Does anyone still believe in and use a leader's book?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 10:31:54 -0500

Maybe it's just me but I don't see too many NCO's using a leader's book anymore. I find it to be a helpful tool as a leader and it helps keep things in order and makes it easier to keep track of things. Is there anyone else who still use the leader's book?

Response by SSG Audwin Scott made Jan 15 at 2016 10:33 AM

SSG Audwin Scott — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 10:33:33 -0500

I know the leader's book is important, but does anyone still use it? Good question.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2016 10:40 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 10:40:54 -0500

I still use it. I might use it more than others because of being a DS, but I think that I'd be lost without it!

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jan 15 at 2016 10:41 AM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 10:41:47 -0500

SSG Private RallyPoint Member I do, even though I am retired it keeps me organized. I used it throughout my career and it was a valued commodity.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2016 10:43 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 10:43:43 -0500

Yes! But as much as I hate to say it not many do from what I've seen. The solution I'm trying now is to make leaderbooks that are kept as Team Equipment, leader signs it out, and maintains it while here, and then turns it over to the next leader when they transfer out. Hopefully it'll make a difference

Response by 1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2016 10:45 AM

1SG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 10:45:10 -0500

I do

Response by SSG Lenzie Bailey made Jan 15 at 2016 10:46 AM

SSG Lenzie Bailey — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 10:46:03 -0500

I assume they do but just not in the hard copy format like we were required to have in the past. But with all the smartphones,iPhone and tablets out now. I bet they are still being used they are just digital now.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2016 10:48 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 10:48:28 -0500

I still use a leaders book I have 12 soldiers to keep track of and I find it very helpful. I mainly use it to keep track of appointments and different achievements that go on there monthly counseling and any information I may need on a dailey basis but that is just the way I have mine set up because my unit doesn't have a set standard how they want them.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2016 10:51 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 10:51:08 -0500

My SMAJ believes in it. That means I need to believe in it as well. As a platoon sergeant I totally would, but as a Squadleader it is a toss up.

Response by SSG Leroy Farmer made Jan 15 at 2016 11:04 AM

SSG Leroy Farmer — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 11:04:41 -0500

I used one from the first day I put on the hard stripes.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2016 11:21 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 11:21:18 -0500

I'm guard and I use one. Since I don't see my soldiers everyday, it helps for me to keep up with questions in between drills.

Response by SGT Justin Anderson made Jan 15 at 2016 11:38 AM

SGT Justin Anderson — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 11:38:10 -0500

My leaders book was my everything. If I wasn't going to be present for any reason, it was given to the next NCO in charge so he had all the info. I had sections for soldiers counseling packets, NCOERs, all the way down to our squads equipment inspection papers. With out that thing we wouldn't gotten anything done. Saved our butts a lot too with equipment and hand receipts since our unit didn't properly track papers.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jan 15 at 2016 11:52 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 11:52:38 -0500

Yes, sort-of. I carry a buckslip in my back pocket to take notes with, which I transfer to my phone and a thumbdrive.

In the modern age, I'm able to store far more information electronically than I ever was with an old notebook/FCC.

The idea is to have "some" form of organization. It doesn't matter if it's notecards, a rolodex, a leaders' book, or a file cabinet. The idea is just to have a "system" that you can use to access the information you need about your people. A leaders' book is Formalizing an Informal TTP so that people actively think about it.

Response by SSG Dale Wyatt made Jan 15 at 2016 11:58 AM

SSG Dale Wyatt — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 11:58:51 -0500

I whole heartidly believe in the use of a leader book. When I was leaving in 2010, I was the senior E-6 for the small tear detachment we had of people who were in the process of discharge, medical evaluations and such. When I assumed responsibility of my NCO's, I told them that I expected them to build and maintain a leader book because of the immense value contained for an NCO to manage those they are responsible for in a timely and efficient manner. All NCO's know that we are the backbone of our respective service branches and can at times be loaded up with tasks, training, missions, reports and evaluations at times. Having a leader book puts so much valuable information in front of you that it is a must for all levels. A few years after I had left, I ran into an NCO who I had been responsible for and he relayed that demanding they develop their leader books helped them so much, that those who were there and still are in still use them to this day.

Response by SSG Daniel Miller made Jan 15 at 2016 12:42 PM

SSG Daniel Miller — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 12:42:36 -0500

If you don't have a leader'leader's book, you are doing an injustice to your Soldiers and yourself, and your supervisor should be fired. I'm not saying it has to be a massive binder (but it helps), but you should be maintaining paperwork on all of your Soldiers for when it is time for counseling, ETS, or 1SG needs recommendations for the board. Having your paperwork in line helps your Soldiers.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2016 1:07 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 13:07:33 -0500

It is a great tool to keep you on track. It allows you to keep detailed records of your personnel's counseling (both positive and negative) making the evaluation process simple! You can easily hold your Soldiers accountable for their actions and reward them accordingly for their accomplishments.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2016 1:48 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 13:48:55 -0500

Believe in it.
Use it.
Enforce it's use in subordinates.

I do a lot digitally now, so the hard cover book is thinner than it once was, but it still is an invaluable tool, particularly for counseling and Soldier development.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2016 2:31 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 14:31:55 -0500

Thanks for bringing this one up. I will insist on it in my command philosophy.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2016 2:46 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 14:46:55 -0500

Yes. In my book and electronic

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2016 3:46 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 15:46:01 -0500

I did until the day I retired. Like you said it is a good place to keep notes, data, etc.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2016 5:25 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 17:25:11 -0500

Absolutely! I keep a book with quick references, soldier info, training tracking, and several blank forms.
In my last company my platoon also had a shared space on Google drive. We had a few spreadsheets and trackers on there that you had to have a password and permissions to access. We kept counseling trackers, mask and rifle numbers, locker assignments and things like that on there, as well as contact numbers and mailing addresses.
I carried as little PII as possible though.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2016 5:46 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 17:46:14 -0500

An actual leaders book no however I computerized that type of information so yes just changing forms.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 15 at 2016 7:27 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 15 Jan 2016 19:27:26 -0500

I have mine on my phone and a backup hard copy at the office. It is a helpful tool. There is an app called leader book which is helpful.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2016 1:22 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 13:22:34 -0500

I can say that I have never had one I used. Always had one when I took a Soldier to the promotion board but that's it. They always preached we had to have one but would tell us they would come up with a new book example for us. Not one time did they ever come up with one. I went and got my own but when they looked at it they would just tell me it's a bull shit book and to find a better one. So I just stopped caring. Like someone stated earlier we have them digital now. Now I am a PSG and a Motor sergeant for my battalion I have something similar.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 16 at 2016 3:40 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 16 Jan 2016 15:40:08 -0500

There is this new invention called the smart phone. It even includes leader's books apps...that's what I use. I even sinc and back it up to a hard drive in case I have to get a new phone

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2016 9:35 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 09:35:59 -0500

I still use my leaders books because all of the great leaders that I have had over my career have told me that there is know better way to have everything you need to know about your Soldiers on hand than to have a leaders book. If you have great leaders the best way for the Army to keep having leaders like them is to step up and become one.

Response by SSG Oliver Mathews made Jan 17 at 2016 9:44 AM

SSG Oliver Mathews — Sun, 17 Jan 2016 09:44:15 -0500

I use a broken down version. I keep basic a Basic Personal Data Sheet, checklists like Counselingc, APFT, Medpros and Monthly notes in mine. All other documents that i dont need to access immediately are digital.

The best thing i added was a laminated sheet, that i can write on with map markers. Great for appointments and short term issues.

Response by SSG Clarence Moore made Jan 23 at 2016 10:28 PM

SSG Clarence Moore — Sat, 23 Jan 2016 22:28:20 -0500

You can put the whole leaders book on a geek stick and saved on your personal laptop. I kept my personal laptop at work during the last 5 or 6 years I was in.