What should all ROTC students know before joining the military as commissioned officers?

2017-03-11T10:21:16-05:00

Response by CPT Gary Jugenheimer made Mar 11 at 2017 11:02 AM

2017-03-11T11:02:21-05:00

This is a pretty open-ended question...there are obviously many things all of us would like to know before we began any venture and hope that someone is able to share their knowledge to help in our transition from one segment of our lives to another....Jacqueem, it would help to identify more specifically you wanted us to address and maybe we can help.....

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 11 at 2017 11:06 AM

2017-03-11T11:06:48-05:00

"What should they know"
That's a four year discussion and one you will be engaged in while completing ROTC.

If you have a specific question or area your have a question on ask...

But I'm finding your question to broad to really respond to... I'm happy to help as I can from a NCO's perspective and one that taught at Oregon State for 3 years.. Lead instructor for MS3's, select MS4 classes, Military fitness course instructor daily, CWST instructor, and Detachment operations Sergeant for all mission planning, resourcing and execution. 17 years on the ground living, breathing, building LT's before ROTC, 3 years at ROTC, 9 years after realizing I could have done more...if I had only known.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2017 11:31 AM

2017-03-11T11:31:25-05:00

That they don't know anything yet.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 11 at 2017 12:55 PM

2017-03-11T12:55:48-05:00

This thread is pretty mature with advice. https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/cadets-are-often-told-to-listen-to-our-ncos-after-we-commission-how-can-we-achieve-a-good-balance-between-taking-advice-and-being-in-charge?urlhash=2292296

Cadets are often told to listen to our NCOs after we commission. How can we achieve a good...

The one piece of advice that cadets receive more than any other is probably that we'll need to listen to our NCOs. The excellent reasons for a new 2LT to look to his or her more experienced Soldiers and NCOs are numerous and in many cases self evident. Nonetheless, a new PL is and has to be in charge. How can the recently commissioned officer lead and further hone his or her skills and do the right thing by his or her Soldiers while still...

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2017 1:02 PM

2017-03-11T13:02:40-05:00

Listen, observe, learn.

Response by 1LT Vance Titus made Mar 11 at 2017 1:21 PM

2017-03-11T13:21:23-05:00

Every ROTC student should recognize how much they don't know. For some that can be very difficult.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Mar 11 at 2017 1:56 PM

2017-03-11T13:56:53-05:00

ROTC in your future, Jacqueem?

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Mar 11 at 2017 2:37 PM

2017-03-11T14:37:26-05:00

They should be required to attend BCT ad OCS before entering into the Regular Army.

Response by COL Jon Thompson made Mar 11 at 2017 5:13 PM

2017-03-11T17:13:05-05:00

Because ROTC cadets will go off to their basic branch BOLC after commissioning, I am focusing on the end product prior to that. Here are my thoughts:
1. Training management doctrine - understanding the process of how to plan and conduct collective training and how that links to other Army doctrine.
2. Troop leading procedures and how to write a basic operations order.
3. How to conduct physical training and also understand that your Soldiers will not expect you to know a lot but that you should be in excellent physical fitness.
4. Don't think that because you were prior service or went to basic training that it makes you better than an officer who did not go that route.
5. No one will care about what you did in college or ROTC so don't ever say, "when I was an ROTC cadet..."

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 11 at 2017 11:15 PM

2017-03-11T23:15:54-05:00

1. Humility - Be humble. Don't be full of yourself. No one in the Army cares where you went to school. They care what you bring to the table.
2. Give a shit - That is care, care.. really care. Soldiers know the difference between leaders who care and those that say they care. Walk the walk, don't just talk the talk.
3. Responsibility - Cadets and especially officers must understand that word, and what it means. ...That you can delegate authority by never responsibility. You may be the most inexperienced person in your platoon (you will be), company etc.. But you are still responsible 24/7 whether you are present or not...
4. Understand what "lead by example" means... It means - if you want to know what is expected, and what the standard is... just look at me. It means do as I do, not do as I say...
5. Be a sponge... That is never stop learning... ask Soldiers, NCOs, peers etc, and always learn as much as you can. Be an expert, but know your role.
6. Be a role model... on and off duty. Model a balanced lifestyle... families and friends matter.
7. Don't worry about your OER. If your do your job well, if you do your very best everyday, the rest will take of itself.
8. Live and Model Army Values... You are the standard bearer for Army Values... If you violate them, you will never recover and you don't belong in the Army as a leader.
9. Trust your NCOs... Listen to them, and learn from them. If you succeed, it will because of them... If you fail, it is likely because you did not listen... But, also never forget who is responsible... That is crystal clear when things go wrong...
10. Check, check, and check again. You can never check too much. Never assume, check!

http://usacac.army.mil/CAC2/MilitaryReview/Archives/English/MilitaryReview_20120229_art009.pdf

MilitaryReview_20120229_art009.pdf

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Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2017 1:39 PM

2017-03-12T13:39:18-04:00

That 2LTs Don't salute 1LTs. Every single ROTC cadet should know this, without fail, prior to entering the military. Yet sadly, some still graduate not knowing this crucial piece of information. Oh, and they need to be patient with their fellow new LTs from the military academy. It takes some time for them to adjust to life in the real world. But after a while, as they loosen up their sphincter muscles, their heads pop out and they do fine. Most of them, anyway. ;)

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made Mar 12 at 2017 10:01 PM

2017-03-12T22:01:39-04:00

That they have no clue as to how the military works. They need to find some good NCOs and follow their' lead. They also need to ask a ton of questions.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made Mar 13 at 2017 12:32 AM

2017-03-13T00:32:25-04:00

Let your PSG and seasoned NCOs mentor you. Even some junior enlisted Soldiers can teach a new 2LT a few things here and there. Observe, listen, learn and develop into an officer that leads and stays professionally sound in all decisions. Your PSG will be the one who you need to respect and show him/her that you are wanting to do your job as the PL. ROTC Students need to mature quickly because they are going to make decisions that impact entire platoon. Be responsible, be alert, take charge and look after the Soldiers as your family. You take care of them, they will take care of you in return. I have seen this go bad for a LT that lost the confidence, trust and respect from his platoon in less than 30 days.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2017 1:41 PM

2017-03-13T13:41:27-04:00

They need to realize the modern NCO is just as educated and driven as they are and to not get a big head because they have a commission. Treat members of your organization with respect and focus on planning, not micro-managing.

Response by CWO3 Bill Carter made Mar 13 at 2017 5:20 PM

2017-03-13T17:20:51-04:00

Both my Father (Ret U.S.A.F. LtCol with 3 years as Army enlisted) and I have always felt that anyone getting a commission should do at least one year as enlisted to see how the other side of the coin works. I, personally, would prefer the year is done out in the fleet.

Response by CPT Art Jacobs made Mar 16 at 2017 4:33 PM

2017-03-16T16:33:03-04:00

That you may "command" a platoon in your early assignments, but that E-6 or E-7 Platoon Sergeant is the one who really "runs" the platoon day-to-day - the grease that keeps all the E-1's through E-5's going and in line. Seek that person's counsel and maintain an open and honest communication. That sergeant can make or break your early efficiency or fitness reports. Remember, you cannot "command" respect, you can only "earn" it. A former Vietnam Army Captain who spent two years as an enlisted man.

Response by CW2 Jonathan Hall made Nov 17 at 2017 10:34 AM

2017-11-17T10:34:13-05:00

That no one will like you.. lol jk. Reach out the guys with the most experience repect their time and years of trianing. If you do that you will be off to a good start

Response by SPC Elijah J. Henry, MBA made Nov 17 at 2017 10:45 AM

2017-11-17T10:45:49-05:00

How to salute. Based on the quality of the salutes I get returned (when in fact they do return them) as a gate guard, saluting is not taught at all in Officer schools. Many Officers look right at me as I render a sharp salute, and drive away, ignoring it entirely. Many more toss their hand in the general direction of their head, in whatever position their hand happened to be in at the time. It's like they learned to salute from pop culture.

Response by CPT Robert Boshears made Jan 2 at 2019 12:49 PM

2019-01-02T12:49:40-05:00

Learn! Talk to senior... heck, Junior NCO’s. Don’t call in an FPF before you know what it is... and have the best looking uniform when out.

Response by SSgt Russell Stevens made Nov 30 at 2019 2:40 PM

2019-11-30T14:40:20-05:00

1. Always listen to the NCOs, they might not be commissioned officers but they know a lot more about the operation than any new officer.
2. Always listen to the NCOs, they might not be commissioned but they have been doing the job longer than any new officer.
3. Always listen to the NCOs, you might not agree with what they tell you but you will get a point blank answer from them.