Unfortunately, yes. She had her message with her presentation that she was set on delivering. She even scolded me for my pre-workout and creatine use. 🙄
Great read and similar experiences. When I was an RA in college, I told my hall that if they were drunk and needed help to come to me. I wouldn't get them in trouble. Because when I was a freshman, my RA was zero tolerance for underage drinking and so, my roommate almost died, growing in his own puke, because his friends just dumped him in our room to not get caught. My hall had zero alcohol issues.
Well done! That “zero six” call sign, particularly on that company level, will be a part of you always. What an incredible honor to lead infantrymen into combat.
Sincerity, understanding, and a willingness to embrace the issue go a long way to maximizing soldier's/Marine's success. A little bit of theatrical flair helps quite a bit. I love the vignettes and the way you addressed them, especially the effort to patiently balance the command's 'roid concern with the perspective of the guys holding the line. It brings up a painful memory. One of the things I missed was a growing drug issue among some of my co-combat vets (we deployed together as a Company). Creative, high initiative guys with a sense of combat success under their belts. I had leaned into post deployment issues when we got back from OIF, but as I entered the later part of 24 months in command, I did not address the subtle loose ends that crop up. I prided myself on using prior experience to stay a step or two ahead of the rank and file (for their welfare and success). Not to mention, it gave me a venue in which to work with and engage my Officers and S/NCOs for their success and development. I missed it. Lost several Marines to various bits of drug business and usage...3 of them the day I turned over command. In hindsight, a simple visit by a Jacksonville Narcotics cop and a brig rep, coupled with some creative 'insider' stories, might have been enough for a few of them to have pushed back from their forays into drug involvement on active duty. Just something more creative to not only check the block, but sow the seeds for them to look after each other. I probably assumed too much; I was on my third set of S/NCOs and Officers, and tried to balance 'giving them rope' against 'appropriate guidance/micro leadership'. I figured the message was still getting out. I still talked with the boys, but in hindsight, probably was not talking 'with' them enough. We were busy and morale was good...high spirits. Any discipline issues were mostly risk adverse judgment issues. My 6's bag of magic tricks seemed to be working very well, and yet I still lost these guys. And then there is Z. One of my junior co-combat vets. After the first pop, I felt lenient...but then I was burned off after the third pop and didn't handle it well. I could have been much more patient with him while still holding him accountable.
One note about your vignettes; it's so good. The smarter soldier's and Marine's usually are wise to the game a good leader plays, but they like and appreciate that you are willing to play the game anyway. It still has an impact. It makes the days better. Some of the best compliments I ever got were when I inadvertently overheard a conversation to the effect of "You think the CO doesn't know? He said that because he doesn't want you to f' yourself up.'". I am sure you had similar experience.
So, that's a long way of saying good post. Worthy of a BOC, TBS, A/BNOC, or S/NCO School leadership discussion.
Excellent.
I was getting antsy when I saw IG, glad I finished.
Was your PA that unwilling to listen?
Experiences can vary, but of the PAs and DOCs I have served would had been open to working with that FSO and give a combined brief.
Unfortunately, yes. She had her message with her presentation that she was set on delivering. She even scolded me for my pre-workout and creatine use. 🙄
Great read and similar experiences. When I was an RA in college, I told my hall that if they were drunk and needed help to come to me. I wouldn't get them in trouble. Because when I was a freshman, my RA was zero tolerance for underage drinking and so, my roommate almost died, growing in his own puke, because his friends just dumped him in our room to not get caught. My hall had zero alcohol issues.
You can get away with bullshitting your boss but you can never bullshit your soldiers.
Well done! That “zero six” call sign, particularly on that company level, will be a part of you always. What an incredible honor to lead infantrymen into combat.
It was the highlight of my military career and one of the greatest experiences of my life!
Sincerity, understanding, and a willingness to embrace the issue go a long way to maximizing soldier's/Marine's success. A little bit of theatrical flair helps quite a bit. I love the vignettes and the way you addressed them, especially the effort to patiently balance the command's 'roid concern with the perspective of the guys holding the line. It brings up a painful memory. One of the things I missed was a growing drug issue among some of my co-combat vets (we deployed together as a Company). Creative, high initiative guys with a sense of combat success under their belts. I had leaned into post deployment issues when we got back from OIF, but as I entered the later part of 24 months in command, I did not address the subtle loose ends that crop up. I prided myself on using prior experience to stay a step or two ahead of the rank and file (for their welfare and success). Not to mention, it gave me a venue in which to work with and engage my Officers and S/NCOs for their success and development. I missed it. Lost several Marines to various bits of drug business and usage...3 of them the day I turned over command. In hindsight, a simple visit by a Jacksonville Narcotics cop and a brig rep, coupled with some creative 'insider' stories, might have been enough for a few of them to have pushed back from their forays into drug involvement on active duty. Just something more creative to not only check the block, but sow the seeds for them to look after each other. I probably assumed too much; I was on my third set of S/NCOs and Officers, and tried to balance 'giving them rope' against 'appropriate guidance/micro leadership'. I figured the message was still getting out. I still talked with the boys, but in hindsight, probably was not talking 'with' them enough. We were busy and morale was good...high spirits. Any discipline issues were mostly risk adverse judgment issues. My 6's bag of magic tricks seemed to be working very well, and yet I still lost these guys. And then there is Z. One of my junior co-combat vets. After the first pop, I felt lenient...but then I was burned off after the third pop and didn't handle it well. I could have been much more patient with him while still holding him accountable.
One note about your vignettes; it's so good. The smarter soldier's and Marine's usually are wise to the game a good leader plays, but they like and appreciate that you are willing to play the game anyway. It still has an impact. It makes the days better. Some of the best compliments I ever got were when I inadvertently overheard a conversation to the effect of "You think the CO doesn't know? He said that because he doesn't want you to f' yourself up.'". I am sure you had similar experience.
So, that's a long way of saying good post. Worthy of a BOC, TBS, A/BNOC, or S/NCO School leadership discussion.
Thanks so much for your kind words! I am really glad that you liked it and that it resonated :-)
You seem to have some great stories and insights...why aren't you publishing on Substack!?
Great points on the practical parts of leadership. Really nice.