What I wish I knew - From Cadet to LT in Afghanistan

bruno

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http://www.warcouncil.org/blog/2014/4/5/what-i-wish-i-knew-from-cadet-to-lieutenant-in-afghanistan

There is really some great advice in this piece:
"1. You’re not going to be the greatest Platoon Leader Ever ...
8. Start ruck marching – Do it a lot, and do it often. Especially if you plan on branching infantry, no one really cares how much you can bench. Your Soldiers are going to care how far you can take them ...
10. Don’t focus on being a badass – Focus on being the PL your Soldiers need you to be. Finding, fixing and finishing the enemies of the United States with extreme prejudice is awesome, but as an officer, you’re not a trigger puller. Your main weapon system is thirty-five to forty other trigger pullers. Learn when to be a hard-ass and when to be a human being, I suggest reading Eric Greitens’ book, The Heart and the Fist.

11. Stop being “slugs” – I absolutely hated this at West Point. I never understood why people would voluntarily go to USMA, just to become soft and do the bare minimum. You’re setting the tone for the rest of your Army career to be rather unenjoyable and you’re screwing over your future Soldiers. Get out now.

12. Stop being “brutal”– I also absolutely hated this at West Point. I never understood the “tool-bags” working their asses off just to gain praise from the administration. Being a good West Pointer is NOT the same as being a good Army Officer. Success bred from arrogance is not success at all....
 

Words of wisdom from Rocket City(Not my DS). Should be required reading. DS wears a bracelet he got from a friend when they were at FOB Shank some months ago. It has Justin Sisson's name on it. DS calls Justin the best 2nd LT he ever knew. I met Justin at his and DSs IBOLC graduation. Justin's mother later told me he is buried at Leavenworth National Military Cementary 20 feet from her father and 10 feet from his other grandfather. It gives her some comfort.
 
Words of wisdom from Rocket City(Not my DS). Should be required reading. DS wears a bracelet he got from a friend when they were at FOB Shank some months ago. It has Justin Sisson's name on it. DS calls Justin the best 2nd LT he ever knew. I met Justin at his and DSs IBOLC graduation. Justin's mother later told me he is buried at Leavenworth National Military Cementary 20 feet from her father and 10 feet from his other grandfather. It gives her some comfort.

I'm currently seeing patients at FOB Shank. FOB Shank is no joke. If your DS was there for 9+ months, mad respect.
 
I'm currently seeing patients at FOB Shank. FOB Shank is no joke. If your DS was there for 9+ months, mad respect.

Big thank you for the great things you do. These kids are so worth it. I pray for a 100% success ratio.

Best Wishes
 
Read this awhile ago...good read. You picked out some of the best points!
 
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