As I sit here at my desk looking at my branch insignia it really hit me how close it is till I pin on the gold bars and really start my military career.
So what I am asking, is what can I do to better prepare myself to be a Field Artillery officer in the US Army and an officer in general? What can I do to better myself?
I am asking here because of the diverseness of the community throughout ranks, time periods served, and MOSs. Any advice will be truly appreciated.
Well, IMO, the Infantry OSUT course and the brief enlisted experience probably prepared you better then most 2nd LT's for the Commission.
On the general Officer stuff. Get to know the men under your command, their backgrounds, etc. I understand the no fratenization policy but....
Even if your not in a war zone, chances are good at some point in your career your going to have to write that letter home to a Soldiers Parents telling them what a good Soldier so and so was and include some personal background. Your going to feel a lot crappier if you don't know what to write or have to ask others to fill in the blanks or the guy was under your Command and you never really knew them.
On the Artillery stuff, branch specific I think for the most part but.....
One thing I will say though. Make sure where your sending those 155 mm rounds is correct and precise and downrange is clear of friendlies. Always ask for validation or verification if your the first to fire. Don't ever get complacent there and presume someone has done this job already. Especially, on the NG and Reserve posts (no offense to NG and Reserves, I was one too thats how I know these things).
1. If at all possible, let your Platoon Sergeant/NCOIC ride herd on the troops and handle day to day matters.
2. If you come up with a "bright idea", run it past your Platoon Sergeant/NCOIC first. It may really be a good idea. It may also be stupid. He will be a much better judge of these things than you will be. Once you pop off to the troops, battery commander, etc., youre probably committed.
3. If something goes wrong, don't throw your Soldiers or NCOs under the bus. That will get you nowhere. Just man up. You'll win cool points with your peeps and with your superiors.
4. Watch your 6 win dealing with your peers. I guarantee there will be at least one out there who would love to proverbially stab you in the back and twist the blade!
Don't abuse your authority and lead by example. This really will not apply to you right now, but as you become a seasoned officer, it is amazing how many officers feel the rules do not apply to them.
More importantly, you will spend most of your time in Staff positions as an officer. You need to learn when to stand your ground and do the right thing versus fighting every little screwed up thing.
The last piece of advice is that even though there will be times you will have no Soldiers reporting to you, all Soldiers are looking at you and sizing you up on and off duty. The Army is very small and you will be amazed who you will see again at the next duty assignment.
Originally posted by Redburch: The last piece of advice is that even though there will be times you will have no Soldiers reporting to you, all Soldiers are looking at you and sizing you up on and off duty. The Army is very small and you will be amazed who you will see again at the next duty assignment.
Also, you don't have to answer this question Gerald. You know sometimes I do cross the line with my inquisitiveness. However, curiousity gets the best of me.
Hey Gerald, I also just found out that I too will be branching Field Artillery come May. I've been skulking these forums for good advice and information for quite a while now, so I thought I would throw myself out in the open finally.
Originally posted by WENDELLKEITHDUNCAN: Was that the psycho that was on here earlier this summer? Or was it earlier this year? Time flys when you are having fun.
It was the guy that had you about to throw your computer out the window. He was a USAR PFC or SP4 I think, career planning went like this...
I want to be a Dental Assistant.
I need to be in Iraq.
I want to be an Engineer.
I want to go Infantry.
I need to be in Iraq.
I want to be an Officer
No, I want to be enlisted again.
No, I really should be in Iraq.
Last post was, I'm moving to Penn State to join their ROTC Program and then poof! he was gone off the website.
In approx that order. It was funny to an extent because you helped him patiently the first 2-3 times. Then you started to post ridiculous pictures. So I was just curious if the guy found a direction or path and stuck with it. He spent like 8-12 months here posting the above career plan and irritating everyone.
