Posted on Oct 13, 2014
What would you do if you were a Company Commander for a day?
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After 14 years in the Army, 5 years Enlisted, 3 years as a Warrant Officer, and 5 years Commissioned, I am now a Company Commander. One of the best groups of guys and gals I have ever worked with as well. On more than one occasion I’ve caught myself saying “If I were the Commander I would…”. So I have done some of those things, like formally executing a Zonk at PT after a really hard week of rucking it through the mountains of Korea. I truly have a great chain of command which allows me freedom of maneuver so I am always looking for input from my guys to see what Ideas they come up with. This really builds ownership in the group and I am hoping to find some good ideas.
So here is my question for discussion. What is the one thing you would like to do if you were commander for a day or week? Best answer might make it on my training calendar. I am always looking for ways to reward my Soldiers, aside from providing them with challenging and realistic training.
So here is my question for discussion. What is the one thing you would like to do if you were commander for a day or week? Best answer might make it on my training calendar. I am always looking for ways to reward my Soldiers, aside from providing them with challenging and realistic training.
Posted in these groups: 
Command
Command
Edited 10 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 17
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Provide Dunkin Donuts and coffee and rent those sumo wrestler suits and let everyone take their frustrations out on each othe, then the winner could take me on. It would provide some good laghs!
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Declare a training holiday! No...would seek first to do no harm. I believe in shadow mentoring and would look at such a program that way, expecting one for the 1SG too (1SG for a Day).
In my view these are the things NCOs of the Quarter, etc should do.
In my view these are the things NCOs of the Quarter, etc should do.
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SSG Buddy Kemper
Ruck run at 0530, Building clearance/room search training after morning chow, training would end about 1445 hours Steak and shrimp nite with a keg at evening chow.
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One thing you could do as a commander is make it easy for NCO's at the team leader level to recognize their Joe's hard work. Put in a system where they can recommend them for a three day weekend when they've put in the extra effort without being asked to. Often we lose a lot of great lower enlisted because they feel like the work they are doing doesn't matter, and they aren't recognized for it. It's a great way to boost moral, and not reward slackers who detract from the mission.
Second, lead from the front during PT. Rotate through squads as a participant, so the enlisted see you working hard. In several company's I was in, the 1SG and Commander did pt together and we only saw them on Company runs or rucks. It also sets the tone that your NCO's are competent, and you trust what they are doing for PT is beneficial. Don't make a big deal out of it or let them know ahead of time. Just fall in and participate. Your 1SG should be doing the same thing.
Second, lead from the front during PT. Rotate through squads as a participant, so the enlisted see you working hard. In several company's I was in, the 1SG and Commander did pt together and we only saw them on Company runs or rucks. It also sets the tone that your NCO's are competent, and you trust what they are doing for PT is beneficial. Don't make a big deal out of it or let them know ahead of time. Just fall in and participate. Your 1SG should be doing the same thing.
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