|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
Go
|
New
|
Find
|
Notify
|
Tools
|
Reply
|
|
Basic Training |
Greetings CPO's:
Since mi commission last year the main recommendation I get from senior officers and chiefs is to work with my chief, let the chief run the division, keep a good relation with your chief etc. I just want to get overall feedback from CPO's on this forum on how to get a good working relationship with my LCPO once I report to my ship in Nov 08. I will work in Supply Dept. I have a lot of appreciation for my CPO's and value my enlisted folks a lot (I was a prior-enlisted E-5). Also, how will you deal with a chief that is not performing as expected from him/her? ENS D. |
||
|
Basic Training |
As prior enlisted you should have a good idea on how things work. Don't go in there with the idea of changing the way the CPO has things set up and working, go with the desire to learn. If you don't know or understand something ask the CPO to explain it to you.Treat H/Her with respect and you will be treated the same. Just remember H/She has lots of experience and know what they are doing. Keep one very important thing in mind. A brand new shiny ENS can and often is a big pain in the Fantail and you will have to earn your salt. I always had some very basic rules for my new Ens. 1) Sir, you are in MY div because I allow you to be. 2) Sir, You do not run MY div. If you have a problem with one of MY troops I damn well better hear about it first. 3) Sir,What you don't know, you can't be held responsible for, so if you don't want to know don't ask. 4) Sir,Tell me what needs to be done, then get the hell out of my way. As for dealing with below standard performance, thats something that you and the CPO should talk about in private, off the record. If it continues to be below standard then you may want to discuss it with the Dept. Head and get their view. Fair winds and following seas on your assignment |
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
woodyarn:
Thanks for the suggestions. Trust me I will not try to overstep my chief, ever. I watched a BMCS yelling to my former CO from the forecastle because our CO didn't have a clue of what was going on and he tough I guess he will look cute by telling the senior what to do. That CO got a not so friendly response. Thanks, ENS D. |
|||
|
|
Member |
That is both one of the most common descriptions of how a division officer should act and one of the most dangerous. A division officer cannot just be a mouthpiece for his chief and his department head. Every now and then the two may actually disagree on something. There is no little laundry list of ways to be a successful divo. You cannot let your chief think for you because when something breaks because it wasn't operated properly or you fail an inspection because your gear is unsat saying "I thought chief had everything under control" is not going to save you. A chief is an excellent resource, but they do not excuse you from learning your job and learning how to exercise good judgment. I don't recall a single CO, XO, or department head who thought it was acceptable to "just ask chief." If you let your chief run your division without you, you have failed as a division officer and have affectively demonstrated to your superiors, your peers, and your subordinates that you are utterly useless: they might as well just cut out the middle man and deal with your Chief exclusively. So, in summation, if you want to be a lame duck division officer and complete your first tour with a recommendation for assignment as a divo at sea (the officer equivalent of being recommended for assignment in rate), follow woodyarn's advice to the letter. However, if you want to have a chance at being a real officer, take it with a grain of salt. |
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
Thats partly true. An ENS is generally only in a div. for a short time then they move on to the next div. I always tried to train/teach my ENS that was part of my job. I always took time to teach the good ones, the bad ones took longer, however like everything else you have to lay down the ground rules from day one. When that Ens has the balls to stand-up to me, then I know I have the makings of a good officer, As for the Dept. Head and up, they know how the game is played. Maybe the Navy has changed and the officers have to be coddled now. In my job you might not get the chance to make that second mistake. |
|||
|
|
Basic Training |
Shipmates:
Great advice from both of you. Thanks a lot!!! ENS D. |
|||
|
Member |
Sir -
Good luck to you. Sounds like you're going in with a good attitude. One of the worst (and most dangerous) things is a brand new Sailor, be they an Ensign or Seaman Recruit, walking in with a know-it-all attitude/book smarts and not realizing there are folks who have BTDT and have the practical experience to compliment the education. Aoisonlee has a couple of good points. You cannot be a messenger for your subordinates and superiors - once you know what is going on you need to become more and more assertive as a divo. You also need to know when to step back and let someone handle things for you, making sure they keep you in the loop on what is happening. Learning when to step in and when to step back comes with experience. You should gotten some of that as Prior Enlisted. Aoisonlee, one of my jobs was to help prepare folks you for the one thing all officers (and I learned this from NAVRESFOR, VADM Cotton) should be striving for - command. Never met him, but I made it a point to pay attention to his statements. Yes, I could serve as a divo, freeing you to work on your SWO quals and such, but then you would lose a valuable opportunity to learn how to effectively handle Sailors. In fact, even though I did not have the background you and other officers have, I found myself having to function as an XO. You have your role in the big Navy just as I did. I was happy with my role as a Chief and content to work with the officers over me to make good things happen. CMD7, again, good luck. |
|||
|
Member |
CMD7 – Establish expectations early. Lay the ground rules for everyone and let them know they will be held accountable then actually hold them accountable. A good chief should never need more than a gentle reminder.
I really hate the Ensigns should be seen and not heard mentality. Ensigns shouldn’t be coddled, but a good Chief will help bolster his divo’s leadership confidence. An E7 will remind the divo in front of everyone that he needs to be trained, a Chief will give a snappy “Yes Sir!” and then pull the divo aside later with some constructive criticism. You have to assume that that Ensign is going to be at least a LT one day and will probably have even more responsibility than a division. If you don’t assist in his development than you are passing your “pain in the fantail” off on someone else. The scariest day for me after taking command of my reserve unit was the first time I looked around after quarters and everyone was looking at for me guidance. I recall “Oh S---, I’m in charge!” running through my head. If I had just let the Chief run things I would have learned nothing and been ill prepared for the day he left. After that, it was just me and a bunch of E6 and below. Now I had to be the CO and the Chief. It wasn’t easy, but we managed to take care of business because I was engaged from day one, I knew what I didn’t know and I wasn’t afraid to be a pain in the fantail. My take on Woodyarns 4 rules: 1) Chief, we are in this division together, neither of us can do it on our own. I’ll screen the BS from above, you screen it from below and we’ll divvy up the important stuff that is left. 2) Chief, I expect there won’t be any problems with OUR troops. I will always correct infractions on the spot and I will always keep you in the loop so you can be sure they never happen again. 3) Chief, I will ask you a lot of questions because I have a lot to learn. I expect both of us to be able to learn from each other and be able to do each others jobs. 4) Chief, I’m counting on you to keep the division in fighting shape. I will let you know what needs to be done and I will trust you to get it done. I’m not a micromanager, but I’m also going to be around a lot and trying to keep up with how hard everyone is working so when you need something from me, you won’t have to ask. |
|||
|
Basic Training |
First of all, permission to enter the Mess.
My first Chief and I knew we were on the same sheet of music when I looked at him and said, "Chief, if I can't trust you, who can I trust?" He was my most valued council on all matters inside and outside of the MMR. I was lucky to have served with him. |
|||
|
|
Member |
I second that "oh ****" feeling. I got commissioned last week and even though I'm stashed and not really doing anything significant right now, one of the first people I met at my stash job was an MMCS who has probably been in the Navy longer than I've been alive and when the first things out of his mouth was "good morning ma'am," it was really humbling. It's really starting to sink in that I'm going to be responsible for a lot even though at this point I don't know much. I guess now I need to figure out the balance between learning what I need to learn, living up to the responsibility of being an officer, and how best to use my authority when required. |
|||
|
| Previous Topic | Next Topic | powered by eve community |
 | Please Wait. Your request is being processed... |
|
|||
| Site | Military.com Forums | ||
| Servlet | eve1da047 | ||
| Version | 1.2.22 build 9062 | ||
| Module | Forums 4.0.3 | ||
| Stylesheet | "Navy Discussions" | ||
| Wordlet Set | "Default Wordlet Set" | ||
|
