What should I read before my 1st Joint staff duty?

CDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 18:39:13 -0500

Just formally got my mob orders for CJTF-HOA. I did JPME I almost 10 years ago so I don't remember much. Never served in a joint billet (submarines only). Any suggestions on what to read before going over to minimize my time getting up to speed? (Is ATTP 5-0.1 worth it?)

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Feb 4 at 2016 7:29 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 19:29:12 -0500

It's been a while but bone up on money. Different funding sources, UN, "Other Peoples Money", etc. will help you categorize what's for what. Also read up on all the AOR SOFA agreements and more importantly what they don't cover. Get to know the MLOs at the various embassies we have over there. They are big into coordination of services. Look to see what USAID is up to as well. Everything over there floats on a sea of money. The better you are navigating that stuff, the more valuable you are.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 4 at 2016 8:13 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 20:13:12 -0500

Read the COIN manual.

Response by SSgt Robert Jorgensen made Feb 4 at 2016 11:53 PM

SSgt Robert Jorgensen — Thu, 04 Feb 2016 23:53:12 -0500

Based on what I have read in your question and commentary, I would highly recommend with all do respect sir, an English grammar and proof reading book!

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2016 10:12 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 10:12:49 -0500

Reach out to who you are replacing and see what they have on their plate. Then go from there.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 5 at 2016 1:16 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 13:16:44 -0500

If you want me to talk about Insurgency and paradigms for a healthy society, I don't mind as I would rather have someone interested than apathetic.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Feb 5 at 2016 1:36 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 13:36:20 -0500

Learn as much as possible about other service cultures; especially those of the people above you in the chain... that can mean the difference between success and just ok...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2016 8:11 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 20:11:10 -0500

I recommend getting on JKO courses and diving in, sir. Better to get the Cliff's Notes version before buying the whole book.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2016 9:19 PM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 21:19:10 -0500

Understand the difference in service cultures. From an Army perspective, don't chew anyone out for calling Army warrants "Chief". Learn the other services' ranks so you know who you're talking to.

Response by SSgt Robert Jorgensen made Feb 5 at 2016 9:55 PM

SSgt Robert Jorgensen — Fri, 05 Feb 2016 21:55:08 -0500

With all due respect, it's amusing that the posts are all officers of one kind or another and I am an enlisted guy and the only one to point out your problem that can make you look stupid when you write something. I apologize for my auto-correct making my post do instead of due. But it is funny no other officer has the guts to point out the problem or mention that if you really want the job, quit asking for the easy way out of reading.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2016 7:05 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 07 Feb 2016 07:05:50 -0500

I've been out way too long to know what the latest pubs are in regards to joint ops. But I would just like to say that I am pleased to discover that they have formed a CJTF to take on the Home Owners Associations. They have been running wild terrorizing Americans and trampling our constitutional rights for far too long. I hope you round up all the board members and lock them up in a closed Walmart in Texas.

Response by Christopher Milowski made Feb 11 at 2016 1:04 PM

Christopher Milowski — Thu, 11 Feb 2016 13:04:38 -0500

Two items that every enlisted or officer should read are the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and The Law of Nations, especially when one wants to know the right thing because it is the right thing to do. I believe reading those two items will have a great impact on any future decisions you may make. Good luck in your new billet.

Response by SFC John Hill made May 14 at 2016 10:30 AM

SFC John Hill — Sat, 14 May 2016 10:30:35 -0400

You may find these helpful. For a list of professional readings recommended by the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, see Joint Pub 1, Joint Warfare of the U.S. Armed Forces. http://dtic.mil/doctrine/new_pubs/jp1.pdf or Joint Officer Handbook (JOH) Staffing and Action Guide http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/dod/joh_aug2011.pdf