Company level leadership; fighting for our nation and preparing Soldiers. Do you agree that is everything?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 08:11:55 -0400

As a Company level leader, Captain, Lieutenant, and Sergeant, you should always be doing one of two things. Fighting in the defense of our great nation, and preparing our Soldiers for that fight. It's that simple!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 8:15 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 08:15:48 -0400

Couldn't agree more

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 8:25 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 08:25:10 -0400

I agree with the sentiment, but I think it is much more involved than that.
Much of a Sergeant's time is (wisely) spent on getting to know their Soldiers, counseling them through their issues, and developing them to someday take on larger roles and responsibilities. As a First Sergeant, I did those things constantly, with the additional responsibility to build effective teams.
Management of our people is every bit as important as preparing them for war.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 24 at 2015 12:32 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 12:32:41 -0400

I would add having a good campaign plan, understanding the enemy and the host nation.

Response by MSG (Ret.) John Centuolo made Jun 25 at 2015 1:57 PM

MSG (Ret.) John Centuolo — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 13:57:56 -0400

I'm sure there's more that can be done, but at what point do we actually pin more responsibility on our junior enlisted and junior officers. There's only so many hours in a day, leadership needs to share the responsibility. No one likes a single point of failure, share the mission, accomplish the mission, continue on to the next mission. Always training for excellence. In today's world you must train in everything and be Always Ready.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 25 at 2015 3:33 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 15:33:18 -0400

For the logistics units, trained for war and providing world class logistics support.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 25 at 2015 6:37 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Jun 2015 18:37:42 -0400

Not at all, you should spend the majority of your time ensuring your reports are tip top, that every waking moment, or sleeping, your Soldier's have is under complete and utter supervision and control. Your training should be so controlled that no one ever stubs a toe. You should also ensure no tasks outside your assigned sector are ever acknowledged, and most importantly that your individual OER states the defense of this country will fail if this Soldier is not promoted tomorrow.

Oh and flu shots cancel all training if a Soldier in the brigade missed an immunization.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 27 at 2015 7:38 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sat, 27 Jun 2015 19:38:01 -0400

That is the summary. Then comes execution.

Response by 1LT William Clardy made Jun 27 at 2015 8:03 PM

1LT William Clardy — Sat, 27 Jun 2015 20:03:16 -0400

With all due respect, SSG Private RallyPoint Member, no, it is not that simple.

If you want to define it that simply, then the two things should be fighting for the nation and preparing for that fight.

Preparing your soldiers for that fight is only part of the latter job. There are also all the tools of the trade which need to be kept ready -- after all, what good is a rifleman with no magazines, or a tank crew with a shot-out main gun? Then there is making sure that you have at least the minimal number of soldiers you need for your part of the fight -- again, an administrative task quite distinct from training your soldiers.

Most importantly, you cannot overlook preparing yourself for your role. What good is a squad whose leader can't lead them, or a company with a commander who is overwhelmed during a battle?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2015 11:58 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Jun 2015 11:58:40 -0400

I would add that you need to develop yourself as well. If you yourself are not properly trained and go to get more knowledge and experience how can you do anything for your subordinates? Experience is the best education and helps you to pass it down to your subordinates and peers.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 30 at 2015 5:37 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 30 Jun 2015 17:37:55 -0400

The leadership should create a finely oiled machine that is capable of making decisions quickly.