Taking the Guidon is a must read book for new Company Commanders in any military branch. If you’re about to take command of a troop, detachment, or company, you need a game-plan. You have a big job ahead of you, and you need all the help you can get. Spending a few hours to study …
You probably won’t find a lot of former Company Commanders out there who will admit to the mistakes they made during their time in Company Command. I’m going to do that today, in hopes of helping future and current Company Commanders from making the same mistakes that I did. While I had a very successful …
In today’s post, I would like to share a sample Company Commander Command Philosophy. Feel free to copy and paste this and modify it as needed to meet your standards. If nothing else, it’s a good starting point for your command. LETTERHEAD UNIT SYMBOL …
If you are a Company Commander, you must have a unit newsletter. Your unit newsletter helps you communicate effectively with your Soldiers and family members. In my opinion, communication is a key attribute to leadership success in any organization. One of the biggest challenges for part-time Company Commanders is “information flow.” Because most of your …
Prior to taking Company Command, Company Commanders must meet a variety of requirements. One of those requirements includes the Company Pre-Command Course. Prior to assuming command, you must enroll you in the company level Pre-Command Course. The Pre-Command course is a 40-hour block of instruction designed to help future Company Commanders and First Sergeants prepare …
Before you take the guidon, you need to mentally prepare for command. Company Command is a huge responsibility. It requires a mentally tough person, capable of leading Soldiers in a high stress environment; potentially in combat. Most military officer timelines include a season on brigade or battalion staff before command; that is the ideal time …
In today’s post, I’d like to discuss Army Company Training Meetings. This advice is geared for Army Reserve and Army National Guard Company Commanders, but will also benefit Active Duty officers. Personally, I don’t like company training meetings. No, I take that back. I hate company training meetings that accomplish nothing and wastes my time. …
You can’t and shouldn’t be a Company Commander forever. Even though it’s a fun and rewarding job, you still need to actively manage your career. Besides, the longer you stay in the job, the less effective you will be. At some point, normally around 18-24 months, you will plateau, be burnt out, and gradually start …
Listed below are some tips for Company Commanders serving in the ARNG and USAR. You don’t need to incorporate every idea I mention to be an effective Company Commander, but some of these can ideas can have a huge, positive impact in your company. Here they are, in no particular order. In the U.S. Army, …
There is life before Company Command. In fact, the different leadership positions such as Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer and Battalion Staff Officer are designed to shape, mold and develop “seasoned” Captains who become effective Company Commanders. One of the biggest mistakes Company Grade Officers make is being in a rush to take command. Now, …
