What was your BEST leadership position and why?

1SG Charmaine R. — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 04:22:06 -0500

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2013 4:24 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 04:24:48 -0500

Easy, Platoon Leader! Got to work along side Soldiers and NCOs, and learn along the way. Now that I'm in staff I just work on pointless last minute projects and get beat up by a SGM and MAJ for the smallest things.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2013 7:39 AM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 07:39:40 -0500

I have had the pleasure of serving in some pretty awesome jobs throughout my career but the best job in the United States Army (for enlisted) is without any doubt....drum roll please.......DRILL SERGEANT. In a period of time we took young men and women from all different walks of life, from all different parts of the country and taught them some of the most important life skills needed to survive in today’s ever changing world. We get young men and women fresh off drugs and alcohol. We get young men and women from broken homes, abusive homes, and from the streets. We get them from blue collar families and we get them from very rich families and yet the goals that we have as Drill Sergeants are never changing. Our goal was to take these patriots and warriors and teach them everything we can in a short amount of time while giving them confidence and dedication not only to the Army but to their comrades and friends alike. The Drill Sergeant is a parent, teacher, mentor, counselor, investigator, comedian, MD, legal advisor, financial advisor, supreme authority on all things all the time. I have never worked so hard or so long for so many and totally enjoyed it. Plus you get to wear the coolest looking albeit most uncomfortable hat on the planet.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Dec 19 at 2013 9:08 AM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 09:08:08 -0500

Tank PSG was the best, I was able to train, mentor and lead my Soldiers to close with and destroy the enemy, which is what "our" job is/was, and bring them all home safe and sound. My most rewarding, would probably have been my time as the Tank Driver Training Committee NCOIC, Jan '08 - Jan '10, where I oversaw the training of every single 19K OSUT Soldier on how to drive the M1 series of tank. I not only trained new Soldiers, but I lead/managed, mentored and supervise both DA Civilian and Army Instructors.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Dec 19 at 2013 9:22 AM

SSG Robert Burns — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 09:22:31 -0500

I havent had the pleasure yet, but I'm told its 1SG position.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2013 6:44 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 18:44:30 -0500

I have not found it yet. But when I do, I'll be coming back to this thread to post my comment.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2013 8:00 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 20:00:08 -0500

I agree on Squad Leader. Nothing like taking 8-12 men and making them successful in there career. The longer you have been in the more knowledge you have, and the more you can teach those under you. I always excelled as a Squad Leader because I put in the time and actually counseled my Soldiers and Team Leaders under me.

It was always an honor for me to take that young E-5 into a NCO of month board and see them win, or prep them up for WLC and see them make commandants list. I think that's when you really get to see the power of a good Non commissioned Officer do his job, and take care of his Soldiers. Plus it never hurts to hear a few years down the road when one of your old Soldiers calls you up and tells you thank you, or that you were the best squad leader they ever had. That is what makes this Army so great! So I would agree at least for me the Squad Leader job was the best by far.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2013 8:01 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 20:01:12 -0500

I would say Platoon Leader. You have to be the Jack of all trades. You are in control of 42 soldiers, to include NCOs, and work for CPT that puts his faith in you to do your job. Nothing is better than completing a platoon level mission without any snags.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2013 8:03 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 20:03:44 -0500

Hands down 1SG position. There is nothing like being in charge of a whole company of Soldiers and working hand in hand with a Company Commander to build an awesome team.

I do believe the best position will be the one you have always dreamed of having. Mine was to be a 1SG so being one was awesome!

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2013 8:16 PM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 20:16:17 -0500

All I know is that every Infantry company or BN CO and every Infantry CSM seemed to really want to be squad leaders.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2013 9:04 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 21:04:37 -0500

A squad leader hands down. The direct leadership impact you have on your soldiers give you a chance to help them mold themselves into profesional, and great leaders. while setting them up for success. It still amazes me the impact a Squad leader can have on a soldier.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2013 10:40 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Dec 2013 22:40:26 -0500

So far for me it has been company operations NCO. Not only do I have my own Soldiers that I lead and mentor directly but I have my hand in everything and feel that I affect every Soldier in the company. Admin actions, training statistics and schools; I am in direct control of them all. It's nice when the whole company is up to date on weapons, pt and other actions. Makes you feel good.

Response by CSM Mike Maynard made Dec 20 at 2013 12:08 AM

CSM Mike Maynard — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 00:08:39 -0500

Platoon Sergeant!

At that level, I was still able to engage every single Soldier on a daily basis and know them personally and demonstrate care.

As you rise through the ranks, your ability to know your folks becomes more difficult and your ability to demonstrate care on an individual basis to your entire formation becomes almost impossible.

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Dec 20 at 2013 12:17 AM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 00:17:35 -0500

I am torn between my time as a Platoon Sergeant and my time as a First Sergeant. As a PSG, I trained a platoon, deployed, conducted small unit combat operations and was there executing tasks at the "boots on the ground" level. The camaraderie at that level was great. As a 1SG, my scope of how many people (Soldiers, Civilians and Families) grew exponentially. I went from having a platoon of 20 Soldiers to a Company of almost 600. Being a 1SG was awesome because I had the opportunity to talk to, mentor and learn from so many people. I wouldn't trade in either one of those time periods in my career...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 20 at 2013 7:41 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 20 Dec 2013 19:41:06 -0500

This might be a little weird but the one I am in now. A lot of folks don't think of EOA as a leader, as many 1SG and peers have told me, but this informal leadership positions has to be the best, I have the ability to affect many Soldiers of all ranks, that is a great feeling.

Response by SFC Harry Fox made Dec 21 at 2013 5:51 PM

SFC Harry Fox — Sat, 21 Dec 2013 17:51:27 -0500

Drill Sergeant!!!

This by far the "Greatest Job" in the Army. I volunteered for Drill Sergeant Duty and for a 3rd year as a Drill Sergeant. As a Drill Sergeant, you have the honor and privilege of changing young men and women's lives forever. Yes, the hours do suck; however, when the recruits finally get it and improve their BRM and PT scores because of all the hard work you put into them it makes it all worth while. Since I am an older Drill Sergeant, whenever possible, I try to pass on life lessons that not only make them better soldiers...but also better members of the "HUMAN Race". I would challenge any of you that are not DS's and are eligible to to get you hat and badge. You will not regret it.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 28 at 2013 5:31 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 28 Dec 2013 17:31:09 -0500

So far for me I had the wonderful and blessed experience of being a 1SG of a 178 Soldier company prior to, during, and post deployment. I just had my change of responsibility on the 3rd of December. I had the chance to influence so many peoples lives and train and bring back my company from Afghanistan. I could literally REFRAD or do whatever and die happy. My grandfather was a 1SG during WWII and he was the reason I joined the Army. I couldn't ask for a better opportunity. Plus my company commander, CPT Crigger, is the best officer I've worked for personally and we became a true team. My only regret is I'm just being looked at for MSG as we speak so I never got to be crocked and wear the actual diamond but my Soldiers gave me the respect anyhow so I guess it doesn't really matter.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2014 12:36 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 00:36:39 -0400

MSG,

I have to respond by saying that it depends what you consider the definition is for the "best" position. My most enjoyable position was when I was a LLVI Team Leader in Afghanistan. I enjoyed that the most because I felt like what I did directly had an impact on the accomplishment of the mission. I could see the direct results of my team's work and that is a very rewarding experience.

My other "best" experience was as an AIT Platoon Sergeant at DLIFLC. This position was very demanding and challenging, as I was suddenly in charge of managing pretty much everything dealing with my Soldiers while they studied Arabic at DLI. I learned a great deal about leadership and professionalism during my time there.

Response by GySgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2014 1:55 AM

GySgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Mar 2014 01:55:09 -0400

Platoon Sergeant! Having all the men with close interaction, rewarding.

Response by SSG Mike Angelo made Mar 15 at 2014 3:41 AM

SSG Mike Angelo — Sat, 15 Mar 2014 03:41:22 -0400

When as an Instructor/Advisor assigned to train and teach a foreign army in the host country. I believed that our team was the best our country could provide for that time frame.

Response by CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR made Sep 13 at 2014 12:01 PM

CW3 Dylan E. Raymond, PHR — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 12:01:36 -0400

I have to echo CSM Wagenbrenner that the best leadership position that I held was that of a Drill SGT. We was charged with transforming Americas best, young warriors into fighting Soldiers at that time in 8 weeks. I knew that I wanted to be a Drill Sergeant even during basic training where I was overweight and they called me heavy "D". I was 244lbs and border line size 40 waist. I was barely able to do the 13 minimum push-ups escaping the fat farm.....running probably a 22+ minute 2 mile run. The Drill sergeants smoked me like Newport cigarettes but they never gave up. My APFT card was all red but I improved each one until finally passing the final one to graduate. I was chosen to be the company guidon, and graduated at fighting weight at 209lbs and my waist was a 34. I have maintained the standards after for 25 years and counting to date.

So when I got the tap to attend drill SGT school I was excited. When you are in that role you have to lead by example because the privates are always watching and trying to emulate you. It challenged me to stay in shape as some times I took the "A" group on runs and these were stallions that always got younger each cycle as I continue to get older. If you fall out of a run as a drill sergeant you might as well turn in your campaign hat.

I was personally afraid of heights and made sure I was the drill sergeant that demonstrated the high obstacles on obstacle course.

I would demonstrate the obstacle, fall off into the net that was below the obstacle and the Soldiers would go crazy with motivation and never knew I was afraid of heights because I had to lead them. I sat up on the obstacle where the privates had to slide down with legs interlocked over the rope and doing hand over hand. It was a little uneasy at Ft Leonardwood where the obstacle would sway and the privates are up there nervous and they are right next to me and some times I was just as nervous as them. I would talk to them while they were up counseled them identify their fears and motivate to attack the challenge. Extremely rewarding.

I had to remember part of my creed which read "I will lead by example, never requiring a soldier to attempt any task I would not do myself" So that is what motivated me to lead me to get out in front of my troops.

Nothing is more rewarding to see a platoon that you are responsible for come together and march as a team across that parade field graduating. I took it personal that the Soldiers that were assigned to me I did everything in my power to influence, encourage them to not quit....if they did I accepted responsibility that I did not do my job to keep them in the game.

Dylan

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Sep 15 at 2014 11:54 AM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Mon, 15 Sep 2014 11:54:16 -0400

Being a leader 24/7 as a Soldier first. A position to me has meaning, but it doesn't make a leader at all. The best leader is one who embodies every facet of being a Soldier who lives the Values, Ethos and Profession of Arms. I once was seeking a position to be a company commander as a warrant officer (rare) and sat down to lunch with a officer I very much respected. Finally after all the time lining and discussion, he said simply, "it is not the job you hold, but how well you do the job you have". There has been no truer words said as evidenced by my career path to date.

I believe taking care of Soldier, Sailors, Marines and Airmen, anyone who needs guidance, assistance, help and your example of leadership is the best position. Sometimes that may be a simple "On the Spot" in public that re-cages someone's gyro if you know what I mean.

Having had the opportunity over a mere 27 years of service, I have to say the company level is where leadership is the bedrock. At battalion and above, it is a few position and that is IF the folks in those places are naturals and make an effort they will be remembered as leaders.

Take this one step further, ask anyone who they admire as a leader or standard bearer. DO they mention a 4 star general or an NCO or PLT LDR?

Response by SGT Brandon Baker made Jan 28 at 2015 10:14 PM

SGT Brandon Baker — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 22:14:29 -0500

When I was a MOS-T corporal in intel school, hands down.

It was my first true leadership experience, and imparted on me the value of what good mentorship can instill in a new soldier.

Response by SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS made Sep 28 at 2015 11:30 AM

SFC Dr. Joseph Finck, BS, MA, DSS — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 11:30:19 -0400

1SG Charmaine R. Top, Mine was as Detachment First Sergeant of the 20th / 1149th MP DET (CID) during OIF 07-09. I was lucky enough to have great Soldiers and Special Agents assigned making my job much easier and was supported by the best Commander I could have wished for. It was a dream assignment with HUGE accomplishments by the unit and by the individual Soldiers. It was the highlight of my career.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Sep 28 at 2015 1:11 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 13:11:50 -0400

Commander because the culture was mine to make.