Posted on May 13, 2015
SSG Toryn Green
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I am in the process of getting a direct commission. I have 9 years of enlisted service and I'm an NCO of two years. What is the best advice you would have to offer someone in my situation?
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MAJ Operations Officer (S3)
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Edited >1 y ago
Here's a few things I would offer:

Your time as an NCO provides you tactical knowledge and perspective. It will help you hit the ground running as a new PL. However understand that many of your duties will still be new to you. To use a personal example, there's a significant difference in maneuvering a fire team and fighting a Platoon. Leverage your experience and knowledge and learn your new duties as a Commissioned Officer. As a PL my PSG only had 3 more years time in service than I did. However there were still many times where he helped and guided me along the way. Your PSG is responsible for your development, make sure you listen.

Be prepared to be treated like every other green 2LT. Right or wrong, Soldiers are going to look at your rank and make assumptions before they know you. I remember a prior service SFC at BOLC who was furious when a SSG Cadre member blew him off when he tried offering advice. Even now with close to 9 years time in service I'll get slick-sleeve SPC's who automatically assume I'm an idiot simply because I have a bar on my chest.

Be prepared to dedicate a lot more of your personal time preparing for Battle Assemblies and Annual Training. You should be on step 8 of the TLPs when you have opening formation. To give you some perspective, as a Company Commander I spend close to 20 hours a week preparing.

Best of luck in your future endeavors. Commissioning is both a heavy commitment and an awesome job at the same time.
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SSG Toryn Green
SSG Toryn Green
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Sir, thank you for the great advice! I have been looking forward to this opportunity for awhile now. I have already been shown many of the tasks I would be doing in a regular basis, but I intend to learn as much as possible in BOLC and rely heavily on my seasoned NCOs for support and development. Most importantly, I won't let it go to my head. I'm not in it for the rank. I'm in it to have more opportunities to lead and impact young soldiers lives in a positive way.
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Capt Retired
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Remember that your new job is different. You have an advantage because you already know some about the Army.

Now, as said above, listen, learn, and lead.
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SSgt Charles Edwards
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The best advice I can offer is something that was told to me before I became a NCO. Don't forget where you came from. I've always admired those officers who were prior enlisted. They have an understanding of how the enlisted ranks operate and what makes them tick. If anything, being prior enlisted helps in relating to the troops better. Congratulations on the commission.
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