Platoons Beware! Another Fresh 2LT... (Introduction)

[WhiskeyRiver]

Hello!

I'm a newly-commissioned Infantry 2LT. I graduated as an Electrical Engineer, and I'm now awaiting my IOBC class. After IOBC, which ends early February, I am 'tentatively assigned to Fort Campbell.' As your FAQ has stated, I do not have any accomplishments or experience to speak of here, and shall do my best to keep that in mind.

My short-term goals are to excel at IOBC and be the best PL that I can be, which is what brought me here. I look forward to gleaning as much knowledge as I can from you. Near future goals include Ranger School, AASLT School, and getting a tour in Germany. I'm a little odd in that I don't have any serious desire to go 82nd, 101st, or 75th - every unit needs good people, so if I can be one of those people, I'm happy. Again, my goal is to be the best officer that I can be, regardless of where I'm at. Despite that, I'm looking forward to serving with the 101st after IOBC, and can't wait get to Campbell.

Thanks for having me here, I hope to learn as much as I can!

Signed,
Craig

[Earthpig]

Welcome to the site, Sir.

RLTW
EP

[al_2ndWolfhounds]

Welcome and thank you for your future service.

[Jim]

Well, Craig, that is certainly a refreshingly unique introduction. Being a platoon leader is the best job in the world. I was fortunate enough to have had a rifle, anti-tank, and support platoon. Great jobs. If you are doing it well, you are preparing yourself for ever more responsible assignments. You are certainly welcome here.

[Buzz]

Welcome Sir.

[Ranger Bill]

Welcome. You have world of opportunity ahead of you. Ranger Jim is right, the best job an officer can ever have is being a platoon leader. But for many, it turns out to be their worst job. Don't be one of them!

[Ranger Ron]

Welcome to ArmyRanger.com, Sir. Best of luck where ever your career takes you.

[IEDmagnet]

Welcome Sir...listen to those wise Men above me.


But remember your NCO's are your immediate support, listen to them, use them, rely on them. They can make or break you. (Of course i'm biased as a retired NCO).

[al_2ndWolfhounds]

Welcome. You have world of opportunity ahead of you. Ranger Jim is right, the best job an officer can ever have is being a platoon leader. But for many, it turns out to be their worst job. Don't be one of them!

I couldn't agree more, my time as a rifle platoon leader was probably one of the most rewarding and gratifying experiences of my life. I also observed what can happen when a platoon leader doesn't do it right.

Make sure that every bit of training you receive improves your leadership skills. Also, a good set of NCO's can make or break you; like you should be, they are looking out for those that they are responsible for and accomplishing those tasks assigned to them. If you observe them and their interactions with those under them you will have good opportunities to learn and improve your own abilities.

[panthersix]

Welcome! I never got to be a PL, every Guard or USAR unit I was assigned to as an officer, I was put in the Bn S3 shop....:( Damn Ranger tab!

[K.Ingraham]

It's good that you have taken an honest measure of yourself. That's refreshing.

You will have the opportunity to really learn good leadership where you are going. Elites like the 75th or the Marines have some poor leaders on board because they have excellent NCOs and troops who know what they are doing and will carry on and accomplish the commanders intent, even with a lunkhead in charge (Maj McMillan & 'Action Jackson' come to mind).

Where you are going you'll have troops more interested in the weekend, who will leave mission essential gear behind in favor of comfort items, who will abandon their post to go to chow even if you have that covered, who do not care about the professional consequences of saying "fuck you Loo, I'm staying right here". You get that typical leg crowd to consistently conform to your will without always having to fall back on article 15s and the UCMJ and you will have become a leader.

The above advice about your NCOs is good so far as it goes. By all means listen to them and ask for advice - something you can do here too by the way - just never forget that the buck stops with you, bottom line, YOU are the commander and the responsibility ultimately is yours. The classic sarcastic line spouted by every RI that ever lived and parroted by platoon sergeants stateside since time immemorial "whatcha gonna do now Sir?" shifts emphasis when the chips are down. Remember that scene on the beach in 'Pvt Ryan' where the leg private is shouting at the Hanks 'Cpt Miller' character "What are we gonna do now Sir?!". There it is, bottom line. You will do well if your sergeants are doing their job, which includes educating you, and if you pump them for what they have learned, but bottom line again is that us enlisted swine are looking to you for leadership: for better or worse, provide it.

Welcome aboard. There are a lot of experienced NCOs and officer leadership here, right up to some very senior levels. If you have problems or need some mentoring outside of your unit, you can post here and ask for offline responses. You might get some help.
We will, of course, make fun of you just because this is the WWW and we can.