Officer Leadership in cow yr
- Thread starter rock25
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- Oct 25, 2008
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First, a platoon sergeant is not considered officer leadership, they are NCO's (non-commissioned officers). The selection proccess is company dependent. Interviews are held which are usually open to anyone who wants to give it a shot near the end of every semester. Before, when rising Cows scrambled, Tactical Officers would tag you as a having the potential to fill a key role and your future Tactical Officer would take that into consideration. A lot of it will depend on your past performance and how you fit the people sitting at the interview's vision of what they expect from you.
I am assuming you are asking this because you heard the recent change where "platoon sergeant" (4 per company) is now the highest possible position to be achieved by a Cow. Previously, they were able to attain the ranks of First Sergeant (one per company) and Sergeant Major (one per three companies) which are now Firstie positions.
You essentially work side by side with the Platoon Leader (Firstie). He is the one in charge of guiding the platoon and setting goals and visions while your job is basically to implement his guidance. Here is the role of a platoon sergeant from the SOP (Standard Operating Procedures):
5. Platoon Sergeant. Second in command of the platoon and the Senior Cadet Noncommissioned Officer in the platoon. Responsible to the Platoon Leader, oversees the administrative and logistical support for the platoon.
Specific duties include:
a. Leads the platoon in the Platoon Leader's absence.
b. Provides guidance to and actively supervise the Squad Leaders in the performance of all assigned duties. Counsels Squad Leaders on their performance.
c. Conducts platoon assembly and accountability at all company formations. Receives daily status reports from Squad Leaders and forward to First Sergeant.
d. Assists the First Sergeant and Supply Sergeant in ensuring administrative and logistical requirements are met by consolidating all administrative reports and supply requests for the platoon and submitting them to the First Sergeant or Supply Sergeant, as applicable, in a timely manner.
e. Inspects platoon personnel and facilities to ensure that:
1) Personal appearance is satisfactory at all times.
2) Uniforms are available in the required quantity, properly marked, serviceable, and properly fitted (CARD 1500, USCC SOP).
3) Personal and government equipment is properly secured and maintained.
4) Room appearance is satisfactory and in accordance with the standards established for the inspection period - SAMI, AMI, or PMI (CARD 200, USCC SOP). Platoon area and bulletin boards are properly maintained.
5) Personnel adhere to all applicable regulations, directives, standard operating procedures, and unit policies.
f. Monitors the use of the laundry service by platoon members to include quality control, timeliness of service, and processing of claims. Consolidates laundry complaint forms and forward to Supply Sergeant. Reports recurring problems to the Supply Sergeant.
g. On recommendation of the Squad Leader or Platoon Sergeant, counsels members of the platoon on their performance in such areas as conduct, leadership, physical education, and academics. Recommends individuals to the Platoon Leader or other available resource agencies for counseling, discipline action, or assistance, as required.
h. Keeps the Platoon Leader informed of all activities and events within platoon.
i. Establishes and maintains an effective two-way flow of communication within the platoon.
j. Reviews all explanations of discipline reports and special pass requests, forwarded by the Squad Leaders, and forwards to Platoon Leader with a recommendation for disposition.
k. Serves as platoon point of contact on security matters.