Posted on Jan 18, 2015
What is the ONE thing EVERY young Officer must know?
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There's been quite a few discussions about how clueless young Lieutenants (and Ensigns) are when they hit the Operating Forces (and we often are). Here it is: your chance to publicly and permanently record the one topic you think is the most critical for us to know when we step in at your unit. With some luck, maybe those young officers will read it here and have the epiphany they need privately and everyone will be better off for it.
So hit it: let all the experience of the RP community be brought to bear: immediately after commissioning what's the ONE thing every O-1 must know ?
(Just so no one gets hurt feelings, lets say you're telling this guy here-but before his promotion and deployment in the photo-I cant find any pics from commissioning.)
So hit it: let all the experience of the RP community be brought to bear: immediately after commissioning what's the ONE thing every O-1 must know ?
(Just so no one gets hurt feelings, lets say you're telling this guy here-but before his promotion and deployment in the photo-I cant find any pics from commissioning.)
Platoon Commander
Officer
Leadership Development
Junior Officers
Edited 11 y ago
Posted 11 y ago
Responses: 182
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* NCOs are a resource...in every step of the way. Use them to your benefit.
* Set the standard in PT.
* Stick to your word.
* Recognize those for their acheivements, a saying comes to mind; dance with the person that brought you.
* When you get a sideways glance on a COA, ask for a second or even their opinion, ask for options.
* Walk a mile in my shoes.
* Get to know your Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, and Sailors. Meet their families.
* Keep an open door policy, open.
* Network with other officers, and other platoons, cross-train your troops.
* Provide exteordinary training opportunities...Ie. our team was selected to go to Honduras for 2 weeks to train their troops in advance reconnaissance techniques.
* Make sure NCOES (development schools) are first and foremost in their career.
* Demonstrate compassion when a troop is having a personal family problem.
* Reward your best troops with HOOAH schools...which will benefit them in the long run.
* Provide extra training for your shit-birds, some troops do not learn like others, and need alternate options.
* Stick your neck on the line when your NCO'S are correct, and leadership is wrong.
* Recommend awards and follow through with them, because there are many hands in the pie.
* Provide opportunities to work with and train foreign troops...they will remember you forever.
* Make timeliness an a priority.
* Learn to communicate.
* You will invariably meet an NCO that butts head with you from the get-go, fix that best you can, if he isn't on board, tell him his options, including moving to another unit.
* Set up your unit for success.
* Stand out amongst your peers and take those that follow you with you when you can.
* Develop a niche in training, fill it, master it, get recognized. Ie. We would do 100 push-up at every formation, we were told that we may not be the smartest, but we will be the strongest.
* Set the standard in PT.
* Stick to your word.
* Recognize those for their acheivements, a saying comes to mind; dance with the person that brought you.
* When you get a sideways glance on a COA, ask for a second or even their opinion, ask for options.
* Walk a mile in my shoes.
* Get to know your Marines, Soldiers, Airmen, and Sailors. Meet their families.
* Keep an open door policy, open.
* Network with other officers, and other platoons, cross-train your troops.
* Provide exteordinary training opportunities...Ie. our team was selected to go to Honduras for 2 weeks to train their troops in advance reconnaissance techniques.
* Make sure NCOES (development schools) are first and foremost in their career.
* Demonstrate compassion when a troop is having a personal family problem.
* Reward your best troops with HOOAH schools...which will benefit them in the long run.
* Provide extra training for your shit-birds, some troops do not learn like others, and need alternate options.
* Stick your neck on the line when your NCO'S are correct, and leadership is wrong.
* Recommend awards and follow through with them, because there are many hands in the pie.
* Provide opportunities to work with and train foreign troops...they will remember you forever.
* Make timeliness an a priority.
* Learn to communicate.
* You will invariably meet an NCO that butts head with you from the get-go, fix that best you can, if he isn't on board, tell him his options, including moving to another unit.
* Set up your unit for success.
* Stand out amongst your peers and take those that follow you with you when you can.
* Develop a niche in training, fill it, master it, get recognized. Ie. We would do 100 push-up at every formation, we were told that we may not be the smartest, but we will be the strongest.
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
* Hold your NCOs accountable.
* Make yourself accountable.
* Find an awesome mentor.
* Be a mentor.
* Recommend your very best troops to become commissioned.
* Never borrow money from your troops.
* Do not place yourself on a pedestal.
* Learn Be Do the very definition of Integrity...I've seen some NCOs make some seriously stupid decisions in front of their peers.
* Make yourself accountable.
* Find an awesome mentor.
* Be a mentor.
* Recommend your very best troops to become commissioned.
* Never borrow money from your troops.
* Do not place yourself on a pedestal.
* Learn Be Do the very definition of Integrity...I've seen some NCOs make some seriously stupid decisions in front of their peers.
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To realize you are new in the military and to attach yourself to a good sergeant who will teach the important issues of leadership. Don't think you know everything, seeking good advice is not a weakness but rather a strength that will help you in the future.
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Every young officer needs to know; "you need to listen to your senior enlisted guys!" I see way to many young "know-it-all" officers that come straight out of OBC or ROTC in college and what-not. "Hey look, I'm the LT here, and you have to listen to me." This is probably the most irritating thing I've heard in my military career. Yes, granted I'm only a 10 year E-6, however, these guys/girls are just coming in and barely have a year or so in and they expect all those, whatever their ranks may be, under them to just bend a knee and bow to them. Ok, sorry rant over. So like i said at the start, LISTEN TO YOUR SENIOR NCOs. THEY'VE BEEN AROUND A WHILE AND HAVE THE EXPERIENCE THAT YOU NEED TO LEARN FROM. And for the love of God, LTs, ya'll don't know everything! That's the First Sergeant!
SSG Booze
SSG Booze
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find your platoon sgt.....tell him how much you'll appreciate all the advice, help & direction he can provide!!! Then "LISTEN"!!!!
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Capt Richard I P.
Cpl Charles Thompson, cautions for humility work both ways. I recognize that some 2ndLts hit the fleet with too high an opinion of themselves, but they are in the position they are for are for a reason-and respect has to be mutual. As a Marine, you get a 2ndLt who is much more trained than an equivalent ranked officer in another service. Ask yourself what you truly want from a brand new Officer (surely you don't want a meek type who acts like a 'boot' PFC, standing at parade rest for "experienced" Lance Corporals-as parodied by Max Uriarte over at 'Terminal Lance' )
http://terminallance.com/2013/04/15/terminal-lance-262-the-bootenant/
Think about what you really want from that new 2ndLt then record that advice here, permanently for all to see, and maybe the next one will read it before showing up to the platoon with your friends in it.
http://terminallance.com/2013/04/15/terminal-lance-262-the-bootenant/
Think about what you really want from that new 2ndLt then record that advice here, permanently for all to see, and maybe the next one will read it before showing up to the platoon with your friends in it.
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Cpl Charles Thompson
No sir your absolutely correct, and staying closed minded due to a bad experience I was in.I apologies. If i.offended anyone.
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Capt Richard I P.
Cpl Charles Thompson It takes courage and wisdom to offer a public apology, my kudos for demonstrating both.
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Best advice I ever heard from an Officer came from his dad. This guy was a LtCol when he told me the story. He said as a new Lieutenant and had just graduated college, his dad, an old retired Master Sergeant gave him some advise on how to succeed in his first few years of service. When he was headed out to his first assignment his dad told him to 'find a good E-7, get in his hip pocket and don't come out till your an 0-3'. I loved hearing that. Blessings to all you good Officers out there. I've been blessed by your leadership and friendship thru the years.
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SSG Buddy Kemper
Brother I can think of a few old NCOs going all the way back before Desert Storm....made me who I am. I'd hug 'em if I could. God bless all the troops!!!
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Lots of good gouge in this discussion and I don't want to be redundant.
One thing that I would like to recommend that I haven't seen listed, would to be establish a good relationship with your unit's Senior Enlisted Advisor. With any matters relating to enlisted folks: pay; uniforms; orders; re-enlistments...the list goes on and on the SEA is usually the SME.
Additionally, the SEA is the right person to go and see if you are not getting the proper assistance from your LCPO/SNCOIC/NCOIC, of coarse while keeping your supervisor in the loop. We are promoting folks very fast and a new CPO or SSgt may not have the experience required to properly train and mentor a JO. This is something that the SEA can normally adjust.
Personally, on my last tour I spent just as much time in the CMC's Office as I did in the XO's cabin seeking advice.
One thing that I would like to recommend that I haven't seen listed, would to be establish a good relationship with your unit's Senior Enlisted Advisor. With any matters relating to enlisted folks: pay; uniforms; orders; re-enlistments...the list goes on and on the SEA is usually the SME.
Additionally, the SEA is the right person to go and see if you are not getting the proper assistance from your LCPO/SNCOIC/NCOIC, of coarse while keeping your supervisor in the loop. We are promoting folks very fast and a new CPO or SSgt may not have the experience required to properly train and mentor a JO. This is something that the SEA can normally adjust.
Personally, on my last tour I spent just as much time in the CMC's Office as I did in the XO's cabin seeking advice.
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Be humble yet confident. Learn as much as you can, and treat everyone you meet with respect. If possible, increase your social intelligence, which is the ability to manage ourselves & our relationships effectively. This includes Self-Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness and Social Skill.
Leadership is about people, and that is what you learning!
Leadership is about people, and that is what you learning!
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The one thing? To make sure you wash your hands after going potty. You are a big boy/girl and mommy is not there.
If I have only one thing I have to go back to the basics?
If I have only one thing I have to go back to the basics?
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MSG Brad Sand
Capt Richard I P.
A little? Me? You do have to admit that it is very good advice. Personal hygiene IS very important, and I doubt few other have thought to point this out? Additionally, we are able to quickly gage if the new officer is able to follow instruction and know what we can build on. Last, IF they are not doing this, it is something I really want to know before they come into my AO...it is the cold and flu season after all.
A little? Me? You do have to admit that it is very good advice. Personal hygiene IS very important, and I doubt few other have thought to point this out? Additionally, we are able to quickly gage if the new officer is able to follow instruction and know what we can build on. Last, IF they are not doing this, it is something I really want to know before they come into my AO...it is the cold and flu season after all.
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MSG Brad Sand
Capt Richard I P.
Before this is done, I am going to have you adding hand washing to all new soldier coming into your commands.
Before this is done, I am going to have you adding hand washing to all new soldier coming into your commands.
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What he/she really knows and doesn't know, and don't be afraid to ask for advice or assistance.
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