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As an NCO for 6 years, my advice to myself: listen to NCOs. And as a BHO (edit: Behavioral Health Officer), I know I'll need to remain approachable. I'm sure I'll learn about how to behave like an officer by being around them. But I'm thinking ahead, and curious about what thoughts might be offered here.
Posted in these groups: 
Direct Commission
Officer
Leadership Development
Leadership
Behavioral Health
Direct Commission Officer Leadership Development Leadership Behavioral Health
Edited 3 y ago
Posted 3 y ago
Responses: 14
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Well, it looks like you are a medical corps officer in the NG at the Brigade level. That said, so it looks like you are less exposed to really getting in the weeds with soldier issues in regard to readiness, accountability, and company/platoon oversight. Just my guess.
I think I suffered from not having OCS in my TRADOC process. POOF you're an officer. All the "how to be an army leader/officer" was not bestowed upon me. Direct commissioning means I was largely entrusted to already have it. It says "this guy doesn't need OCS".
Now, I was an NCO, but didn't get any designated officer training outside of BOLC. Then I took command only a year into 1LT time and was basically just treading water just enough to keep from drowning the whole time. Compound that with being USAR TPU and really, we are only talking about a few months of experience (collectively) before getting in the deep end.
I think this goes for any position. Look to see what your mentors and peers do. Just enjoy the moment. I look at my position now as a CPT (only a year TIG) and the window will close to me very soon here to maneuver my career direction. I can take another command, and I bounce around a few staff positions, I can maybe change into another Branch. Once I hit MAJ those pathways close to me.
I think the jab at Mustangs was the pent up power trip ready to pounce on Sr NCO's we had to tolerate while subordinate to them. That said, a NCO will give you all the rope you need to hang yourself if you want it. So be very sure of yourself where you exercise military authority and when, and in what context. NCO's invariably belong to someone higher than an LT.
I think I suffered from not having OCS in my TRADOC process. POOF you're an officer. All the "how to be an army leader/officer" was not bestowed upon me. Direct commissioning means I was largely entrusted to already have it. It says "this guy doesn't need OCS".
Now, I was an NCO, but didn't get any designated officer training outside of BOLC. Then I took command only a year into 1LT time and was basically just treading water just enough to keep from drowning the whole time. Compound that with being USAR TPU and really, we are only talking about a few months of experience (collectively) before getting in the deep end.
I think this goes for any position. Look to see what your mentors and peers do. Just enjoy the moment. I look at my position now as a CPT (only a year TIG) and the window will close to me very soon here to maneuver my career direction. I can take another command, and I bounce around a few staff positions, I can maybe change into another Branch. Once I hit MAJ those pathways close to me.
I think the jab at Mustangs was the pent up power trip ready to pounce on Sr NCO's we had to tolerate while subordinate to them. That said, a NCO will give you all the rope you need to hang yourself if you want it. So be very sure of yourself where you exercise military authority and when, and in what context. NCO's invariably belong to someone higher than an LT.
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1LT (Join to see)
1LT (Join to see) - I'm pretty sure I'll stay out of the weeds of accountability and oversight. I'll be in a better position to offer mental health support, or to do command-directed evaluations, if I have not also been responsible to oversee and manage other things.
What I mean is that as a behavioral health officer, it's better for Soldiers to know me as just that, and not the LT they need to report to for any other aspect of the mission.
What I mean is that as a behavioral health officer, it's better for Soldiers to know me as just that, and not the LT they need to report to for any other aspect of the mission.
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Be yourself, and listen to your NCO's. Oftentimes, I have seen some (only some) Mustangs have a bit more of an issue than those of us that had no military experience and were direct commissioned. My next door neighbor at my first base was one of those, his wife was worse.
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1LT (Join to see)
Thank you! I'm really curious: what was the trouble that the mustangs were having? Why would have more trouble than those without experience? Can take the Soldier out of the NCO corps but can't take the NCO corps out of the Soldier?
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Maj Marty Hogan
1LT (Join to see) as a maverick myself with over 28 years of enlisted time, most have power struggle issues. Reverent power versus legal power type stuff. Some people can't get over them selves enough to be true leaders. I never took myself too seriously and simple try to lead. The NCOs know their jobs, their people, and the area better than I do in most cases. Try not to change to much to fast....and never feel bigger than you are.
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Maj Robert Thornton
1LT (Join to see) pretty much what Maj Marty Hogan posted. Some mustangs forget from whence they came.
At my first base we had mixed rank housing. My best friend was a TSgt, still is one of my oldest friends. Our family's did everything together, we hunted, fished etc. My next door neighbor couldn't get over that fact.
My TSgt friend also gave me the everything you need to know in the Air Force talk to a brand new butter bar. When I went to work, I expected my techs to know their job. If they needed help it was readily given. I rarely had to tell my techs what they needed to do. As I progressed I was often asked by some of my enlisted if I had been enlisted previously, I took that as a compliment.
At my first base we had mixed rank housing. My best friend was a TSgt, still is one of my oldest friends. Our family's did everything together, we hunted, fished etc. My next door neighbor couldn't get over that fact.
My TSgt friend also gave me the everything you need to know in the Air Force talk to a brand new butter bar. When I went to work, I expected my techs to know their job. If they needed help it was readily given. I rarely had to tell my techs what they needed to do. As I progressed I was often asked by some of my enlisted if I had been enlisted previously, I took that as a compliment.
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MAJ Byron Oyler
1LT (Join to see) - BHO is not a term well known in AMEDD and I have worked with many social workers doing behavioral health.
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