Posted on Nov 4, 2013
With the decrease in OPTEMPO and the high level of combat experience among Soldiers/NCOs, what should a new 2LT focus on to prepare to lead?
8.68K
116
44
5
5
0
The average SSG in a Combat Arms unit may have 3+ years deployed and the accompanying experiences and the base of power that comes it. How does a new 2LT (most although not all without combat experience) lead in that environment, especially when there may be a much lower chance of gaining combat experience with the lower expected OPTEMPO of the next few years?
I am interested in responses from all ranks, as I think that the view of a BN CDR as their future senior rater would be very interesting as well as the view of Soldiers and NCOs on what a 2LT could focus on or excel at that would make you want to follow him/her.
Posted in these groups: 
Junior Officers
Junior Officers
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 19
6
6
0
Sir, I think that situation you presented above is both a challenge and an opportunity. Although the OPTEMPO is decreasing, the general expectations for a new LT should remain the same. Physical fitness, a willingness to learn from those around him/her, and Integrity will continue to serve a new LT well as is has in the past.
(6)
(0)
5
5
0
I will offer the following.
The LT... Actually Every soldier... should focus on being the leader that his platoon and unit deserves. That means those time honored leadership traits that I as a young infantry PFC memorized in preparation to becoming a leader.
1. Know yourself and seek self-improvement
2. Be tactically and technically proficient
3. Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions
4. Set the example
5. Know your people and look out for their welfare
6. Keep your people informed
7. Ensure the task is understood, supervised, and accomplished
8. Develop a sense of responsibility among your people
9. Train your people as a team
10. Make sound and timely decisions
11. Employ your unit in accordance with its capabilities
Really... That's all anyone can do. Please and before any replies about listening to your NCOs... That is indicative 1 and 2 if you'd think about. As for the two way shooting ranges... They'll be along again shortly... Unfortunately they always are... And that is an experience all its own.
The LT... Actually Every soldier... should focus on being the leader that his platoon and unit deserves. That means those time honored leadership traits that I as a young infantry PFC memorized in preparation to becoming a leader.
1. Know yourself and seek self-improvement
2. Be tactically and technically proficient
3. Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions
4. Set the example
5. Know your people and look out for their welfare
6. Keep your people informed
7. Ensure the task is understood, supervised, and accomplished
8. Develop a sense of responsibility among your people
9. Train your people as a team
10. Make sound and timely decisions
11. Employ your unit in accordance with its capabilities
Really... That's all anyone can do. Please and before any replies about listening to your NCOs... That is indicative 1 and 2 if you'd think about. As for the two way shooting ranges... They'll be along again shortly... Unfortunately they always are... And that is an experience all its own.
(5)
(0)
3
3
0
To the 2LT...Make all the formations. whether you stand in the back of a platoon or out front when the commander is out front. Your NCOs will help you find your post or prepare it for you if need be, too, when you go to the field. Learn your platoon's language, behavioral norms, and other nuances; develop trust in your NCOs.
Present your platoon with outside activities, counseling for PTSD, and other health and welfare paths. Some of your SMs will become veterans soon. Support their efforts because when they do get out, it reflects on your leadership capacity; preparation and execution.
Train to sustain, but support and provide other paths for your SMs. Retention may not be the optimal choice for both losing and gaining commands. Know your partners and other stakeholders. Collaborate with your peers for networking and lessons learned.
Present your platoon with outside activities, counseling for PTSD, and other health and welfare paths. Some of your SMs will become veterans soon. Support their efforts because when they do get out, it reflects on your leadership capacity; preparation and execution.
Train to sustain, but support and provide other paths for your SMs. Retention may not be the optimal choice for both losing and gaining commands. Know your partners and other stakeholders. Collaborate with your peers for networking and lessons learned.
(3)
(0)
LTC(P) (Join to see)
Well Said SSG Angelo!! Understanding what each Soldier need and and helping them to succeed in the service or transition successfully out is what real leadership is about!
(2)
(0)
CPT Brandon Christensen
I would also say present them with civilian education.Like you said, they will become veterans too and having, if nothing else, a little education will put them down the right path to be successful outside the military
(1)
(0)
3
3
0
Sir,<div><br></div><div>I redeployed in Nov 2011 and had an fresh out of EBLOC WP 2LT and we were already back on the patch chart in 13-15 months later. Boy I had a hard time giving him the a chance, I knew we are about to go right back into the hornets nest and he could see it in my eyes it was going to be hard to live up to the standards of the PLT. </div><div><br></div><div>He sat me down for my counseling and it was a good initial counseling but he then asked me what I expected out of him. So all three SQD LDRs were staying for this next deployment and four out of six team leaders were staying as well. I looked at the LT and told him PT is a must, learning our trade should be his top priority, volunteer for every school that has to do with our MOS and I will teach him the rest. He was a successful LT. </div><div><br></div><div>That being said these new LT's need to be in the mix with their SQD LDRs doing PT with different squads every day building a re pour with them. Soldiers follow Leaders who lead from the front combat experience is not everything. </div><div><br></div><div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Regard your soldiers as your children, and they will follow you into the deepest valleys; look on them as your own beloved sons, and they will stand by you even unto death.</span><br style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Read more at</span></div><div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/s/sun_tzu.html#gS20jCkKDqljRYk9.99" style="color: rgb(0, 51, 153);">http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/s/sun_tzu.html#gS20jCkKDqljRYk9.99</a></span><br></div><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://i.brainyquote.com/photos/s/suntzu382397.jpg"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/s/sun_tzu.html">Sun Tzu Quotes at BrainyQuote</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">Enjoy the best Sun Tzu Quotes at BrainyQuote. Quotations by Sun Tzu, Chinese Philosopher, Share with your friends.</div></div><div style="clear:both"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>
(3)
(0)
LTC(P) (Join to see)
Great response 1SG! Combination of a good counseling, willing to learn, and always trying to better prepare himself to lead, and building the team through sharing experiences and tough times with them.
Love it!
(2)
(0)
CPT Brandon Christensen
That is how I was treated when I got my first position right out of OCS. I was in the XO position, did my initial with the acting 1SG, and then asked him what he expects from me. He definitely squared me away and taught me what I needed to know. Granted I had prior enlisted service (8 years; 92G) so I had a leg up, but wasn't a leader.
Definitely have to trust your NCO's and do everything in your power to help them achieve the goal for the company.
Definitely have to trust your NCO's and do everything in your power to help them achieve the goal for the company.
(1)
(0)
3
3
0
Maj,
Just a little scenario of how lower enlisted navigate this before we got our first deployment.
As a private I had never been deployed yet when I trained my peers(some who had deployed) I would still equate our training to combat scenarios. No one ever questioned me, why?, because I did my homework, checked with those who had deployed and I made sure I was 100% right so that my lack of combat credentials did not come into question.
While having been there and experienced it is irreplaceable knowledge, just because you were not there does not mean you cant speak on it in an educated manner using facts. The goal of a peace time Army is to prepare for war, if you show your subordinates that you are capable of doing this even without real world experience they will understand. I had much rather see an LT using the resources he has available to learn combat operations than using his lack of deployments as an excuses not to learn/lead! He still may not be the first one off the bird in a combat jump, but at least he will be on the plane instead of Rear D!
Having said that, don't act as if you have deployed by reading a book or hearing a few stories. Be ready to eloquently explain how you are capable of teaching/leading it without ever having experienced it, on the off chance one of your NCOs calls you on it.
(3)
(0)
LTC(P) (Join to see)
Great Comment! I absolutely agree, an LT who wants to learn but is also willing to teach and does the work to learn their job is the one I want leading in my organization!
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
Sir,
A new 2LT needs to find the right balance between learning and leading. If they don't find the right balance they will either sit back and fail to lead at all, or they will try to lead without learning how to first. It is important for them to clearly define their expectations to their NCOs when arriving at the unit and to find out what the NCOs and Soldiers expect of them.
Leveraging the experience of their NCOs while taking an active part in leading Soldiers is extremely important. They need to interact with all of the Soldiers under them. Too many 2LTs think the day to day leading of Soldiers is an NCO's job, and they don't get involved with PT, counseling, and many other basic leadership tasks.
A new 2LT needs to find the right balance between learning and leading. If they don't find the right balance they will either sit back and fail to lead at all, or they will try to lead without learning how to first. It is important for them to clearly define their expectations to their NCOs when arriving at the unit and to find out what the NCOs and Soldiers expect of them.
Leveraging the experience of their NCOs while taking an active part in leading Soldiers is extremely important. They need to interact with all of the Soldiers under them. Too many 2LTs think the day to day leading of Soldiers is an NCO's job, and they don't get involved with PT, counseling, and many other basic leadership tasks.
(2)
(0)
LTC(P) (Join to see)
Great answer SSG Day! Absolutely agree with you on the balance between learning and leading, how does an LT know if he/she is striking the right balance? How do they know when they should be stepping forward vice listening to their NCOs?
(2)
(0)
SSG (Join to see)
Sir,
Finding the exact balance is difficult. If a LT feels they are doing everything or nothing there is a good chance they need to take a closer look at how they operate. They should know what is happening in the platoon but be able to trust things to get done without needing to micromanage. The two worst things that can happen to a new LT is to have an incompetent platoon sergeant or have an overbearing one. A good platoon sergeant will give guidance while still leaving the final decision to the LT, and will accomplish tasks without needing anyone to hold his/her hand.
Finding the exact balance is difficult. If a LT feels they are doing everything or nothing there is a good chance they need to take a closer look at how they operate. They should know what is happening in the platoon but be able to trust things to get done without needing to micromanage. The two worst things that can happen to a new LT is to have an incompetent platoon sergeant or have an overbearing one. A good platoon sergeant will give guidance while still leaving the final decision to the LT, and will accomplish tasks without needing anyone to hold his/her hand.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
Great answers from everyone, I absolutely agree that the LT needs to be ready to learn and needs to seek out opportunities to better himself. Does anyone consider the moral side of leadership to be something that the LT should focus on as well? That does seem to be the thing that has been tripping up many officers from the ranks of LT to GEN, and from my foxhole its impacts on the PLT can be just as positive or negative as a lack of tactical competence.
(2)
(0)
LTC(P) (Join to see)
I thought about mine more after the fact and as I looked at issues such as Blackhearts and others. I think that an Officer or leader regardless of rank needs to understand the effect that they have on the organization should they begin to allow unethical acts to pass by on their watch. Also very true in the inverse, the positive effect that doing and expecting the right thing can have on the climate of a unit.
(1)
(0)
1SG Cameron M. Wesson
Simply stated yes. Your point to the challenges that have been suffered throughout the army by officers and senior non-commissioned officers... not to mention the junior enlisted... are proof positive that focus on morals... lets say ethics... needs to be started soonest with all of our young soldiers regardless of cohort. However, regardless of the early contact with the soldier, if role models both officer and enlisted are not "leading by example" "show casing" these ethics... the effect through all ranks will be hit\miss... and truthfully they will be the butt of jokes throughout the ranks as many different initiatives have been. That does not mean we should not try...because I'll continue that fight from my foxhole till they bury me in it.
One example I'll provide was as a field recruiter in 1992. The slogan we had was "Recruit with integrity" . It made sense to me as an infantryman. To be honest with the system and applicants where you didn't get a challenge soldier; however, when you're out there with actual recruiters who on a daily basis tell you that mission box is the only thing that matter and laugh at the slogan, that further sends a mixed message... what is the officer or NCO to do at that point? I ended up doing the hard right over the easy wrong and for two years in a row I went under 90% mission box which reflected on my ncoer.
while this example is not officer centric it still shows the same challenge that could be faced by Lieutenant In a command climate that plays lip service Army ethics. just my 2 cents.
One example I'll provide was as a field recruiter in 1992. The slogan we had was "Recruit with integrity" . It made sense to me as an infantryman. To be honest with the system and applicants where you didn't get a challenge soldier; however, when you're out there with actual recruiters who on a daily basis tell you that mission box is the only thing that matter and laugh at the slogan, that further sends a mixed message... what is the officer or NCO to do at that point? I ended up doing the hard right over the easy wrong and for two years in a row I went under 90% mission box which reflected on my ncoer.
while this example is not officer centric it still shows the same challenge that could be faced by Lieutenant In a command climate that plays lip service Army ethics. just my 2 cents.
(1)
(0)
LTC(P) (Join to see)
Great response 1SG, the harder right over the easier wrong is easy to say, much harder to do, and must be done consistently to be effective. Deeds, not words.
(1)
(0)
1SG Cameron M. Wesson
The slogan of one of my infantry battalions... "Deeds not Words"... And what I show, not tell, people to this day.
(1)
(0)
2
2
0
Sir, when I was a LT not long ago my Commander told me I needed to have a mind like a sponge. Soak up all that knowledge! As everyone else has said, an LT needs to be willing to learn as much as possible first and foremost. If you keep an open mind that is willing to learn and follow your moral compass, an LT can be successful in any OPTEMPO. I think this goes for all ranks with any amount of experience.
(2)
(0)
CW2 Joseph Evans
Need a mind like a sieve... let all the useless stuff go. No one likes watery pasta.
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
Read the new FMs written by the veterans that actually learned something over the last ten years...
(2)
(0)
2
2
0
Sir,
If that new 2LT does what he was taught in BOLC, he would 1st be willing to learn from the SSG so he that he could become that good leader and expected professional that the BC is looking for to lead his troops as a PLT LDR.
If they are unable to ask and learn from the experiences and knowledge of that combat trained and experienced NCO, he is not only setting himself up for failure but also his Soldiers as well.
(2)
(0)
LTC(P) (Join to see)
Well said, I think that I would take it a bit further than that, if the LT realizes there is something to learn from everyone of his Soldiers he will get better each day. I learned more about tanks from my first loader (SPC Eric Schultz) than I did from any other. I learned more about taking care of Soldiers from my first PSG and how to employ the tank in the fight from a stellar SSG.to be Every one of them taught me how to be a better officer.
(2)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google