Experienced Soldier Shares Lessons Acquired From Three Platoon Leadership Roles Within the Army
Sunday's a Big Day for Dickinson College's Blue Mountain ROTC Battalion 🎓💪🏼
This weekend, these badass Army wannabes are stepping into the leather and taking their first professional strides as commissioned officers. I remember my own graduation day like it was yesterday—and it's time for this badass crew to make their mark.
While the ROTC curriculum focuses heavily on platoon leadership, most young Army officers only get a short stint leading troops. The rest of their time might be spent in an office, arbitrating PowerPoint wars and streamlining systems, or as an executive officer.
Over my time in the Army, I've had the opportunity to lead three platoons, and I've stumbled along the way, but I've picked up a few valuable gems of wisdom I'd like to share. Maybe these tips will help a fellow sword-slinger carve their own path in the world of platoon command.
- Church up on Failure 😇You'd think being a warrior would mean never making mistakes. But that's nonsense! According to Olivier Serrat, if you're not making errors, you're not growing personally or professionally. We can learn the most from our mistakes. The Army gives junior officers plenty of test drives to challenge themselves in various ways, like attending Ranger School, giving a presentation at a joint exercise, or sitting down for a tough talk with a soldier for the first time. These adversities are rough, but they can help you become the best leader you can be.
- Drop the Negativity, Boost the Vibes 🚀Keeping a cheery attitude, putting in full effort, and powering through adversity are all free and easy peasy! Lead from the front, and your enthusiasm will rub off on your team like wildfire.
- Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs) are Your Secret Weapon
- In the military as well as in business and education-and-self-development, it's crucial to appreciate the value of mistakes for personal and professional growth. As Olivier Serrat pointed out, errors can serve as opportunities for learning, especially during challenging experiences such as attending Ranger School, giving a presentation, or having a difficult conversation with a subordinate.
- Fostering a positive attitude and leading by example can significantly boost morale among your team, whether you're in the military or pursuing a career in defense, education-and-self-development, or business.
- Leveraging the expertise and experience of Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs) is essential for effective leadership in any domain. These professionals can offer profound insights and support for junior leaders, acting as a valuable resource for career development and fine-tuning leadership skills.
- A successful leader is always open to learning and self-improvement, regardless of the sector or field. Pursue continuous education and career development opportunities to stay ahead in your defense, business, education-and-self-development, or any other endeavor, maintaining an adaptable mindset and seamlessly transitioning between different roles.
