Half Way... More or Less...

It's been months. We've been through Gunnery using the newest Tank platform in the US Army's fleet. We've conducted training non-stop since I took over. Now, I've been promoted seasoned and can unfortunately already see the "light at the end of the tunnel." There are new LT's lined up in the Battalion and more on the way all waiting for their chance at being "PL."

It's not easy, it's not just hey I'm the guy in charge around here... As a leader I have found that I am the greatest servant.... As my old Sergeant Major (Zimm) would coach me "it's all about servant leadership." We constantly strive to develop and train Soldiers to carry on the institution we have taken over from the Leaders before us.

Leadership... It's definitely not a 9 to 5 job. It's not for the timid or the weak. It's for those of strong will yet an open ear. It's for those that understand it's a team effort and not for those who get by on toxic dictatorship authoritarian styles. It's building teams and enforcing standards. It's much more than can be expressed in a few short paragraphs. I am not by any means a star, however I believe I am building a few.

Red, This is Red One, Two Tanks, Four Rounds Sabot, Fire and Adjust!!!!

Week one down... The week consisted of my Tankers being on Brigade Red Cycle duties, my two Section Leaders graduating from the Advanced Leaders Course, my senior Gunner heading off to the Warrior Leaders Course, and one of my Junior Soldiers becoming the only remaining candidate in the Excellence in Armor program for our Company. Aside from that I spent countless hours correcting our training calendar, developing Task Conditions and Standards for various training events, planning for upcoming ranges, and just all around enjoying my new suck....

Two Fridays ago, I submitted my PSG counseling for review by the CO... Still waiting... I believe it will be reviewed shortly and I hope to post about my experience in counseling a hardened Tanker Platton Sergeant Combat Veteran as a former soft skill MOS turned hardcore Tanker Platoon Leader... I really believe we will make a good team overall....

Red Ready...

Nearly six long months of being on the hill have passed and finally, I have a Tank Platoon... Tomorrow I will officially take the reigns as Red One. I've been with the Company for nearly four months now so I have a feel for the Platoon already. The first order of business is to instill a sense of professionalism back into this organization. These men have been led by a Lieutenant that has been less than a role model for the last few months... We have a bit of housekeeping to do now...

Renegade One Out

The Branch

The Armor Branch Chief came down today to talk with all the Armor Officers in the Brigade. It was a good discussion and like most Armor/Cavalry Officer gatherings, the beer was provided free of charge. To give an idea of the culture, half of the attendees were wearing black stetsons with crossed sabers on the front, two thirds were sipping on a beer, and the chief delivering the brief went through two beers during his discussion.

The topic was career progression and really focused on seeking positions not directly related to employing tactics (fighting), in order to make yourself a more well rounded officer, and ultimately more prepared for positions of higher command.

I also finished my FLIPL today, pending the boss' approval.

SPO OUT

On the Line... Waiting...

No change. Waiting for a Platoon.

Days turn into weeks after waiting through convalescent leave for surgery in November, block leave in December, and now the better part of January as we've been hitting multiple ranges each week. I've spent my time getting to know the Solders of Crusader, assisting Platoon Leaders in setting up training, serving as the Range Safety Officer for M9, M2, M4 and Land Navigation and doing Company level public affairs.

I can say I've made the best of this seemingly bad situation by staying decisively engaged at the Company level instead of going back to one of the Battalion Staff shops (land of the lost toys). I now have a better understanding of Company level operations and will hit the ground running when I take leadership of a Platoon.

On the horizon I can see a position opening up in the near future. I've watched an opportunity squandered by incompetence and negligence of PL's.

"Crusader"

The One and Only Armor Dragon 6

The Battalion will undergo a leadership change tomorrow as we say goodbye to the first ever Armor Officer to Command the Can-Do Dragons. A few hundred soldiers stood out in the cold rain in formation to include Lieutenants and Platoon Sergeants mixed into the ranks. I couldn't help but to think of the MANY times I'd been in the same situation as an enlisted soldier, and a smile came to my face as I thought about a few LT's whom I knew were thinking they were too good to be mixed in the ranks.

Day One... +1

It's 2011!

Finally past the holidays and getting ready for the entire Brigade to get back on the hill and back to training! We start off quick, within the first few weeks we will be through Basic Rifle Marksmanship, Reflexive Fire, and a ton of what I've heard will be killer Physical Fitness.

Our Battalion will have both a new Commander and Sergeant Major. With any luck, I will have a Platoon...