Posted on Mar 27, 2018
What’s the toughest decision you’ve ever had to make as a Commander (or leader)?
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I assumed Company Command as a 1LT. It was by far the toughest job I’ve ever had. As a leader you’re trusted to make the best decisions possible with the information available. However, some decisions are hard to live with. One of the toughest decisions I’ve ever had to make was to discharge a brilliant and promising junior enlisted Soldier for drug use. What tough decision shaped your career?
Leadership
Command
Company Commander
Mentorship
Professional Development
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 32
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MAJ (Join to see) I commanded two companies, a battalion, and three brigades, so to pull out anyone tough decision is like looking for a needle in a haystack after 37 years. Like you my first command was as a 1LT and there is nothing like hopping into the frying pan right out of the gate in your officer career. One of the many tough decisions I had to make was going head-to-head with General Officer at Mobilization (knowing that if I lost I could get relieved of my command or some type of Administrative discipline), but I knew in my heart I was right and I got my ducks all lined up and went against him head on and in the end I won the tug of war with GO. I was right and my other GO's that knew me came to my side and supported my decision. It was a calculated risk, but I took as every good leader should when they have all of their stuff together in one hand bag (duffle bag). Make sure before you go against your superior you have your stuff together (dress right dress). Good luck my friend and there are many of us you can call on, if you need us Michael! Been there and got the T-Shirt!
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CPT Lawrence Cable
I believe that at some point in every officers career there will come a point that you have to bet your Bars, Oak Leafs, or Eagles to do the Right Thing. I came out OK on the occasion it happened to me. Yes, I did have my ducks in a row and there wasn't really any question that I was correct. Being correct doesn't always make you popular . I am not of the opinion that this always turns out well.
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PO1 Robert George
Whether you have gold or silver on your shoulders or a bird or rocker on your arm, you're paid to know right, do right, be right. I always told the guys coming up behind me they were paid to stick their neck out for their shipmates and what was right. There's always the possibility of getting bit in the ass but the ranks above and below will gain respect for you and you end up ahead in the long run. I also caution them not to let an alligator mouth overload a hummingbird ass. Know when it's time get more firepower.
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Every damn time I had to pick one of my people to go on point during deployments.
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SPC Dennis McQuinn
CSM Charles Hayden I don't know but I truly liked being on point. I just always felt like I was the guy keeping us safe and not leading us into the kill box or an ambush and finding the Bobbie traps and the enemy before they found us.
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In my case it wasn’t a single decision but that nagging worry if I had done enough in my training of AIT trainees on their way to Vietnam as 11Bs-11Cs,I know that my short time with them was not the only thing that would give them a better chance of coming home,but I was a young NCO and hoped my experiences and lessons learned out weighed my immaturity ,hope so.
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