What is the most important leadership position in the Military?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 03:49:40 -0500

My answer: Team leader
(Squad leader if Platoon is not big enough to have team leaders)

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 14 at 2015 12:39 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 12:39:06 -0400

I think an argument could be made for many leadership positions. Team leader is a good choice because they are down "in the trenches" working with Soldiers every day.

I guess I would say Squad Leader is also very important. The higher up the NCO chain you go, the more admin junk you have to take care of, and while that is taking care of Soldiers as well, it's not working with Soldiers directly. Still, in my experience (in the infantry, where we had real / regular squads, platoons, companies, battalions), the Squad Leader had an impact in the everyday goings on of everyone in the squad-- even in my life as a Soldier when I started out.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Mar 14 at 2015 1:46 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 13:46:33 -0400

Agreed.

Response by 1SG Cameron M. Wesson made Apr 6 at 2015 8:23 PM

1SG Cameron M. Wesson — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 20:23:46 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member Lorenzo... I would agree with you. The team leader (or SL if no teams) is the most challenging leadership position. It is a young soldiers first shot at leadership and it is normally as a leader amongst people that were your peers only days, weeks, months before. While some might argue that a platoon leaders job is tough... and it is... I would submit that they have a subordinate mentor... the PSG... and a number of SL... to help them along.

BTW... I just left Cambridge after a month at MIT last week.... it is a beautiful town and I look forward to visiting again in June.

Response by PO1 Cleve Ikaika Waiwaiole made Apr 7 at 2015 12:05 AM

PO1 Cleve Ikaika Waiwaiole — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 00:05:07 -0400

I'd have to agree. (Mainly E-5, sometimes rare-breed E-4) squad leader / team leader. They are the middle men. They take the shit that rolls downhill. They please their troops and the brass. They are the ones micromanaged when responsibilities are "passed" onto them. Mission/people/pride ooora!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 7 at 2015 12:56 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 07 Apr 2015 00:56:31 -0400

Do we have to place a label or title on the person who is the leader. They are the one who gets every one to do the job no matter what it is that needs to be done . They have the ear of the troops they are a part of . The CO may pass down the orders . But this person in the team gets the job done even when they do not have title of leader.