(Officers and NCOs) What lessons did you learn in your staff positions?

I was a staff officer at the Pentagon for almost six years, and I learned that it's important work. Or, at least, it can be important work. We kept things moving along - for the lower echelons (the "field") - with our seemingly mundane tasks. And that's why a sense of purpose and urgency is critical in staff positions. It may seem to be a routine task to you, but there's likely somebody out in the "field" waiting for that action to be completed, and it's not routine for him or her.

In 22+ years on active duty in the Army I have spent 2.5 years in schools, 3 years as a non-commander leader (Platoon Leader), 5 years training others (AC/RC and Combat Advisors), 7 years on a staff (Division, Brigade and Squadron/Battalion), and 4.5 years as a commander (Company and Battalion).

When I trained others, I worked to make sure that my commander was getting the best trained Soldiers and that the commanders providing the Soldiers for training received the best training.

Everytime I have been on a staff, I have always seen my responsibility as making sure the commander(s) had what was necessary. On Battalion/Squadron Staff I worked for not only the Battalion/Squadron Commander, but also for each of the company/troop commanders. Same while on Brigade and Division Staff. My boss was the higher commander, but I was responsible to serve the subordinate commanders and ensure they had what they needed to accomplish their missions.

Staff assignments helped me understand what I needed to be able to do as a commander and leader, just as being a commander or leader helped me understand what staffs should do in support.

well, I had a few different staff positions. In a brigade combat team I was the support operations NCO, at the division I was movement control NCOIC, at DLA I was again either the NCOIC or the support operations NCO. the one common theme that I took from each position what's the need of each staff officer Officer and NCO to understand the mission and commanders intent... and if there was a question about either, ask the question. There is nothing more frustrating then thinking you know the mission and commanders intent and being wrong or worse yet... Trying to be mind reader. The second thing I learned was attention to detail, check check and recheck all figures and don't bank on Murphy no it showing up to the party uninvited... Plan for murphy to show up in the beginning, the middle, the end. That my friends is my two cents.