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No one really likes being the "new guy." You feel out of the loop, your actions are questioned and you're constantly being sized up. To be honest, these are all good things. Anytime a new lieutenant joins a platoon it should be considered an opportunity to take a fresh look at the proficiency of the entire platoon. It's also a good occasion for the weaker squad leader(s) to step up and take more initiative within their platoon.
As platoon commander, you will usually have good experience to draw from your platoon sergeant or squad leaders. The erroneous impression I had when I was just leaving Infantry Officer's Course was that I'd be making every decision for my platoon and I'd have to know all the answers. As much as I'd like to say you should know everything as the officer in charge of your platoon, you can't and you won't. You have the ultimate decision and you are responsible for the successes or failures of the platoon, but you are NOT the only brain to be picked. More
About a month before we deployed, my shop went out to dinner as a joint going away party. We bid farewell to two Marines who were getting out of the service and also said goodbye to life in garrison for at least the next 12 months. After dinner, one of my Marines who was getting out said to me, "Ma'am, I'm not worried about you all going to Iraq because I know you'll bring everyone home safely."
This poignant vote of confidence touched my heart. It meant that she considered me an able and competent leader, and also that she trusted me with the lives of some of her closest friends. At the same time, she was expressing her expectations and those of every mother, father, sibling, spouse and friend of my deploying Marines. Her remark defined the great burden that I would carry on my shoulders, a burden familiar to every military leader who has served during a major conflict. More
Maj James R. Williamson, USMC, sends these photos and writes the Gouge:
One of my old First Sergeants from 2D LAR sent me these photos and I thought I would share them with you. My assignment prior to 2D LAR was as Aide-de-Camp to General Pace, when he was serving as Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. It was the most rewarding job I've had, and I learned more than I could ever express from him about being a Marine, an officer and quite simply a good person. More
It begins simply enough: you walk down the pier on a Monday morning just before 0800, on your way to assume command of your new ship. There she is, at the foot of the pier, her bow and superstructure consuming the sky. As you approach, they sound "Commander, United States Navy, arriving." The Sailors on the foc'scle, assembled for morning quarters, turn to look at you in unison. Every eye is on the new captain. They want to know how their lives will change with new leadership. But as much as the crew's life may be altered, so will yours. You have just begun the most meaningful thing you will ever do in your life.
As wonderful an experience as command at sea is, every captain needs to understand a fundamental calculus. Command at sea is not simply the "next job." Yes, it is enjoyable. Yes, it is great. Yes, it is everything Joseph Conrad said it is. More
It's late May, and Washington, DC bustles amid the low murmur of congested traffic as tourists try to find their way around the construction barriers and monuments. I know I should be sweating from the humidity, but today it's cool. The wind brings smells of exhaust and Polish sausages from the nearby concession trucks. I'm trying to enjoy myself, but I can't escape the pangs of anxiety that intensify with every moment.
My pace quickens as the Lincoln Memorial comes into view. We're very close now, and suddenly my friend calls out, half struggling to catch his breath: "Hey, Cummins! Slow down, man; your long legs are killing me." More
It's easy to get in trouble in the Navy and watch a fulfilling career come to an end. As senior leadership, what can you do to make sure your Sailors prosper on the Navy's yellow brick road? Here are three rules of thumb that will ensure that your Sailors get off on the right foot.
As the division officer or senior leadership, you aren't alone if you believe that keeping your nose clean will allow you to do a great job serving our country and have a prosperous career. But do your Sailors know what it takes to make it in the Navy? What does "conduct unbecoming an officer" mean, anyway? And how can you decipher the Uniform Code of Military Justice so that your Shipmates don't flush their careers down the commode? More
Recognizing your Marines or Sailors for their hard work and dedication is one of the best ways to take care of your personnel and boost morale. For many of them, earning a certificate that recognizes the contributions they have made to the Navy and Marine Corps team will be one of the highlights of their adult life. Awards also help your personnel to be competitive for promotions and get selected for special duty, and may potentially affect their marketability and earning potential in the civilian sector.
The following information and tips apply to personal awards, not unit awards or other awards such as the Purple Heart or Combat Action Ribbon. SECNAVINST 1650.1H is the reference used to compile this article. More
When I was a civilian and thought about joining the Navy, the images that came to mind definitely tended to be more of the glorified variety. Of course I couldn't help but draw on the usual cinematic references, "Top Gun" being the obvious one, and picture myself in a ready-room talking with a bunch of pilots about our most recent mission.
Surprisingly, my early experience as a Naval officer fulfilled my expectations of life at sea. I had the chance to join the fleet's newest aircraft carrier, the USS Ronald Reagan, on her maiden deployment last year. Along the way there were exotic ports, a productive cruise to the Gulf and a degree of camaraderie that I'd only experienced as an athlete in high school. More
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