. They introduced themselves and then asked me for a brief bio in my own words. They proceeded into a question and answer session (all 1SG/Detachment SGT position scenario based) and from their respective positions. The part that I feel made them choose me was my response when asked, "How will I improve the Detachment if selected?" This is where I brought up information about the unit. I knew the ins and outs, where it was successful and where it was not. The complete breakdown of the unit (Military/Civilians/local nationals/sections/etc.) All this information was obtained through engagements with the outgoing Detachment SGT/Platoon Sergeants/ Detachment CDR/ etc. I spent as much time with the outgoing Detachment SGT as possible to truly know the challenges of the position. This assisted me with formulating plans to tackle issues and sustain/improve successful areas. So what do you think those individuals spoke to CSM and the BC about? My name was already in their minds as someone taking initiative and could somewhat "hit the field running" vs learning on the fly. Hope this helps. Feel free to message me with contact information if you want to discuss further.

v/r

MSG Ewing

Response by 1SG John Highfill made Apr 27 at 2017 8:07 PM

2017-04-27T20:07:23-04:00

Know the BC the CSM and the CO my 1st assignment as a 1SG i had a interview with the BC. Plus learn everything you can about the unit of assignment

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Apr 28 at 2017 1:09 PM

2017-04-28T13:09:53-04:00

TOP, I was a Platoon that filled in for a my 1SG but never had to interview in front of my CSM but my CSM had faith in me for that 2 months, Never tell him what you think, tell them what you will DO BE, KNOW and DO. Yeah, Yeah LEADERSHIP and COUNSELING CSM already knows that stuff. Are you going to be the torch barrier for the soldiers and NCO and Officer and Families of the Company or Battery? You ready to lead you soldiers into combat if you have in Peace or at war. This might silly but trust me brother, Your CSM don't want to hear everyday BS like the other 1SG siting around doing nothing because you were selected to be the BEST. GO WITH IT TOP. Get back me on this. I'm retired now, but I have a lot my friends have taken their units and batteries to combat as 1SG and CSM. Best of LUCK.

Response by 1SG Mark Taylor made May 16 at 2017 6:53 AM

2017-05-16T06:53:46-04:00

If you are being considered then the positions conducting the interview process truly believe you already possess the skills required to fill that position. Always remember not only are going to be responsible for health and welfare of your soldiers, you will also be a direct link to their families. So a good home life also means a good soldier. Stressful home life means that the soldier is carrying additional stress and burdens to work. Which can affect the whole unit. Be proactive and identify these risk early on, observe your soldiers the signs will be there just camouflaged a little. Be yourself in the interview, know your unit's (Army's) mission and how to accomplish it (have a plan). You are the Senior Leader, Counselor, Tactition, and Trainer of your unit. Good luck. There is no better job or position in the Army than being a 1SG.

Response by 1SG Michael Clarke made Jun 1 at 2017 10:29 PM

2017-06-01T22:29:23-04:00

Not much more to be said here. I read the first 4-5 responses and couldn't agree more. Be yourself. YOU are the one selected for an interview, there's a reason for that. Knowing the creed, unit mission and how you can make the mission successful is a must. Challenges you've faced and overcome is worth discussing. Lessons learned can't hurt. Simply be the person they told to report!