Posted on Feb 21, 2018
If you had one piece of advice to a brand new Private, what would you say?
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Career Advice
Military Career
PV2
Leadership
Advice
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 202
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Can't do it in one... How about three?
1) Mouth shut... Eyes and ears open...
2) Immediate intelligent obedience.
3) If you understand what and how, but do not understand why, save your questions until after you have completed the task at hand.
1) Mouth shut... Eyes and ears open...
2) Immediate intelligent obedience.
3) If you understand what and how, but do not understand why, save your questions until after you have completed the task at hand.
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SCPO Burt Crapo
I disagree with point 3. If your junior does not understand the why they will not be able to give their best effort. This is a practice that has served me well in training my sailors and Marines. If there isn't time to answer tell them you will answer their questions later. At the least, the subordinate will know you are willing to listen and help them learn. There are those who won't take the hint and all you want to do is tell them to STFU but I dealt with those on a case by case method.
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Maj John Bell
SCPO Burt Crapo - Up front: I never saw combat, but my senior officers and SNCO's when I first hit the fleet were all multiple combat tour Officers and SNCO's. I did what 2ndLt's should do; I listened and learned.
You cannot have point 2, if you don't have point 3. Allow debate, discussion, of understood orders in garrison and training... then expect different in contact with the enemy?
You cannot have point 2, if you don't have point 3. Allow debate, discussion, of understood orders in garrison and training... then expect different in contact with the enemy?
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Brad Miller
SCPO Burt Crapo - I have to disagree. "save your questions" is a very important qualifier. If a troopie gets into the habit of asking "why" every order, the system will slag down as soon as any stress (accident, unexpected incident, combat) occurs.
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MSgt Jesse Tiede
Well, I think you both have valid points, but I tend to go with the "Catch me later for explanation" thing. In the face of battle (or any other Life or Death situation), you simply cannot entertain a lot of Q&A. The time to do that was well before the problem shows up. If you haven't properly trained your troops, you have failed as a leader and supervisor. 'Nuff said.
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Disclaimer: Female specific.
Do NOT try to be 'one of the guys'. You are not one of the guys. Hang out with them, be cool with them, but don't try to be one of them. Approach them as if they are your brothers and you are their sister.
Do not fall for the first one that says he 'loves' you. Unless things have changed since I was a junior enlisted female (many, many, many years ago) some-- not all, but some-- of the guys place bets on who will be the first to 'score' with the 'fresh meat'. And they do keep score. Set a time-- give it 6 months-- that you are not going to date anyone you work with and STICK WITH IT. If someone really likes you that much-- he'll wait. (Dates are okay, but nothing physical.)
If a supervisor is acting a little too friendly, that is NOT OKAY!!! What IS okay is telling said supervisor that you are not comfortable with his level of 'friendliness'. (After all, it could be misinterpreted overzealous mentoring.) If he doesn't respond appropriately-- as in, either explains that he didn't mean for you to interpret it 'that way' or stop the behavior-- bring it to the attention of another NCO. The vast majority of guys out there are your allies and will help you.
Never, never, NEVER turn your back on a drink unless you left it in the hands of someone you know and trust with your life. Don't let someone bring you an open drink unless you had eyes on it from the time it was opened/poured until it got to your hands. Always have a 'battle buddy' (male or female-- but again, someone you trust with your life) if you are going to be drinking to the point of intoxication, and DO NOT suffer in silence if you think you got drugged. Get loud, get help, and get out of the situation FAST. (Good advice for anyone-- not just women.)
None of this is meant to make the guys look bad or to make you think you are unsafe. The vast majority of guys I have worked with over the past 20 years have been fantastic and supportive. Some have not, and it only takes one to be a creep. I met my husband at work-- a LOT of military women meet their eventual significant others through the military. I'm just cautioning you to be very careful while you are very young and still a little starry-eyed and naïve.
And no-- I'm not making any judgments about you or your character. I'm giving you the advice I wish I would have been given when I was in your shoes. It would have saved me a lot of regrets.
Do NOT try to be 'one of the guys'. You are not one of the guys. Hang out with them, be cool with them, but don't try to be one of them. Approach them as if they are your brothers and you are their sister.
Do not fall for the first one that says he 'loves' you. Unless things have changed since I was a junior enlisted female (many, many, many years ago) some-- not all, but some-- of the guys place bets on who will be the first to 'score' with the 'fresh meat'. And they do keep score. Set a time-- give it 6 months-- that you are not going to date anyone you work with and STICK WITH IT. If someone really likes you that much-- he'll wait. (Dates are okay, but nothing physical.)
If a supervisor is acting a little too friendly, that is NOT OKAY!!! What IS okay is telling said supervisor that you are not comfortable with his level of 'friendliness'. (After all, it could be misinterpreted overzealous mentoring.) If he doesn't respond appropriately-- as in, either explains that he didn't mean for you to interpret it 'that way' or stop the behavior-- bring it to the attention of another NCO. The vast majority of guys out there are your allies and will help you.
Never, never, NEVER turn your back on a drink unless you left it in the hands of someone you know and trust with your life. Don't let someone bring you an open drink unless you had eyes on it from the time it was opened/poured until it got to your hands. Always have a 'battle buddy' (male or female-- but again, someone you trust with your life) if you are going to be drinking to the point of intoxication, and DO NOT suffer in silence if you think you got drugged. Get loud, get help, and get out of the situation FAST. (Good advice for anyone-- not just women.)
None of this is meant to make the guys look bad or to make you think you are unsafe. The vast majority of guys I have worked with over the past 20 years have been fantastic and supportive. Some have not, and it only takes one to be a creep. I met my husband at work-- a LOT of military women meet their eventual significant others through the military. I'm just cautioning you to be very careful while you are very young and still a little starry-eyed and naïve.
And no-- I'm not making any judgments about you or your character. I'm giving you the advice I wish I would have been given when I was in your shoes. It would have saved me a lot of regrets.
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CSM Charles Hayden
PLEASE SHARE YOUR WISE CONSUL TO THE MILITARY TIMES ORGANIZATION FOR FURTHER PROMOGULATION!
What you described would fit on the laminated ‘card’ an incoming CoC requested input for last week on RP!!!!
What you described would fit on the laminated ‘card’ an incoming CoC requested input for last week on RP!!!!
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PO1 Todd B.
Cpl Raymond Hottinger - Her advice was spot on and another thing I always told my people, use the buddy system. watch each others backs. You are a team for a reason..
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Everyone you meet will be a leadership example. Some will be a positive example (what to do) and some will be a negative example (what not to do). Learn who to emulate and who not to.
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MSG Lonnie Averkamp
Sgt Kennedy, I wrote my response, and then saw yours. We said almost, exactly, the same thing. Believe me, I was not attempting to plagiarize your well-thought narrative. I shall give you a "vote up" to show my sincerity.
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