What's the typical wait time to be a Platoon Leader after arriving to your unit?

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 06:05:49 -0400

My one year mark in my unit will be early SEP.

Due to the limited amount of EN platoons in the BEB structure I won't be a PL (forecasted) until this coming November. It was supposed to be earlier this year around FEB -MAR.

I haven't called branch yet, but I'm looking for an answer as to whether or not this is typical. Also if I should look into transferring units.

Tango mike.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jul 5 at 2017 6:28 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 06:28:02 -0400

Sir, PL slots in an EN unit are far and few as you obviously know. You will spend many a months in a non leadership position as you work your way though your career.. .. Your question may be better answered from your fellow 1CD 12A's that are 1st LT's having, had or waiting on a PL slot as well as the CPT's in the S3 with you or having a company now. The wait time is based on local unit needs, as well as Branch directives and , well, dumb luck....... If a LT is injured, emergency PCS, selected for a long term school, a slot could come open for one LT and a platoon in a mater of weeks, then another LT could wait 24 months because the unit roster is set for an upcoming deployment and the TF CDR is not looking to move anyone just prior to deployment ...

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Jul 5 at 2017 10:24 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 10:24:47 -0400

Sir, one year on the OML for an Engineer Platoon isn't that uncommon. Use your staff time as means to build your network of useful contacts, start co-opting the maintenance warrants and key S staffers now, it will pay you dividends in the future.....Or sit and pull at your belly button lint and bemoan your servitude in staff purgatory.
At least you're an Engineer, you could be a logistician or some other really boring job where you are doomed to perpetual administrative hell.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Jul 5 at 2017 1:17 PM

SGT Tony Clifford — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 13:17:45 -0400

Depends. In the 14th En our brand new LTs would get a platoon relatively quick. Typically the number of LTs in a unit doesn't exceed the MTOE. There are exceptions, but it's rare. Expect a platoon within 6 months. You'll typically be a PL for about 2 years then either XO or staff for a while until you come up on the list for CPT. That's the typical progression for LTs.

Response by MSG Johnathan Mathes made Jul 13 at 2017 9:35 PM

MSG Johnathan Mathes — Thu, 13 Jul 2017 21:35:47 -0400

Sir.this might seem disrespectful and I'm sorry.... but wait your time out ...there's other things you could be concentrating on... making your connections... talking with other platoon ldrs and learning the tools of the trade before you get there... start learning things about supply... be able to take charge when given the chance... I know your chopping at the bit... but use this as a opportunity.... hmm also learn things like writing cores.... ucmj.... get all your tools together now in this wait... best of luck

Response by CPT Wayne Smith made Aug 7 at 2017 11:51 PM

CPT Wayne Smith — Mon, 07 Aug 2017 23:51:01 -0400

Times sure have changed!! I was assigned an earth moving platoon in a combat heavy battalion right out of the basic course. That was 36 years ago, though.

Response by LTC William Guevremont made Mar 20 at 2018 2:40 PM

LTC William Guevremont — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 14:40:18 -0400

BLUF - do the job you have the best you can and the PL opportunity will come sooner. There is no other choice. To not do your best where you are now is being negligent to your Soldiers, yourself and the Army. Shine in what you are given now and green tab opportunities will be more often and come sooner. Stagnate and whine and you'll find yourself on the way to post staff and non-selection.

Typical wait time is not typical.

Example 1 -- As a PL back in 1991 - I went into a PLT after 2 months and stayed a PL for 33 months with 43rd CEC/3rd ACR - only one of us got to be XO and the 43rd CEC was the only Engineer Company in the 3rd ACR and also on a;ll of Fort Bliss, TX.

Example 2 -- As a CPT-Cdr - the wait time for a PL was 3 months, BUT, LTs were rotating every 6 months and that was DISASTER because the troops spent more time on sub-HR inventories than anything else and the PLs learned very little in 6 months in the 565th EN BN / 130th EN Bde in the late 1990's.

Example 3 -- As a LTC-Cdr for the 368th EN Bn (USAR) -- We had open PL positions and that was still after some being filled by cadets when we could get them.

So you see it's all unit, time and year group population dependent.

Lastly - I strongly urge you NOT to scheme, ever. Be up front with your desires to your rater and senior rater, work your ass off as nothing less is acceptable. And, as a staff officer, NEVER report bad news about a line unit until AFTER your told that line unit what you are about to report. NO commander wants a staff guy that constantly makes his life miserable and will tell his commander he does not want some cruddy nit picking staff weenie as his next PL.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 20 at 2018 11:04 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 23:04:42 -0400

Different time for each unit. Just wait your time and watch what the platoon leaders are doing and learn what to do and not do. Good luck.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 20 at 2018 11:40 PM

COL Charles Williams — Tue, 20 Mar 2018 23:40:27 -0400

CPT Private RallyPoint Member I know am late, but it all depends on the needs of the Army. 12 months at least, but I would recommend you do it as long as you can. You can only do it once. Once you are done, you can never go back. You have ample time to be staff officer. As a Company Commander, my LTs stayed in Platoons until the went the Captains Course. As a LT, PLs were in and out in 12 months. I wanted to be PL as long as I could. I never had any desire to be staff officer. As a Battalion Commander, LTs were averaging 12-18 months. It all depends on how many LTs are assessed each year. I would again recommend you covet your PL time.

Response by CPT Scott Sharon made Mar 21 at 2018 5:44 PM

CPT Scott Sharon — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 17:44:27 -0400

Mine was no wait time. I was assigned as soon as I arrived. But that was in Vietnam and a long time. I'm sure things are different now.

Response by CPT Jeff Porterfield made Mar 24 at 2018 1:55 AM

CPT Jeff Porterfield — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 01:55:13 -0400

This may not be applicable now, but when I arrived to Ft. Ord and the 13th Engineer Battalion (Divisional) I was first assigned to the HHQ company as the Heavy Equipment Platoon Leader. Does this position still exist?