Posted on Nov 26, 2013
What was your greatest leadership, personal or "military challenge?"
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What is or was your greatest challenge... how did you approach it, overcome it, and how has it shaped your leadership or working style? In our military careers, we've encountered unique circumstances and numerous challenges, many of which can serve as case studies for young and up-and-coming leaders. So, how did you achieve successful results, or how did you learn from a humbling experience or from missing-the-mark? For our Guard, Reserve and Veterans and for those w/ significant broken service time--and/or a leadership challenge that doesn't fit "neatly into the military box"--please feel free to share your experiences from private industry, federal gov't, the contract world, or anywhere you may've gained valuable insight or experience. For those still serving here's your opportunity to provide input to our "up-and-coming" leaders; we have some fine leaders here, so I'm certain this will be a great discussion... now let's pull up a keyboard and get this thing started; thank you for all that you do, and... see you all in the discussion threads!
Military Career
Mentorship
Motivation
NCOs
Edited 10 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 30
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My biggest challenge was when I was a platoon sergeant in the 1st WTU. We had no squad leaders, no support staff. Just a 1SG and a CO and over 80 in my platoon. My day was spent tracking down about 40 people who didn't show up for formation making sure they didn't overdose in their rooms last night. Finding out why they missed their 30th appointment. Stop them from selling all their drugs and being exempt from being in trouble for it.<div>Watching spouses walk into a room of a dying patient on a burn unit with her new boyfriend waiting on him to die so she could collect her check.</div><div>Having a soldier commit suicide because his girl friend couldn't handle the way he looked anymore and when he flew down to Miami to propose to her after about 30 surgeries she laughed at him. Getting the phone call at 2am right before he pulls the trigger and then have to get blamed by his mother for not taking care of him properly.</div><div>By far the most challenging position in my career but also the most rewarding. Taking care of our fallen.</div>
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Col (Join to see)
SSG Burns, thanks for posting, wow, those are certainly some challenging situations and circumstances; please feel free to revisit at any time if you'd like to talk through these or any other of your leadership experiences in detail, I'm certain your time will be appreciated as both leaders and troops alike will absolutely learn from whatever you have to offer. Excellent post, thanks again for taking the time to share with everyone!
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SGT Craig Northacker
Thanks you for working with these young folks. You can have a job with us any time you want.
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There are so many but the one that holds most sway with me, is my daughter. She was gone for the better part of 15 years. I kept in mind that arguing with her mom might not be the best course of action and I was right. I had to eat humble pie but it was worth it. Truth stands the test of time and good judgment helped me get my daughter back.
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When going into my first Reserve Unit, my BN CMD specified that we (All the CPT) had to listen to all commands of a Junior Captain. This is a challenge when he disrespects the Soldiers and Condems the Officers in front of the Soldiers. I spoke with my XO and once the unit gets back from Texas, then I only listen to him and of course the BN CMD. It just makes it hard to see such bad leadership and be told from the top you cannot do anything about it.
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CMC Robert Young
Ma'am I had a similar situation with somebody who clearly wasn't the strongest leader. May I offer that if you are actively engaged throughout the command particularly with your junior people, by demonstrating that level of concern, professionalism, and poise, you'll do much to encourage a higher level of performance from almost everybody. It will not take long for everybody at all pay grades to determine whose doing it right, and whose doing it wrong. You can overcome much of this by simply being a pro. Your team will figure it out. Worked for me.
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