Posted on Dec 13, 2014
1SG Theater Operations Division Ncoic | Us Army Regional Cyber Center   Conus
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I was speaking to one of my young Sergeants this evening about leadership and he said to me that during this current deployment (I'm in Iraq) is when he learned how to be a leader. He has been a SGT now for about two years and he was saying that he never really understood what leadership was until our little "mentorship" session in the motorpool in Kuwait where I kind of went all Drill Sergeant on him when he came to tell me about two SPCs leaving the motorpool before the work was done instead of challenging them and putting them back to work. Now one thing he said to me that resonated with me is that prior to him pinning on those hard stripes that he was never mentored for leadership while coming up through the ranks. Now since my days as a young Private all the way until the present I have received some form of leadership mentoring and I take the time to mentor all of my Hooahs. When we promote people to the rank of SGT and even the rank of CPL we are saying that they are ready to lead troops. We promote these kids and say "go take care of Joe", but don't stop to think whether or not we've properly mentored these young Warriors to be Warrior-Leaders. Whatever happen to the days of the true NCOPD? I'm not talking about these powerpoint classes on how to fill out a leave form or anything of te sort. I mean real NCOPD where Sr NCOs take Jr NCOs for an afternoon and really show them how to lead and take care of Soldiers. I remember my predecessors taking me and showing me resources and giving me tools so I can take care of Soldiers. Sure there was the occasional class on filling out a DA 638, but now that seems to be the standard. The new Sarge doesn't know that when Joe or Jane is having a financial problem to get them to finance or take them to ACS for a budgeting class or anything of the like, and they always have to wait for the Senior to appear in order to help the Soldier. Meanwhile, Joe's problem is getting bigger. We need to bring back the art of mentorship so that our young leaders will have the same tools as us old dogs, that way they can take care of their Soldiers better and lead them right,
Posted in these groups: Getakwwcoach Mentorship
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Responses: 10
MAJ Senior Signal Oc
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Mentorship has declined. Now instead of real NCOPDs people are more worried about 500 hours of SHARP, EO, EEO and whatever else they come up with.
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SFC Pete Kain
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Edited >1 y ago
Dig deep and Be the N.C.O. Leadership is not a popularity contest and not something to post on social media. Just what the hell is wrong with you guys?
If soldiers act out, do not be afraid to counsel them or recommend U.C.M.J. action.

Mentorship...SMDH
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SFC Pete Kain
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Mentorship, hell we used to call that LEAD BY EXAMPLE
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