Would you accept a 2LT in Command if they were the most suitable person to apply (with obvious experience shortfalls)?

2017-06-05T16:18:12-04:00

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2017 4:22 PM

2017-06-05T16:22:47-04:00

To be honest, if a 2LT was put in command of my unit, then I would have NO CHOICE but to accept it.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jun 5 at 2017 4:26 PM

2017-06-05T16:26:23-04:00

Since when is it a choice?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2017 4:49 PM

2017-06-05T16:49:41-04:00

Sir, there are too many variables in that question. Has the 2LT finished his KD time as a PL? What level of command is it i.e. line company, rear detachment, HHD? There are no CPT or 1LT with CCC completed available within in the BN who need to move onto the CDR KD position? Is it for an AC RC or ARNG unit, as they each have different options to move officers around to fill key positions.

By regulation, yes as long as the BN/BDE commander sign off and an assumption of command is granted your authority to command that unit as a competent officer would be legal. It is just hard to see the scenario where the 2LT would be the most suitable. That isn't meant in any way to be disrespectful, just that there are more 1LT's out there than there are command billets to fill and it would be more in line with their career to move one in than appoint a below grade officer.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Jun 5 at 2017 4:50 PM

2017-06-05T16:50:38-04:00

Just checked your profile. The answer as noted by others, yes. But if you are interested in success, you had best listen to your senior enlisted.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jun 5 at 2017 5:02 PM

2017-06-05T17:02:05-04:00

I had a SMSGT as my NCOIC in my unit when I was a 2LT that resented working for any officer lower than a Major. He was always laying traps for me. It backfired on him when I got my orders for Viet Nam and my unit was taken over by a Maj. in another unit. The last I heard was that the SMSGT pulled strings to get reassigned to another base before the Maj. could write an APR on him.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Jun 5 at 2017 5:12 PM

2017-06-05T17:12:08-04:00

If you were the highest ranking, regularly assigned person in the unit that is eligible to command, then 600-20 demands it. No acceptance required nor requested

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2017 5:32 PM

2017-06-05T17:32:53-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member Absolutely. Listen to your NCO's and SNCO's and you will be fine.

Response by MAJ Charles Ray made Jun 5 at 2017 9:32 PM

2017-06-05T21:32:05-04:00

It would depend upon the level of command and the specific requirements of the job. In a combat situation, if a 2LT was the highest ranking surviving combat arms officer, he would be in command by default.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2017 11:21 PM

2017-06-05T23:21:22-04:00

Is there a choice? In the army you get a 2LT as your PL and he is in command. What he does is another topic.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2017 2:44 AM

2017-06-06T02:44:27-04:00

I find the premise of your question a bit strange. I'm not sure what you mean by "applying" for command. Commanders are placed in their position by senior leadership. However, at the end of the day if you're the senior person left you take charge. That is why we have succession of command in paragraph 5. Chances are if that many people are wounded or dead the remaining few Privates will probably be happy to have a 2LT in charge.

If you're asking about being selected for command over a 1LT or CPT, I would think the circumstances of such a move would have to be extreme. You had better be the second coming of Patton. Company command is challenging, even for Officers much further in their career. I was an acting Company Commander for 2 months as a 2LT fresh from BOLC. My Company Commander was at MCCC and I was the only other officer in the unit. Even with 3 years TIS prior to commissioning it was far more responsibility than what I was prepared for. I did my best, but I readily admit my 1SG and MG guided me through.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 6 at 2017 10:34 AM

2017-06-06T10:34:16-04:00

I'm assuming this is a reserve component question as the AD would just rotate or PCS individuals to get a qualified captain as the commander. In the RC you don't have that luxury and there are units that have gone for years without a single officer. The two separate times I've seen a 2LT in command it ended very poorly for that officer. command is a hard line to walk where you need to follow the advice of your NCO's but still execute your own judgement. You will have better opportunities to learn as a platoon leader with the troops then as a CO, in both situations the 2LT commander had a very difficult time directing the company towards BN driven goals while still following your NCO's. Many of those NCO will not respect you and expect you to follow everything they say simply because of your rank, your great NCO's will treat you just fine. In both cases the poor NCO's pushed the LT to do something that backfired on the company, burned the 2LTs and created a toxic climate due to the officer's inability to trust and confide in their NCO's. Without the PL time it would be very difficult for a non-experienced officer to effectively command. Spend a few good years working with good NCO's before you take command!

Response by CPT Tamara Brewer made Jul 13 at 2017 3:02 AM

2017-07-13T03:02:20-04:00

As a CPT(R) who served as a 2LT HHC CO in Iraq, I will have to say that even as a prior enlisted NCO for 5 1/2 years and then moving to the officer ranks, I would advise NOT to put a 2LT in that position. It is not a fact of competence in all cases, but it is a matter of respect and rank that plays a big part in command. The BN officers and fellow company commanders could not get past the rank as well as the SR NCOES.
I was such a newby officer, that I served in command for 30 months and left as a 1LT because I had not yet earned time and grade enough to become a CPT. By the time that Soldiers and fellow officers have stopped "trying me" and realized that you had sought out guidance and knew what I was doing, it is too late. So what if I had perfect PCC/PCIs, perfect inventory, great safety record, great retention, blahblahblah....I was exhausted and ready to resign my commission from dealing with officers and soldiers dismissing me for my rank. BTW, I did not resign my commission, but I ended up leaving company command and going to a transportation PLT and getting some PL time in. It was such a great experience. I wish I could have started there.
Command is strenuous enough without adding the excess stress of rank and "new rank structure" to the mix. Send your 2LT to their PLT and let them learn and enjoy trying out their leadership legs. DO NOT SCREW THEM OVER and put them in a command slot just because you think they are charismatic or have a 180 IQ and can walk on water. Even the best of leaders need to start at the basics. It is how you get to know your Soldiers and how you get to know yourself.