Should I be so quick to try and be a leader, as I am just a PV2?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 19:58:48 -0400

I love leading and I know some pvts are usually quick to avoid it but I try to be a leader every chance I get . I think its a good quality but then again I don't know. I went on a mission with my unit to ft Lewis last year and I was the only private there , there were a couple specialists but it was mainly officers ranging from 0-2 - 0-4 and a csm they asked for a volunteer squad leader and I volunteerd to do it I had a dozen officers and a CSM to keep a track of . That looks good to the higher ranking people right in terms of leadership?

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Jun 2 at 2015 8:00 PM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 20:00:22 -0400

No, take your time and learn somethings first! Like how to be a good leader

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 8:08 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 20:08:37 -0400

In order to be a good leader, one must learn to be a good follower.

Learn as much as you can, technically or tactically, from your first line supervisors and the NCOs above you.

As a PV2, 80% of your job is showing up on time, with the right gear, with a good attitude. Your Sergeant will get you the rest of the way.

If you want to start showing that you have leadership potential, start hitting the books (FM's, ARs, TCs, and promotion board study guides) with your buddies during down time, during duty hours. Or ask if you can compete for Soldier of the Month for your Battalion...just to point out a couple things you can do to stand out.

Whatever you do, remember that you are not in charge of anything until you receive orders from above you stating otherwise. All you'll get from your palls is scorn if you try to be the "Command Private Major".

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jun 2 at 2015 8:14 PM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 20:14:28 -0400

Private, nature abhors a vacuum. If your NCOs are worth a tea-toateling damn they will encourage you to develop into a leader. I say Drive-on and Sua Sponte!
By the way...Remember, a Paratrooper is normally always a leader no matter the unit. I am not saying that you should go to Jump School, but YOU SHOULD GO TO JUMP SCHOOL because as much grief as I will get over this, AIRBORNE Units are 100% Volunteer, so that means they are really easy to get out of, or be put out of. But if you want to learn to be a leader, pick an AIRBORNE or Long Range Surveillance Unit. You will never look back

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 2 at 2015 8:18 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 20:18:12 -0400

You need time in your MOS first. Good things will come to good soldiers at a later time.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jun 2 at 2015 8:19 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 20:19:40 -0400

When you see a lack of purpose, motivation, and direction that is when you step in. For example, if your team leader left for an hour and he left you and a SPC with a task and the SPC wanted to use that time to BS, that is when you step and say, "I think we should get the job done and then you can relax".

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 8:38 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 20:38:40 -0400

Learn the fundamentals of leadership first.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 8:44 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 20:44:02 -0400

In order to be a good leader, one also has to be a good follower. There is nothing wrong with your incentive, but learn a bit first.

Volunteer, find a great mentor, observe, ask questions, understand the answers, ask more questions. :)

"That looks good to the higher ranking people right in terms of leadership?"
--Do not worry about *looks*... Worry about intent. Are you doing it because it looks good to the higher-ups? Or because you genuinely feel fulfilled by it?

Also, just a little Admin sidenote, learn the proper capitalization of rank.
-csm is CSM
-pvt is PVT
-ft is Ft
**Attention to detail and getting into good habits with grammar may very well save yourself a harsh mentoring moment when you send an email to "csm jones" as is.

Response by PFC Tuan Trang made Jun 2 at 2015 9:03 PM

PFC Tuan Trang — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 21:03:00 -0400

everything take times, that what make you a prefect leader, no offense but if we all rush to try becoming a leader it hard to get up if we mess up. So now learn what you can and eventually you'll achieve that goal.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 10:08 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 22:08:40 -0400

When in the absence of orders, take charge if no one else is willing to step up to the plate.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 2 at 2015 10:16 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 22:16:14 -0400

Absolutely! Great initiative. Your desire to lead will help you stand out once it's time for your NCOs to make that recommendation for your promotion to sergeant. Keep it up!

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Jun 2 at 2015 10:25 PM

SGT Ben Keen — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 22:25:57 -0400

Being a leader doesn't mean you are always up front. Sure we always hear the phrase "Lead from the front" and 99.999% of the time this is true. However, as mentioned below sometimes you need to stop and LEARN a few things first. Just because someone is in a leadership position doesn't always mean they are a leader. This is sometimes called "Leadership by Default". It's great to step up and take charge when needed but there may be a time when you just need to sit back and let another lead.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that you must find a balance. As a Private you still have a lot to learn on how to be an effective leader. This never stops so it's great to see you starting so earlier but you must find a balance. Find a strong senior leader and ask him/her to act as a mentor. This will pay off in the long run. Take assessment of all the leaders through your time in the military; take the good and the bad examples and start to develop your leadership style from their example. And remember sometimes the loudest voice in the room is the one not heard.

Response by TSgt David Holman made Jun 2 at 2015 11:35 PM

TSgt David Holman — Tue, 02 Jun 2015 23:35:07 -0400

Leadership comes from all levels, and the best way to lead is by example. It is never to early to lead, but with that being said, be sure to spend as much time listening and learning. It is impossible to be an effective leader without knowing how to do your job.

Response by SPC Larry Boutwell made Jun 3 at 2015 12:32 AM

SPC Larry Boutwell — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 00:32:23 -0400

Here some advice my sgt told me......always train one up .....if your pvt... Study up for what a pv2 needs to know spc to sgt and so on

Response by SGT Kevin Brown made Jun 3 at 2015 12:32 AM

SGT Kevin Brown — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 00:32:34 -0400

Being a leader and being in command are two different things. Your rank defines your level of command, but every soldier is (or at least should be) a leader. Since the day you where born you identified traits in others that you found honorable in a good leader. Continuing to do so and adhering to those traits is what makes a leader, not the rank on their chest. With that said, even a General follows someone and one of the greatest traits of being a good leader is being a good follower. It may be a while before you command your own men, but you have been a leader in the armed forces since the day you took the Oath.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 2:29 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 02:29:53 -0400

The fact that you say you love to lead and proclaiming yourself a future soldier-leader shows you have initiative and a positive outlook which are big pluses in your Army career. 2 Things I see: 1. Be a good follower-do your job well be a squared away soldier. Always show a positive attitude even when things get rough--which of, course, happens a lot in the military; show you are proud to be a soldier. Get all the military education (formal schooling and on-the-job mentoring you can get. Work on civilian education; work toward a college degree. Also seek mentoring from your superiors and your more experienced peers. 2. Help/mentor your fellow soldiers out-there will always be a few who are struggling ie common task soldier skills or MOS knowledge, uniform. (which means studying and gaining knowledge yourself; in fact by teaching/helping peers, you actually reinforce your own learning!) One caution: Just be careful not to project an image of a "know it all' or an attitude of "I'm better than you are. Sometime even people who don't feel that way can inadvertently project it if they become over-zealous. can get a little carried away. But be positive, supportive and helpful to your peers. Show you are a member of the team that can be counted on--We're in this together! I agree with MSG Folsom, you don't have to be in a formal leadership position to be a leader. Consider future opportunities as a commissioned or warrant officer (however, many outstanding soldiers choose to remain NCO's because they enjoy that type of work better; I also respect that.) Good luck in your Army career!

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 6:09 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 06:09:54 -0400

It appears several officers may owe you a debt of gratitude for assisting in there well being. Step forward often. Take the Army by the horns and lead it often. It is a raging bull and requires sound reasonable leadership. Attend the Soldier of The Month (SOM) board every month. Win as often as you can. Win the Soldier of the Quarter (SOQ) board also. Those boards will prepare you for the NCO promotion board. While attending the SOM and SOQ boards, your senior leaders will recognize your desire to lead. Focus on maximizing your scores in weapons qualification and physical fitness. Enroll in Army correspondence courses and complete them rapidly. Enroll in the local community college and fight to complete at-least an Associates degree within the next two years. Attend the Army Airborne school at first opportunity. Seek your first line supervisor for mentoring and counseling. Study often. Upon reaching the rank of E-4, seek your first line supervisor for requirements to attend the "Warrior Leader Course." Attend the promotion board for E-5. After completion of the Warrior Leader Course, again seek your first line supervisor reference attending the "Advanced Leaders Course." The Army will recognize your leadership skills gained through education and training and will promote you readily. Adhere to Army regulations, obey the orders of your senior leaders, and return often to those who enhanced your career to thank them often and request mentoring. Maintain evidence of your achievements in your Army records. Remain faithful to Army, the NCO corps, and the nation. Upon completion of this mission, selfless service until the end of your career and then some. God Speed.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Jun 3 at 2015 11:39 AM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 11:39:14 -0400

Everything you do prepares you to be a leader. You learn from both the good and bad things that you do and observe.

By the mere fact that you decided to join the military, you are already more of a leader than the vast majority of your peers who did not make that decision.

Take every opportunity you can to be a leader. You will gain valuable experience and it will be noted by your chain of command and others.

I also fully endorse a comment made by SFC Private RallyPoint Member in his response to your question... "In order to be a good leader, one must learn to be a good follower." That is a very true statement.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 3 at 2015 11:43 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 Jun 2015 11:43:48 -0400

Much like with life, don't be in such a rush to "grow up."

Be a good Soldier, and enjoy being a Soldier.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Oct 16 at 2015 5:17 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 16 Oct 2015 17:17:07 -0400

Some folks are leaders because they are technically superb.