What are some pointers regarding Commander compatibility during a 1SG Interview?

I had command of a QM company and during that tenure had three different 1SG's. Two had very strong attributes in very different ways, and the third was just counting the days till retirement.

What I learned in a Reservist context and would value if I had to do it all over again is a 1SG (looks like you are NG) that could have a strong administrative balance and keep the full time NCO staff in check.

Absent of all the hyped up Army Hooah stuff the 1SG that I had who was an RPAC Supervisor kept the unit's readiness books straight. My younger more Hooah 1SG was fine, and the best example for what the soldiers to be was, but at the end of the day when it came to measurement metrics those started to slip in absence of the RPAC Supervisor skill set I lost.

At the very least............... help the commander keep tabs on the full time staff in check. At least put the hot potato back in his/her lap.

Chances are the CO doesn't know half of what needs to be covered down on. Chances are also good there are new AGR staff barely able to keep their head above water, and chances are there are AGRs in place that know how to just meander along and do the minimum. Rare is the case AGRs are in place that are spot on in all aspects of running a Reserve/NG unit. Those AGR's get better as they go up to BN, BDE, and General Staff, but at the Company level in my view they tend to not be. You'll probably get one strong AGR, but you don't know which section they will be covering down on (HR, Supply, Training, etc).

Example: I was oblivious I needed a Physical Security plan. Companies generally don't need one at all, as per reg it's a BN responsibility. However, I had a stand alone company located by it's lonesome, so per reg I had to have a BN quality physical security plan. Anyway, auditors showed up one day, and my AGR's screwed the pooch. We failed every single item of inspection we got a perfect 0%.

No one ever told me I had to do that. I did it, we passed it next time (barely). I pulled a W2 on orders to make it happen, but not without having to take a lot of crap from BN. It was something we didn't need to fail if I knew it needed being done.

So help the commander keep all the balls in the air. Help him know how many balls are about to smack him on the head.

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NG and USAR are held to 100% of the responsibility as the active component at 10% of the time, pay and resources to do so. Help each other survive the system. That goes for everyone in the unit from E1 to O3.

The system would theoretically work if everyone carried their own weight 100%, but that's not what happens.

The first thing you have to do when you come into the unit as the 1SG is to sit down and have a talk with the CDR. This will help you understand what the CDR expects of you and areas to evaluate in the company. Additionally, do your best to not let ego or personality get in the way of developing that CDR/1SG relationship. Then work with the CDR to make the unit a little better every month and you will be successful.
I saw below that you mentioned MLC. MLC covers battle staff and BDE/DIV level operations. It will not get you ready to be a 1SG. You should attend the Company Commander and First Sergeant Pre-Command course and that is the only thing that gives you some help. It goes over FRG, regulations, and other various programs that you may need for the company.
I spent 3 yrs and 6 mos as a 1SG and enjoyed 90% of it. When your time is up most people loved or hated being a 1SG, but it is all on you and the relationships you build. Good luck!

I was very lucky to have superb Shirts in lace when I took command (3 different squadrons). I think the very nature of a First Sgt makes 99.9% of them perfect. They are helping individual and know how to take care of the troops and advise the CC!