What's your Top Three Staff Duty tips for newbies?

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Mon, 11 May 2015 14:03:08 -0400

Response by Capt Richard I P. made May 11 at 2015 2:18 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Mon, 11 May 2015 14:18:02 -0400

Read the duty binder. Trust your Duty NCO. Take Charge.

Response by SFC Stephen King made May 11 at 2015 3:33 PM

SFC Stephen King — Mon, 11 May 2015 15:33:00 -0400

Focus on the duty, realize what you have control over and what you don't. Ensure you talk with SGM to get their perspective and goals during your duty.

Response by SFC Joseph James made May 11 at 2015 3:44 PM

SFC Joseph James — Mon, 11 May 2015 15:44:43 -0400

Don't fall asleep. If you're an NCO make sure you actually do the checks that you're supposed to do and don't let your soldiers fall asleep either! Came back from rounds to find my Specialist fast asleep around 1 am. Soooo much painnnnnn!!!! lol Ok, back to the point. Bring study materials (Job related or Soldier of the Month/ Promotion Boards etc). Computer if allowed. Anything fun that will kill the time. Oh, when you're done at 0900, RUUUNNNN to your car or barracks room. When i was Lower Enlisted my biggest fear was getting caught up by the unit/ platoon for "Training" or stuck doing something else when i should be sleeping! lol Good luck brother!

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 11 at 2015 9:51 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Mon, 11 May 2015 21:51:01 -0400

Read the book. Grab on to the S3 SGM or CHOPS and don't let go until they brief you on special instructions. Get a lesson on each piece of Comms gear, including the STE. Know where the key leaders are (I always tell ours where the BDE CDR, CSM, BDE XO, and DCO aka me and any alternates are). Remember , no visit by HHQ during your watch is friendly or happenstance - log and take action. Figure out chow with the runner. Back brief the runner so you can do checks, work issues, and pee in peace.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made May 11 at 2015 10:14 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Mon, 11 May 2015 22:14:08 -0400

Chaplain, they haven't got you on BN Staff Duty, have they?

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made May 11 at 2015 10:18 PM

PFC Tuan Trang — Mon, 11 May 2015 22:18:09 -0400

Sleep alot the days before or before staff duty, and get some coffe, and monster drink.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made May 12 at 2015 12:48 AM

Capt Mark Strobl — Tue, 12 May 2015 00:48:17 -0400

1.) Call the Chief of Staff First. Let him/her decide if the CG really "needs to know."
2.) Chow is Continuous: Buy/bring sufficient pogey bait for everybody standing watch with you. Make sure the coffee maker is in working order prior to posting.
3.) Prior to posting, pray you don't have a free Lynard Skynard concert on a pay-day weekend. There's like 9-10 sea-stories in this one alone.

Response by SPC William Weedman made Jun 3 at 2015 3:15 AM

SPC William Weedman — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 03:15:12 -0400

Do what was done to me the first time I was a staff duty driver...the instant your driver's eyes close, inform him/her that the entire HQ building needs to be cleaned...trash emptied, common areas dusted, and the floors swept, mopped and buffed, it kept me awake but I was not safe to drive after about hour 20...

Find something to entertain yourself. I used it to write/audio tape letters home (yeah I'm an old soldier), pay bills, or read the latest paperback I bought. I found the radio had a bad habit of making me sleepy depending on the music or talk.

Caffeine up! Being old school I used coffee, but I understand energy drinks and energy shots are the options today. If you use nicotine make sure you have enough for the shift, no duty driver wants to be handed money and sent to the 24 hour shopette, especially if he/she doesn't smoke.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 8:07 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 20:07:43 -0400

Do everything in your power to get out of it, because it sucks and doesn't have any longterm health benefits.

Response by CPT Earl George made Jun 28 at 2016 9:57 PM

CPT Earl George — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 21:57:12 -0400

1. make sure you understand your duties. If you are the Duty Officer, you are also familiar with the instructions assigned to the duty NCO and runner.2. Do not try and cut corners in carrying out your duties. 3. Make sure your duty log is complete and detailed in case any questions arise later.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 31 at 2017 12:36 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Mar 2017 12:36:29 -0400

Always read the duties and responsibilities SOP. Know where everything is and who to contact; ie, Red Cross Messages. Be thorough as possible.