How can I be an effective and productive NCO without guidance, mentorship and coaching to get me there?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 16:30:06 -0400

BLUF: I need a mentor, and my unit is not supporting this. How can I be an effective and productive NCO without guidance, mentorship and coaching to get me there? Is there an RP member (preferably in Infantry Branch) that can help facilitate this? To clarify, I am in a BCT battalion. That's Basic Combat Training, not Brigade Combat Team. I work for the S3 shop. I have several NCOs that I COULD follow along after, however, none of them are willing to take the time to be a true NCO for me. There is no leadership for me, until it is time to drop the hammer on Joe. I have an E8 MSG that is trying to help me out, but most of what he is giving me is "read the FM." While I understand that the FM is important, and I have been digging into it, it does not teach you how to be a good Team Leader, Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, etc. And with the goals that I have for my career, I am in dire straights for a sound NCO mentor that can teach and show me how to lead, train, and coach Joe when he is under me.

Response by SGT James Puff made Mar 15 at 2016 4:34 PM

SGT James Puff — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 16:34:25 -0400

Read books about leadership and mentoring.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 15 at 2016 4:38 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 16:38:58 -0400

Turn to your right. Turn to your left. Look up, look down. Everywhere around you are mentors.

Mentors are not (necessarily) formalized positions. You team leader is a mentor. Your squad leader is a mentor. So is the 1SG. Anyone senior to you is a mentor. The Supply guy is a mentor. Mentoring happens in 15 minute bursts, and in 2 year relationships.

But check out Tai Lopez and the "33% Rule" and "The protege effect" (learning by teaching others). Remember that you have 750K mentors here as well.

Response by 1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 4:43 PM

1stSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 16:43:55 -0400

Read. Everything you need to know is in a book. There is no reason why a 22 year old man can not have the mind of a 3000 year old. Semper Fidelis.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 4:44 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 16:44:36 -0400

What you got man? 11B here. Shoot me a message

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 4:45 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 16:45:02 -0400

A mentor isn't something provided to you by the army or your unit. A mentor is someone you find through out your years of service who you can look at as a strong influence in your career. Like the others have said you probably have great influences around you just need to realize when other Soldiers are doing you good or trying to set you up for failure. Find someone you think is going places and ask them for guidance in areas you need to improve on, if they are truly a great leader they will be ecstatic to see a young Soldier looking to move forward and more then happy to help you get where ever it is you are trying to go.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 4:46 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 16:46:12 -0400

Your unit is not supporting this? That's a broad statement. What about your team leader? Squad leader? Etc.? You mean to tell me that in your entire unit, you can't find repoire with ONE NCO?

Help me out here... I'm lost.

Response by SPC Andrew Griffin made Mar 15 at 2016 4:48 PM

SPC Andrew Griffin — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 16:48:59 -0400

I wouldn't mind brother! Mentor and Prayer Partner!

Response by CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols made Mar 15 at 2016 5:00 PM

CPO Amb. Terry Earthwind Nichols — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 17:00:00 -0400

A mentor, by design, is someone who is there to help on your path. Someone who is not distorted by their own experience and more present with and you and your path. If this resonates with you then contact me.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 5:38 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 17:38:04 -0400

Focus on your job, master it, maintain good height/weight and APFT and you are already stepping up to the plate as a junior Soldier looking to become an NCO. Remember how you are currently treated and when you are in charge of Soldiers, take care of them as prescribed by your role as a manager and leader but do it with empathy. Moreover, take the time to read FM 7-21.13 and use it as a reference or "gateway" to learning more about Army management. I hope this helps!

Response by SGT Jonathon Caldwell made Mar 15 at 2016 6:53 PM

SGT Jonathon Caldwell — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 18:53:01 -0400

There are plenty of us here. You are going to have to be more specific on what you need help with. Are you already a team leader? Do subordinates report directly to you? Are we talking tactical knowledge? You will get all kinds of answers that may not be what you are looking for at this time if you aren't a little more specific.

Response by SGT Benjamin Huminski made Mar 15 at 2016 8:11 PM

SGT Benjamin Huminski — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 20:11:58 -0400

Not all units will provide mentors. Look around your unit and find the leaders that you admire and take those traits and grow them in to your own. Leadership is not about being perfect it's about doing it. Most NCO's I know would gladly give feedback and critiques to you. Remember one of the hardest thing I learned in a leadership position was when to follow and realizing that I didn't know anywhere as much as I thought I knew.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 8:51 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 20:51:33 -0400

As every nco on here said that your unit does not provide you a mentor. A mentor is someone who you feel has had a great impact not only on your career but your personal life as well. Find that nco who is willing to sit down with you and discuss your goals in your military career and your personal goals. I see nco's a lot in today's military that claim to be to busy for soldiers. I will never tell a soldier no if they want to talk about whatever they need help with. Soldiers are the reason why I am an NCO and love being an NCO. Don't worry you will find your mentor and you will know it. Feel free to message me anytime with any questions you have and I will help you to the best of my ability.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 15 at 2016 11:36 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Mar 2016 23:36:38 -0400

First, know doctrine. If you want to be an Infantry team leader, squad leader, platoon sear can't, ect you need to know it. And stay up to date with it.

Second, your soldiers come first. So know the regulations that govern our lives in the army so you can help them succeed. Or punish if necessary, though I hate to say that.

Third, be flexible and look for solutions outside of the box. Maybe not 100% outside of the box, you have to stay grounded. Improve your education, not military and civilian. Go to every school you can. You will have to sacrifice family time to take those opportunities if they are presented too you.

Be a bull dog for your men. Bottom line.

Response by SGT Justin Anderson made Mar 16 at 2016 12:21 AM

SGT Justin Anderson — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 00:21:50 -0400

Common sense usually helps and clearly not being like your leadership. I have found that being firm and fair helps. Sharing knowledge and doing training/classes on essential tasks. You can pretty much look around and know exactly how not to be. Message me so I know about what's going to better help you.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2016 11:01 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 11:01:41 -0400

Here is your first bit of advice. Go to Ranger School and earn your EIB. On another note, what is your rater doing? If he isn't counseling you, which is part of mentorship, they are dead wrong.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Mar 16 at 2016 12:59 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 12:59:15 -0400

By being effective and productive. Guidance. mentoring and coaching are important but not the end all. You do not need to have someone from you unit, in some ways it might be better if they are not from your unit. There is a ton of information to read, and I think the most important thing a person can do is professional reading. Make time to stay on top of your career and profession.

SPC Private RallyPoint Member as far as finding an effective mentor, who out there do you respect and to model your career after? Go to that soldier, person, leader, and just ask them for advice on your career. I have never met anyone that is worth their salt that would not help younger soldiers.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2016 1:49 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 13:49:05 -0400

You've already succeeded in the first step in being a good leader. You realized that you need help. That's the hardest part. Being man enough to admit that you have shortcomings is a huge stride in the right direction. Having said that, id love to answer any specific questions that you have, that I can.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 16 at 2016 3:35 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 16 Mar 2016 15:35:03 -0400

All of you have been marvelous up to this point. And there are a couple of you that I will be contacting, as you have extended the arm of encouragement to do so. Thank you all so much, and by all means, do not stop. there is no bad feedback on this.

Response by SGT Tami Ramos made Mar 23 at 2016 11:23 AM

SGT Tami Ramos — Wed, 23 Mar 2016 11:23:35 -0400

Have you gone to WLC yet? There must be a reason you were promoted. Common sense will take you a long way. Accountability and just knowing the right thing to do is key.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2016 5:14 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Mar 2016 17:14:18 -0400

be your own leader....take the good and bad of every senior you worked under....the only questions should come is how to handle or go about certain situations....while reading an fm may help....its also a good idea on how to handle individual or groups "be, know, do"...not every leader is good....leaders are hated as well...take the bad with every good situation and everytime a job well done happens...always give credit to the team/individual and always be appreciative of their hard work....but then again this is just a suggestion....you do what you want with everyones suggestions...everyone of it is good nevery bad

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2019 11:16 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Aug 2019 23:16:12 -0400

If you don’t know how to lead by now brother