What are some of your expectations for new Junior Officers?

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 13:48:04 -0500

This June I am humbled for the opportunity to begin my journey as a newly commissioned Officer.

I've been fortunate enough to have a few years of prior service experience on the enlisted side and have a thorough understanding of the importance of this new role.

What are some of the aspects you, as Senior Leaders (NCO/CO), would expect from any newly commissioned Officer?

Response by CW5 John M. made Feb 11 at 2018 2:17 PM

CW5 John M. — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 14:17:58 -0500

Don't sweat the small stuff; don't let it steer you off-course from the identified objectives. NCO's are a goldmine if you can identify the best veins to "mine". Always keep it a priority to make your boss look good; it will reflect back to you. Strive to do the right thing whether anybody is watching or not - whether you ever receive recognition or not. Encourage subordinates, and acknowledge their efforts. They will work harder for you and make you look better.

Response by A1C Ian Williams made Feb 11 at 2018 3:11 PM

A1C Ian Williams — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 15:11:09 -0500

Congratulations 1LT Private RallyPoint Member. Recognise your place your in the chain of command and act with the utmost honour. Make us proud!

Response by CW3 Jeff Held made Feb 11 at 2018 3:33 PM

CW3 Jeff Held — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 15:33:10 -0500

Practicing humility is a great place to start. Be with them no matter what they are doing - get more dirty than they do. Ask them questions and be willing to have them teach you - teaching is not just your Cdr’s or PSG’s job. Be a teacher as much as a learner. Don’t be afraid to not know the answer. Own your mistakes but correct quickly.
Challenge them. Trust them. Stand by them. Be firm but fair.
Lead from the front.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2018 4:40 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 16:40:52 -0500

Stand Tall, Look Straight Ahead, and welcome to the world of Leadership, your men will depend on your directions. Salute!

Response by CA Delete D. made Feb 11 at 2018 5:26 PM

CA Delete D. — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 17:26:54 -0500

Really know how to do your job inside-out and curtail any narcissistic tendencies (bachelors degrees are a dime a dozen these days - even if you went to the academy and came from "old wealth"). Do not be afraid to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty; step up to help train or clarify confusion (some officers like to use an excessive amount of flowery jargon, but do not clearly relay what needs be done or they don't set realistic tasks/goals given current resources). Don't be a pushover or show favoritism; be genuinely fair in your deliberations.

Get to know your junior personnel....you have to trust them in order for them to trust you. Maybe hit up one of those corny family bbq's here and there.

Lastly, don't shit where you eat, as in don't fraternize (e.g. boinkin') with your subordinates or their kin, cause you'll likely get caught (worked as a brig escort years ago TEMDU - it is horrible to see a senior NCO lose anchors and his career just so he could take a junior NCO's wife for a test drive - again...after getting caught a first time....you don't want to be humiliated like that, trust me.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Feb 11 at 2018 8:52 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 20:52:39 -0500

Show up with an open mind and a good attitude. https://www.rallypoint.com/command-post/new-officers-listen-up

New Officers, Listen Up. | RallyPoint

As a newly Commissioned Officer, or as a Cadet aspiring to become an Officer, you may be asking yourself many questions as you get closer to leading your first Platoon. How will I rise to the challenge? How should I “come in”? The first thing you need to adjust is your mindset. Unless you have prior enlisted experience, you have to adjust to the fact that you will not be leading peer Cadets. Cadets are great and wonderful people. They are...

Response by MSG Charles Turner made Feb 11 at 2018 9:03 PM

MSG Charles Turner — Sun, 11 Feb 2018 21:03:04 -0500

Well as the Father of 2 Career Soldier Young Women, 1 a SSG Reservist Now and the other a Newly Commissioned (prior Enlisted) 2 LT; I expect The HIGHEST of Morals, Always Putting the Soldiers (that are their Honor to Lead) ahead of themselves and The IMPECCABLE INTEGRITY when LEADING BY EXAMPLE THE STANDARD FOR "DUTY, HONOR, & COUNTRY"!

However, I have High Standards, especially for my OWN!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2018 8:57 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 08:57:21 -0500

Being humble and asking clarifying questions to ensure understanding. Get in the regulations so you have a foundation to build upon. Most of all take initiative with your planning. Get guidance from your commander, move forward and execute. Build a good relationship with Platoon Sergeant. Be a team player with the other Comaoby Officers. Get to know your people is most important. You’ve proven you have tools to lead so now it’s all about sharpening and building on those skills. Never be afraid to ask others who have gone before you. Then make the best judgment call! Go forth and do great things!!

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2018 9:38 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 09:38:40 -0500

Don't try to re-invent the wheel on your first week, but don't take the "status quo" for granted either. Your prior-enlisted experience is invaluable, but don't forget this is a new ball-game. Continue to respect and learn from your NCOs/SNCOs, but be accountable for the platoon. Don't play favorites, but don't forget to be a human being and lead like you'd like to be led. Be an example professionally and personally. Form connections with your peers...whether former-enlisted, non-prior, OCS, ROTC or West Point, these are the folks you'll "come up" with. Use your prior experience to strengthen the weaker links in that chain to improve the whole of the officer corps. Be patient, consistent, and honest.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2018 10:48 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 10:48:14 -0500

I actually have a question. I will be crossing over from SSG to Cadet come August. Still waiting for my final YES from DODMERB, however, what is the hardest thing as a former NCO to adjust to as a new LT?

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2018 10:54 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 10:54:06 -0500

remember where you started don't let the promotion get to your head....remember respect is earned not given. treat your soldier right...karma is like a boomerang what you throw it comes back to you 3x times worse...

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Feb 12 at 2018 11:02 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 11:02:07 -0500

1LT Private RallyPoint Member Openness, Willingness to Learn and Have a Great Sense of Humor. "If it isn't Fun, I'm Not Playing" the Young Officers that I thought the Most of were Fun Guys. I can and do Forgive quite a Lot if You My Make My Job Fun.

Response by PO2 Bronwen Taylor Shaffner made Feb 12 at 2018 1:31 PM

PO2 Bronwen Taylor Shaffner — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 13:31:54 -0500

Listen and learn. Ask questions. Don’t be afraid to talk with junior guys so that you actually know what it is they do. You’re handing down orders to them, it’s important to know what they are responsiblefor, their work load, and what they are capable of. It’s important to know if they have the tools they need to complete the job they are instructed to do. Make your division great. Know what’s happening. Talk with your men. Leave it better than how you found it.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Feb 12 at 2018 2:03 PM

Capt Tom Brown — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 14:03:26 -0500

Best wishes in your new and continuing career.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 12 at 2018 3:13 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 15:13:43 -0500

1LT Private RallyPoint Member as horrible as it may sound: nothing. Go to BOLC and learn your craft and then I expect you to know the basics of your craft. Come to the unit and be open to learn and do a LOT of OJT (on the job training) and that is where you hone your craft and learn the difference between schoolhouse and the real implementation of the craft. Be a people person who can work with anyone and everyone. Most importantly come willing to learn from everyone you meet regardless of their rank as we can all learn something from everyone, even if it is what not to do.

Response by Maj John Bell made Feb 12 at 2018 8:24 PM

Maj John Bell — Mon, 12 Feb 2018 20:24:21 -0500

Mission first, Troop welfare second, there is no third.

Response by CPT Mark Pike made Feb 27 at 2018 5:57 PM

CPT Mark Pike — Tue, 27 Feb 2018 17:57:19 -0500

As I was told, grab ahold of your Platoon Sergeant's belt loop and hold on. They know the interworking's of the platoon members, and how to get them to get the things done that you will have to have them do.

Response by MAJ Samuel Weber made May 13 at 2018 8:39 AM

MAJ Samuel Weber — Sun, 13 May 2018 08:39:31 -0400

So as a junior enlisted Soldier, you were expected to take care of yourself and your battles. But only a few eyes were on you. As an officer, as an LT all eyes will be on you at all times. Remember that you must set the example in both your professional and personal life. Don’t tell your Soldiers that they won’t eat until the work is done and then head off to eat yourself. You must hold yourself to the highest standards or conduct and remember that your word must be trusted. Accept responsibility when you have made an honest mistake. Learn each and everyday and earn the trust of your Soldiers. Good luck young man.

Response by 1SG Timothy Trewin made May 13 at 2018 12:42 PM

1SG Timothy Trewin — Sun, 13 May 2018 12:42:23 -0400

Be humble, ask questions, learn and don’t be afraid to lead or make the hard decision. Your PSG is there to guide, assist, and advise you. Remember however that everything that your platoon does or fails to do directly falls on you. Embrace and understand that without letting it go to your head either. Enjoy your time and troops as you will have very few opportunities to directly lead formations of troops. Make sure you research and know the regulations.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Aug 14 at 2018 11:11 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Tue, 14 Aug 2018 23:11:22 -0400

You’ve received enough advice from all the others, 1LT Private RallyPoint Member. Glean what you can from what you’ve read and heed what you think is important.
My congratulations to you and good luck in your career!

Response by CPL Sarah Verity made Dec 16 at 2018 8:33 PM

CPL Sarah Verity — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 20:33:05 -0500

As a former army private, just know that there is an army private in every section of the army. We talk to each other. If an officer screws up, it's spreads at the chow hall, all the junior enlisted will know. Chances are you will make mistakes. But if this happens to you, just know its IS OK and it's normal. I had a job in battalion and buddies with another private in brigade who was friends with a private at division. Word gets around. It's called "the private network". Don't be embarrassed, it just comes with the job. So, if you break your leg after trying to make your own bicycle by welding scrap metal in Iraq cause you don't want to walk to the chow tent like everyone else or survive a helicopter crash and get transfer to a psych ward, everyone will know. But life moves on and people will forget. Unless you were the LT who broke his leg lol

Response by CPL Sarah Verity made Dec 16 at 2018 8:51 PM

CPL Sarah Verity — Sun, 16 Dec 2018 20:51:44 -0500

Oh and another thing, there were two Fresh LTs out of ROTC and send to my camp in Iraq. I was in the chow lines and something convinced the two of them that they were entitled to skip me in line at chow. I saw there rank and said " sorry sir, it doesn't work like that here". They started giggling and said it was an 'order' and when I still refused one of them shoved me. I was an E3 so basically, my entire chain of command who saw it happen while they were at the table got up and asked the three of us to step outside. It was spring so it rained and left think mud outside. My officers (2 O-4s and an O-5) gave the two men an option: be ordered into the mud and do hazing or face court martial for battery on an junior enlisted soldier. They chose the hazing and my commanders told them that I was to decide when they stopped. My command went back in to finish eating. Learn from this: every army private has a LTC that won't hesitate to defend their soldier.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 17 at 2019 7:12 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 19:12:03 -0500

Lots of great I formation in the comments, so I won’t repeat them. But here is one task that was given to me the day I counseled (initial) my first Platoon Sergeant. He told me to memorize the oath of enlistment. He said “only an officer can administer this oath, and when you earn your Soldiers respect, they will ask you to re-enlist them. No officer of mine will read it.” Great advice.

Response by SMSgt Lawrence McCarter made Jan 18 at 2019 12:51 AM

SMSgt Lawrence McCarter — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 00:51:29 -0500

Although advancing in Your career as an Officer is of course what You want to do and is proper don't forget where You came from. Never forget those troops, not only will that earn their respect but they will often then not just do what has to be done but even more because they want to. You can motivate Your people much more easily if You also show You support them which will also result in their support for You. What You learned as prior enlisted don't ever forget that and grown from there . I have worked for some excellent Officers that were prior enlisted and most never lost their respect for the enlisted side and as commissioned officers became great leaders. One unit I was assigned all of our Officers were prior enlisted ranging from SSgt to one that was even a MSgt. I know all of them made it at least as far as Captain (I lost track of them after that) two though I was able to follow the careers of to serve with made it all the way to Full Colonel, 06 before they retired. Another, not in our unit though that was a former TSgt also as an Officer advanced to Full Colonel and although We wen't related We shared the Same last Name, McCarter. When i first met Him, a Benjamin McCarter, at Hanscom AFB, MA He was a Major but had been already selected for promotion to Lt. Col.and hadn't put the rank on yet.

Response by SGT Donald Croswhite made Jan 18 at 2019 1:59 AM

SGT Donald Croswhite — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 01:59:18 -0500

I was in the office once and heard the Commander say, "the best thing for a new lieutenant is to give him more work than he can handle and see how he cracks." Butter bars are the privates of the commisioned world. I'm not saying this to be funny. I've seen so many first lieutenants do two things, they either fold or focus. My advice, be prepared to work your ass off, double check your work, just to be given more work. And don't forget to pull from the knowledge of your NCO counterpart. When they know you're there to learn and be a good leader, and not just to pull rank, the better you'll do. The better you do the faster you'll promote. Before you know it you'll have the office with too many plaques. Good luck sir.

Response by LTC Charles T Dalbec made Jan 20 at 2019 9:47 AM

LTC Charles T Dalbec — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 09:47:36 -0500

Always remember that you can learn much from your NCOs and Greg can help you throughout your career. As a former E7/SFC then Mustang Officer I Always had the friendship with ALL which allowed both my NCOs and myself to excel. Hooah!!

Response by SGM Jeffrey Hall made Jan 20 at 2019 5:59 PM

SGM Jeffrey Hall — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 17:59:30 -0500

I expected my junior officers to learn. A few years of enlisted service are valuable, but are very little in comparison to a platoon sergeant with 15 years in.

A thing to keep in mind is the division of what is NCO business, and what is officer business. That is important to remember if you want the full support of the NCOs in your platoon.

I had a thought throughout my Army career. Mustang's are either the very best officers or the very worst.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Apr 21 at 2020 6:49 PM

MAJ Byron Oyler — Tue, 21 Apr 2020 18:49:30 -0400

Know the job the Army hired you to do and focus on that.