What are some phrases/lines that brand new 2LTs should avoid when addressing their platoons upon arrival at their first duty station?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 21:59:57 -0500

Response by TSgt David L. made Dec 21 at 2016 11:48 PM

TSgt David L. — Wed, 21 Dec 2016 23:48:51 -0500

"According to my map..."
or
"I know exactly where we are..." Hahahaha

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Dec 22 at 2016 12:58 AM

SPC Erich Guenther — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 00:58:46 -0500

"C'mon guys......play the game"

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Dec 22 at 2016 3:21 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 03:21:03 -0500

You have my Sympathy Cadet. The George (Most Junior Ensign O-1) on a Ship gets little to no respect. Carry out your duties as best you can which include babysitting the Ships Mascot and if it goes missing might as well commit Seppuku! LOL!

Response by 1SG Al Brown made Dec 22 at 2016 8:27 AM

1SG Al Brown — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 08:27:08 -0500

"Hey you guys!" That phrase would trigger a tense discussion. It has driven me to near insanity since retirement.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2016 9:50 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 09:50:34 -0500

"In my experience....."

"My ROTC Instructors said....."

"I was born after the Platoon Sergeant joined the Army....."

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Dec 22 at 2016 11:23 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 11:23:29 -0500

If you learn and observe all will be well. Then, you might make judicious comments. Do not comment unless you are absolutely sure you are correct and that the PSG will not wince at your utterances.

Response by Col Joseph Lenertz made Dec 22 at 2016 11:44 AM

Col Joseph Lenertz — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 11:44:09 -0500

Take your responsibilities seriously, but not yourself. Be ready to ask more than tell. Rely on your NCOs and learn from them.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2016 12:08 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 12:08:29 -0500

Trying to get in on the inside jokes of the joes in his platoon. We make fun of you all the time sir, no we do not want you to smoke and joke with us. Luckily my new PL is pretty squared away and listens and learns as much as he can from my plt sgt.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Dec 22 at 2016 12:12 PM

CSM Richard StCyr — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 12:12:12 -0500

My absolute all time favorites "in my experience" or "it has been my experience"

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made Dec 22 at 2016 1:34 PM

CPT Jim Schwebach — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 13:34:52 -0500

"Hi, everybody!" would probably not be the best course of action...

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Dec 22 at 2016 2:28 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 14:28:34 -0500

"Sarge"....don't ever address anyone by "Sarge"

Response by CPT Nicholas D. made Dec 22 at 2016 9:01 PM

CPT Nicholas D. — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 21:01:36 -0500

"Because I said so..." If Senior NCOs or Warrant Officers are questioning your divinely appointed judgment, you should be prepared to have an explanation on your rationale. Treating your subordinate soldiers like they are your children or worse (your peers at officer band camp) will not inspire them. Ever. You may compel their compliance but at the expense of their respect for you.

Response by MAJ David Vermillion made Dec 22 at 2016 9:25 PM

MAJ David Vermillion — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 21:25:39 -0500

Avoid giving the impression you know everything. Big mistake!

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Dec 22 at 2016 10:15 PM

SGT Tony Clifford — Thu, 22 Dec 2016 22:15:08 -0500

Honestly, you're really just there to do paperwork. Just introduce yourself and back your NCOs up. Don't say how you run things, because until you're at least an XO nobody really listens to you.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2016 12:33 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 00:33:57 -0500

Greeeeeeat question Sir, glad you asked. "Get after it" and "lock it up" are 2 of the ones that orritate us the most lol

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2016 12:02 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 12:02:27 -0500

Keep solid communication with other LTs to get their experience too. You're building experience and there is more than just direct observation. For instance, what if your Company Commander or NCOs are wrong? I hate seeing junior people ruined by learning from bad examples. You'll never know if you don't have other sources of intel.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2016 12:07 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 12:07:16 -0500

"How do I read this map?"

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2016 12:11 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Dec 2016 12:11:24 -0500

Don't be this guy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hoUkh1wpxxg

Stupid shit that 2nd LT's say

We all know what it's like to get a new LT... http://gruntstyle.com/

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 26 at 2016 9:53 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 09:53:03 -0500

It's good that you're reaching out and asking this question. And you've had a lot of great posts on this thread. I would suggest never using "Because I'm a 2LT." If you have to resort to using your rank, you've lost the respect of your men. Take time to get to know them. I've had a lot of people tell me that I'm too familiar with my soldier's, because I know their lives and their families. I don't want my men to follow a robot, I want them to follow me as a person. This isn't a phrase, but my piece of advice is to read. Your branch will have a recommended reading list, your BOLC will have a recommended reading list. Your brigade or your division might have one. Read, and learn from those readings. Two things I would advise, read "Platoon Leader: A memoir of Command in Combat" by LTC (RET) James McDonough, and read "The Successful Lieutenant" by CPT Christopher Courtney. The second one is available online. Other than that, best of luck, keep your head up, and know that if you have your soldiers' backs, they'll have yours.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 27 at 2016 8:03 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 08:03:29 -0500

Pretty much anything other than, "Yes Sir" or "Roger, (insert rank and name of senior NCO here)".
A 2LT generally has things to learn, not things to teach.
A new 2LT has everything to learn.

Response by PVT Raymond Lopez made Dec 27 at 2016 10:38 PM

PVT Raymond Lopez — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 22:38:02 -0500

In my vast experiance. When old timers hear that we start giggling!!

Response by CPL Anthony Slaughter made Dec 29 at 2016 7:58 PM

CPL Anthony Slaughter — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 19:58:39 -0500

Anything that insinuates that the Platoon performed poorly before you got there, and that you're the man whose gonna whip them into shape. Remember that just like when a brand new Private comes to a Platoon, you are there to learn, and if there's any whipping to be done, your PSG's already on top of it.

Response by MAJ Will Sullivan made Dec 29 at 2016 9:37 PM

MAJ Will Sullivan — Thu, 29 Dec 2016 21:37:46 -0500

Definately would have to avoid the use of "in my experience.." bluh. Most cases the Lt is cherry young.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2017 7:31 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Jan 2017 19:31:39 -0500

After tracking down your PSG, inform him/her that you plan to be his/ shadow for a while. There's nothing wrong with showing that you are in that position to learn. It shows humility. If your PSG makes a call or statement in front of the joes, support it. If you disagree, do it behind closed doors. Just remember at the end of the day, it's your show.

Response by 1SG Bill Farmerie made Jan 7 at 2017 4:31 PM

1SG Bill Farmerie — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 16:31:27 -0500

Any time a new 2LT opens their mouth is a mistake and should be avoided, except to ask questions

Response by SFC Don Ward made Jan 7 at 2017 8:59 PM

SFC Don Ward — Sat, 07 Jan 2017 20:59:04 -0500

My buddies said...................

Response by 1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2017 12:38 AM

1LT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 00:38:57 -0500

Please get to know your soldiers. A lot of officers just care about rank and how to ladder climb. In my opinion there are two types of officers; ones who took the job to better themselves and ones who took the job to better the ones they serve with. I spent many years enlisted and saw poor leadership on both sides of the isle (i.e. Enlisted and officer) because they only cared about themselves. Learn who your men are and learn how to serve them and do everything that's in your power to help them and their careers. A leader is only as successful as the people he leads!

Response by MSgt Sandra McKinney Dent made Jan 8 at 2017 11:26 AM

MSgt Sandra McKinney Dent — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 11:26:51 -0500

Ideal situation, the "senior" in rank, but very "junior" in experience will seek the advice and counsel, as well as learn (practical skills and unit customs) greatly from the Senior NCOs. It will be done well, "advice" given in private and no one ever the wiser. Except that the "new" guy with the bars is confident with experience.

Lieutenant/Ensign, do not try to become "buddies" with those of similar age or interests as yours. Do not place yourself between the junior enlisted and their NCOs and do not undermine the authority of your NCOs.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 8 at 2017 10:21 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Jan 2017 22:21:12 -0500

Had a brand new 2LT come in and say "well, I don't know anything, so teach me." While I appreciate the thought behind it, it was still a stupid thing to say in front of formation on the first day. Want to say that to your PSG? Fine, but not in front of the joes.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 1 at 2017 6:28 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 Feb 2017 18:28:04 -0500

Watch Generation Kill (or read One Bullet Away). Observe 1LT Nathaniel Fick, and contrast him with some of the other officers in that unit. That's a pretty good example of what you should strive for- a balance. Do not be passive and let your PSG lead you around by the nose, but understand he or she has the benefit of experience, and you would be wise to consider what they have to say.

When it comes to first addressing your troops, be brief. You are not Patton. Introduce yourself, tell them a bit about who you are and where you come from, and tell them how proud you are to lead them.

Lastly, I don't want to dash your expectations, but you may not have troops to address right away. Not everyone is guaranteed a PL position. Depending on the branch and unit, you may not ever be a PL; but as an officer you will always have an opportunity to lead. You will just need to adjust your strategy and do the best you can at whatever job you have.