What are some lessons learned from being a Battalion S-6? What training/prep would you recommend?

CPT Andrew Collins- are you going into a BN S-6 shop? I would look at garrison vs deployment and then in my personnel:background, education, skills, certifications, experience, career progression, ect.
Once you get an assessment of your team you need to review your MTOE equipment and then get outside and set it up. I'd work up a few staff battle drills as well such as load plan in connex, load plan in vehicle, loan plan in TOC, TOC configuration, ect. The biggest issue you will have is in training your folks while there are competing demands.

In the field, you must understand network architecture and how it affects positively or negatively the operation. I don't know your systems but I see you are a OC/T with Div East. I am sure you have seen units attempting to send 1G data through the pipes and the information is never delivered.

Training - I'd look at every communication item and plan on a training lane like a STX lane. Set up the CPOF, FBCB2, BFT, JCR, JCR log, set up your TOC monitors, pop up MIRC Chat, set up any VTC type or tele-conference..... Get 2 personnel per unit plus your 6 Team and train and know all these systems.

I'd also get with the network folks and get an understanding on CASIs, and LIS equipment. A unit that cannot order supplies will soon have issues.

Last- know this. S6 is a tough job. The bosses SIPR goes down at 0200 and its your ass. The S-3 can't work BFT or understand how to set graphics in CPOF its your ass. So, your job is to understand the environment, understand that no one will appreciate you, but everyone wants you. Best of luck. And take care of your Soldiers. They will make you look like a communication god.

Everybody wants something done for them ASAP from the BN CDR down to the that young PVT, patience is a virtue in the BN S-6 and you have to make sure everyone knows that from the beginning. Also, no one notices the BN S-6, unless something commo-wise goes wrong, otherwise it like we are in the shadows.

My thoughts on this would ask the questions:
1. Is there a Brigade S6 that you'd be answering to? If that is the case, you'll be responsible for taking care of your Battalion's communications needs while you'll receive guidance from the higher tier. Getting in touch with those folks will help determine what will best help you prepare for your role.
2. Will there be overlap in your arrival and the person you may be replacing's departure to allow for transition?
3. Is the Battalion S6 NCOIC or commo chief available to help provide you what you'll need to know?

I believe the best officers I've worked for in an S6 shop are those that learn the strengths and weaknesses of the whole team, and works on developing them. Giving the soldiers opportunities to develop their skills (schools/training/certifications) and being able to respond to the unit's mission requirements will be hard to balance but important.

I've worked in many different S6 shops at different levels of organization. I know I learned a lot working in a Regimental S6, and training a lot of people who came in while the majority of the unit was deployed in both officers and enlisted. I've also learned there's a good deal of difference in type of unit and how different a garrison based 6 shop and a deployed or tactical 6 shop can be. I used to make jokes that I was a "strategic 25 Bravo" versus some of my soldiers who had more "tactical 25 Bravo" experiences. Op Tempo for a unit getting ready to deploy versus routine garrison duties are quite different.