Posted on Jan 30, 2016
CPT Bct Chemical Officer
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Responses: 12
COL Charles Williams
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You don't need a book, you need to give a shit (care, genuinely care) CPT (Join to see). That said I would recommend you be well familiar with AR 600-20, and the Capstone FM(s) that governs your mission area. Next would be your mission essential tasks. 600-9 and PT should be next. Finally, put your heart and soul into "making a difference" for your Soldiers and families every day! Good luck, and enjoy it, as it will be the best job you ever have in the Army.
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CPT Bct Chemical Officer
CPT (Join to see)
10 y
Sir, thank you for your words and thank you for your service. I'll keep those words close
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CPT St
CPT (Join to see)
10 y
I would also try to establish a good working relationship with your Battalion S1, this person can be your biggest help or hindrance. They are also a fount of knowledge about HR matters and can/should give you a heads up if your evaluation/awards/monthly reports need help.
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LTC Jason Mackay
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Edited 10 y ago
Some of what you need
- your MTOE pax and equip recap
- manning roster
- last QTB
- 6 week training calendar
- LRTC
- your property book
- a command brief including critical capabilities
- 026
- high risk soldier summary
- alert roster
- basic load summary
- TACSOP
- command philosophy
- TMDE list

Load regs on your phone or tablet
- 600-20
- 600-9
- 623-3
- 735-5
- 750-1
ASAP reg
Enlisted separations
- 600-99 (support obligations)
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LTC Jason Mackay
LTC Jason Mackay
10 y
Have key staff on a roster and your phone including the SHARP, BN XO, EO, IG, chaplain, financial NCO, BDE Legal. Think about people you need to help you with a problem at 0230 on a Saturday.
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LTC Jason Mackay
LTC Jason Mackay
10 y
Take the time to laminate the local maps. Include white sands. Not a leader book item, but something you will need. Set up your maps IAW the BN TACSOP. Set up your vehicle so you can operate out of it while you out and about. Clips, mounts, boards, red lense lighting, hooks for hand mikes, dry erase markers, laminated SOP reports etc.
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LTC Jason Mackay
LTC Jason Mackay
10 y
Ensure all your kit is set up IAW Local standards.
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LTC Jason Mackay
LTC Jason Mackay
10 y
Take your leader book, put it in a back pack with pens, note book, headlamp, a charger for your duty phone (12v and AC). Take this with you everywhere, so when the crisis hits you can direct it from where ever you are. Life does not stop while you are in command.
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MAJ Military Personnel And Administrative Specialist
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AR -600-20 Army Command Policy, AR 635-200 Administrative Separations, AR 735-5 Property Accountability .... Be familiar with the programs in use (admin, training, and supply). I wish there was a list but each command presents with different challenges and there is no way of knowing what you will need until the challenge arises. Best of luck.
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MAJ Javier Rivera
MAJ Javier Rivera
10 y
Be familiar...hmmmm. I would say know it by heart! As a commander those pubs will become a bible!
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What products do you need to have in your leaders book while in company command?
MAJ David Wallace
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Commanders at all levels need to have quick access to the important readiness metrics: near and far term training calendars, medical and dental readiness, NCOES/OES, Weapons Qual, APFT Scores, etc. Keep a copy of the most important regs on your computer or handheld; you never know when you'll need to reference them. Make sure you know your company's Operational Readiness Rate (OR Rate) for every piece of your equipment, weapons, radios, vehicles, and special purpose equipment. If it's broke, have a plan to fix it. Know the status of critical repair parts and have an idea of when they should be available. Check in with your supply sergeant, training NCO, Arms Room, and maintenance section often. Know what your boss's leadership philosophy (and his boss's philosophy), have your OWN philosophy and make sure you disseminate that throughout the ranks of your company. If your team doesn't know what your vision is, how can you expect them to do their part to make your outfit standout?

You also need to know your folks: spouses' names, kids' names, if they have any special needs or circumstances (serious health issues). Make daily contacts with your troops; they need to see you. Make your family readiness group work; you don't know when you'll have need of it. Knowing your Soldiers, their families and their particular circumstances will show that you care about them. If your Soldiers know that you care about them and that you've got their back; they will move heaven and hell to make your company shine.

Enjoy your time in company command; it IS the BEST JOB in the Army. Make the most of it every day.
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CPT Mark Gonzalez
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You can always Google the most common regs and most admin decisions do not have to be made immediately so there is built in time for your learning curve. Contact info to your 1SG, peer commanders and your boss. Multiple forms of contact for your trial counsel. Contacts for sharp, EO, IG and the Chaplain as needed. The branch and assignment officers for the AOCs can prove helpful. Don't forget to take care of yourself and there is nothing wrong with seeking mental health treatment and ensure quality time for your personal relationship. If you allow it to the best of you will always be used up at work and it isn't necessarily fair to your spouse to get what's left of you. Good luck.
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COL Strategic Plans Chief
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That depends entirely on your Battalion and Brigade Commander's priorities. So, from mine when I was a Squadron Commander: METL Crosswalk (from BDE to Company Level), Platoon Collective Task Crosswalk (supporting your METL), Long Range Training Calendar and Training Schedules (Current - 6 weeks out), Crew Manning Rosters, O-26 report (annotated to show reality...not just what is deadlined), Leader Development Plans (probably a part of your training calendar), High-Risk Soldier information. You don't need to carry your life with you. Regs can be downloaded from anywhere now. As you work with your commander, you will learn what he expects you to have handy.
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COL Thomas McGrath
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A sharp knife and a ton of motivation
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MAJ Javier Rivera
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Edited 10 y ago
DTMS printouts ( APFT, profiles, qualification stats, etc...) and if I was your XO would like to see your dead line report - already knowing it before hand. Make sure there is no PPI!
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LTC Bink Romanick
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CPT (Join to see) Besides regs, current rosters, APFT qualications, Marksmanship data, list of profiled troops, loading plans, recall rosters, manning documents, current MTOE, maps of local training areas, YTP, METL, YTC , training schedules.
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CPT Bct Chemical Officer
CPT (Join to see)
10 y
Awesome sir. And thank you for your service.
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LTC Bink Romanick
LTC Bink Romanick
10 y
If I can do anything just ask.
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LTC Bink Romanick
LTC Bink Romanick
10 y
CPT (Join to see) I forgot your applicable ARTEP
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CPT Chemical, Biological, Radiological & Nuclear Officer
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Privacy act signed by all the leaders you'll have in your book
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