Posted on Jul 10, 2020
SSG Squad Leader
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So I got tasked to do this training event and in said training event I will be running a “Battalion S3.” Where do I even begin to study on how to do that?
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Good morning! I am currently at a BN S3 as Training NCO, Land & Ammo, and CUOPs in Garrison. My go-to for "What is my lane/role" is FM 6-0 (https://armypubs.army.mil/ProductMaps/PubForm/Details.aspx?PUB_ID=104216) May 2014 edition. It doesn't provide step-by-step instructions as to *how* to do stuff, but it tells you *what* stuff you do. Just Ctrl+F for "S-3"

If you're acting as an overall S-3 stand-in for *Garrison*, then you can expect some of (But not limited to) the following:
-Manage schools/courses enrollment (ATTRS)
-Manage/create BN OPORDS and passing down BDE OPORD's (AR 25-50 & FM 6-0 Appendix C)
-Create and respond-to taskings to subordinate elements (Companies) IAW the afore-mentioned OPORDs
-Coordinate unit-external resources for unit training (I.E. Reserve training areas/ranges, arrange for Ammo, Coordinate with Medical units for LFX, etc) (TAMIS, RFMS)
-Manage, coordinate, and record unit training (DTMS) (This is more verification, O-Rooms/Training Rooms at company-level should be conducting training and recording it themselves)

Just a broad over-view, feel free to message me if you need more info. I hope this helped, and good luck!
SSG Squad Leader
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Thanks, dude!
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SFC Michael Hasbun
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- Microsoft Office, all Apps
- FM 6-0
- OPORDERs
- FRAGO's
-ATRRS
- TAMIS
-RFMS
- DTMS
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MSG Student
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Check out "The role of the NCO in the TOC" written by CSM Killingsworth.
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What do I study to run a S3?
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...I smell a Warfighter exercise...
SGM (R) Antonio Brown
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This will be a great learning experience for you. As a SSG and up you could find yourself working as a S3 NCOIC.
https://work.chron.com/duties-battalion-s3-28156.html

https://www.part-time-commander.com/battalion-s-3-duties-responsibilities-and-job-description/
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SSG Squad Leader
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Thank you, SGM.
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SGM (R) Antonio Brown
SGM (R) Antonio Brown
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SSG (Join to see) you are welcome. As you move on and grow in the Army, the experience you gain will pay dividends for you. Most organizations will place the most experienced NCOs in the Company OPS, BN S3, and BDE S3 NCO Positions. That experience makes them a good candidate to manage the organizations training and deployments. Although Chemical, I worked in the BN S3 shop of a MP BN. I briefed the 3ID CDR and staff on things going on in the MP BN. Prior to that job I was a Company 1SG, BN NCOIC, and Company OPS NCO. Because of those jobs I built a good relationship with various PSGs, PLs, COs, 1SGs, BN XOs, Company XOs, and Squad Leaders on Fort Stewart. So it was easy for me to get assistance with training, ammo, or land. It is never too early to build a network and all you will have to do is maintain it throughout your career.
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LTC Jason Mackay
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What is the exact task you have been as to teach? Running an S3 shop....dumb question. Have you talked to the S3?

Having been a S3 Air, S3, BN XO, and a BDE DCO, that is not a collective task with a T-C-S. It’s the subject of numerous professional articles at the NCO and Officer levels. Is this training on familiarity with staff sections and what they do? Or are you training an S3 shop on internal procedures? Confused
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LTC Hardware Test Engineer
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Your unit should have an SOP on TOC operations. That would be a good place to start. Also, if possible, you could request to talk with your OPS SGM and get some advice. Not to be too blunt, but it almost sounds like you're being set up for failure. I've never seen an E5 put in charge of BN level S3 without some prior experience. I had a similar thing happen to me many years ago when I was an Air Defense 2LT. Fresh out of OBC I got put in charge of BN S6. I didn't know a damned thing about signal/commo and they didn't have any signal NCOs. It was me and an SFC MP. Needless to say, it wasn't pretty and didn't end well. BN CO fired me because "I didn't know what I was doing". I just laughed in his face and said, "Sir, I tried to tell you that when you stuck me in the position".
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COL John McClellan
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What kind of unit, and what's the training event? Might be as simple as "battle tracking" tasks, communications and then reporting... might be a lot more!
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SSG Squad Leader
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Update. Go I linked up with the NCOIC and we’re doing a Puckster challenge and him and I are splitting the NCOIC portion of the S3 shop on 12 hour shifts. Never heard of anything like this before so I’ll keep posting updates as to what is happening, ya know, as long as it doesn’t breach OPSEC. Lol
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ADP 6-0, ADP 3-0, ATP 5-0, ATP 3-90.90.

Get them from APD. They literally cover the exact topics you’re asking about.

ADP 6-0 will assist you in serving your commander, which, is the ultimate objective of the staff.

Join nearly 2 million former and current members of the US military, just like you.

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