Platoon Leader
Platoon Leader
Posted on Dec 9, 2020
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I was enlisted as an 11B in the Guard, now I'll be a 2LT 11A on Active Duty. What can I expect when arriving at my first Regular Army unit? Also what do you expect of a platoon leader? What makes the best officers in the Infantry?
11A: Infantry Officer
Infantry Basic Officer Leader Course (IBOLC)
Platoon Leader
Ranger School
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 24
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Never forget what you went through when you were an 11B, when you'd get some weird task or have to do stuff that seemed like a waste of time or that "LT was just trying to pad his OER".
Your Soldiers will do amazing things for you if you take care of em, train in the mud WITH them, fight for them when it's needed (schools, etc), and above all Listen To The PSG and SSGs!! They're there to help you!
SSGs run the platoon, PSG advises the PL (and maintenance/medevac/supply), PL provides direction. Those above you may try to hinder Mission Command, but you need to live it and let your subordinate leaders do what they do best!
Your Soldiers will do amazing things for you if you take care of em, train in the mud WITH them, fight for them when it's needed (schools, etc), and above all Listen To The PSG and SSGs!! They're there to help you!
SSGs run the platoon, PSG advises the PL (and maintenance/medevac/supply), PL provides direction. Those above you may try to hinder Mission Command, but you need to live it and let your subordinate leaders do what they do best!
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Sgt Dennis Doty
This is great advice and identical to what I would have offered as a former Marine NCO. Officers who aren't afraid to get their uniforms dirty, go to bat for their men when appropriate and listen to their NCOs were the ones we'd follow to the gates of hell. The spit and polish "God's gifts" to the officer corps, were doomed to failure from the start.
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I've said it before and will say it again....
God gave you 2 ears and 1 mouth. Listen twice as much as you speak.
Listen to your NCOs, but develop a good BS meter.
Don't try to change anything until you understand why it being done that way.
Get familiar with all local command procedures and know the intent of them.
Ensure you get a clear, complete understanding of your Company Commander's expectations.
God gave you 2 ears and 1 mouth. Listen twice as much as you speak.
Listen to your NCOs, but develop a good BS meter.
Don't try to change anything until you understand why it being done that way.
Get familiar with all local command procedures and know the intent of them.
Ensure you get a clear, complete understanding of your Company Commander's expectations.
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As an Active duty Infantry Officer first and foremost you need to come to terms with things being completely different than they were In the guard. Secondly, your number one goal needs be putting a Ranger tab on your left arm. It’s expected of Infantry Officers. If your BN Commander is tabbed and you show up without one, there’s a good chance youll be doing something other than leading a platoon. Understand that as a PL you are eyes and ears for about the first 6 months to a year. Allow your PSG and fellow PL’s to show you the ropes and be receptive. If you’re the type who thinks you have a gold bar and you run the show, your ship will sink fast. Be a leader and set the example at all times, physically, tactically and technically. Lastly have a personality. If your NCOs and Joes can’t joke with you or have a good conversation with you they won’t care to be around you or give 100% for you. GL
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LtCol Robert Quinter
In the event you end up on the battalion staff, your responsibility to enlisted doesn't evaporate, it is just amplified to include every soldier and officer in the battalion, in addition to being a direct representative of the battalion commanding officer and subject to his vision of where his unit is going.
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