The Platoon Leader, Platoon Sergeant Relationship is a beautiful thing when it works right.
A long time ago, the Army realized that all new Platoon Leaders needed a seasoned Platoon Sergeant to learn from.
And that’s how the Platoon Leader, Platoon Sergeant relationship started.
When a new Army Officer assumes the duties as a Platoon Leader, they have very little experience.
In fact, most new Platoon Leaders have zero military and zero management experience.
Most new Platoon Leaders recently finished their Basic Officer Leadership Course and were just assigned as new Platoon Leaders.
Therefore, they have no clue about what they are supposed to do.
On the other hand, the Platoon Sergeant usually has somewhere between 10-16 years of military experience.
They have worked their way up through the enlisted ranks and previously had experience as a Soldier, Team Leader, Squad Leader and maybe even as a Section Sergeant.
Most Platoon Sergeants even have combat experience.
In the Platoon Leader, Platoon Sergeant relationship, the Platoon Sergeant is the teacher and the Platoon Leader is the student.
Although they work hand-in-hand as a team, the Platoon Sergeant typically runs the day-to-day activities of the platoon.
They also handle the individual training, Soldier discipline and Soldier issues.
On the other hand, the Platoon Leader is responsible for the collective training of the platoon.
The Platoon Leader writes OPORDs, holds meetings, prepares correspondence, and is the formal leader of the platoon.
The are also responsible for mission planning.
They are ultimately responsible for everything that happens or fails to happen in the platoon.
Technically, the Platoon Leader is in charge.
But anyone that’s served in this capacity before quickly realizes that the Platoon Sergeant is normally the one running the show.
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Most new Second Lieutenants serve as Platoon Leaders for 9-18 months.
During this time they are expected to learn many valuable lessons.
Some of these lessons include:
- Situational Leadership
- Battle Drills
- Counseling
- Mission Planning
- Army Customs, Courtesies and Traditions
- Administration
- Maintenance
- Readiness Indicators
- Leader Development
- Career Planning
- And so much more!
Most importantly, they learn small unit leadership.
They get experience leading NCOs and Soldiers in a tactical environment.
And, that is what the Army is all about.
Some of this experience comes through trial and error.
Platoon Leaders learn from their mistakes.
However, most Platoon Leaders learn by watching their Platoon Sergeants in action.
In fact, a good Platoon Sergeant will train their Platoon Leader without the Platoon Leader even knowing that they are being trained.
Like I said earlier, it’s a beautiful thing when it works right.
If you are a new Platoon Leader, I can give you some helpful advice for working with your Platoon Sergeant.
These are some of my best tips I learned through trial and error.
1. Show Your Platoon Sergeant Proper Respect: Your Platoon Sergeant is an enlisted Soldier and you are an officer.
You must at all times give your Platoon Sergeant the respect that they are due.
Don’t go by a first name basis.
And, don’t become best friends.
Instead, form a proper professional relationship that is based upon trust and mutual respect.
2. Listen: You have two ears and one mouth for a reason.
You should do twice as much listening as you do talking.
Process what your Platoon Sergeant says.
Even if you disagree, listen!
Ask for their input whenever you can.
3. Be Humble: That’s right.
This was my biggest challenge as a new Platoon Leader.
Remember, you don’t know it all.
And, you’re not supposed too!
Admit to your Platoon Sergeant that you are not a know it all.
Tell them that you want to learn.
They will respect you for that.
4. Be Confident and Be Decisive!
Act confident.
Walk with your head up.
Work on your posture.
Look people in the eye when you talk to them.
Be decisive.
When you shake hands, have a firm grip.
When time permits, seek input from your Platoon Sergeant before you make a major decision.
5. Work as a Team: Your mission and your Soldiers must be your top priority.
You must put those two things first.
To make life simple, use formal counseling to clearly identify each others’ roles within the platoon.
That way, you can work smart.
6. Put Your Personality Differences Aside: Personality differences are irrelevant.
What’s most important is your mission and your Soldiers.
Agree to disagree when you need to.
Even if you are both a “Type A” personality you can make things work.
7. Lead By Example: Always lead by example.
Realize your Platoon Sergeant and your subordinates are always watching you.
Live by the Army values and don’t try to become buddy-buddy with your NCOs or Soldiers.
You are their leader, not their friend.
8. Don’t Blindly Follow Your Platoon Sergeant: That’s right.
Don’t blindly follow anyone.
Assess their capabilities and performance.
Test their knowledge.
When possible, seek your Platoon Sergeant’s input, but make your own decisions.
That’s why you are the Platoon Leader.
9. Encourage Two Way Communication: The Platoon Leader and Platoon Sergeant must be able to be openly honest with each other without fear of punishment.
If you do something wrong as the Platoon Leader, your Platoon Sergeant should be able to pull you behind closed doors and talk to you openly.
And, if your Platoon Sergeant does something wrong, you should do the same thing for them.
10. Always Support Each Other in Front of Your Troops: Never undermine each other in front of your troops.
Always support each others’ decisions.
If you have differences, work them out behind closed doors.
Final Thoughts
In summary, the impact a good Platoon Sergeant can have on their Platoon Leader will last a lifetime.
The Platoon Leader, Platoon Sergeant relationship is the foundation for an officer’s future military success.
In my nearly 16 years of military service, I’ve yet to meet another officer (at any rank) who couldn’t tell you the names of their first Platoon Sergeant.
I’ll never forget my Platoon Sergeants, SSG Drain, SSG Shin and SFC Luna.
Thank you for teaching me what right looks like.
How about you?
What tips can you offer for an effective Platoon Leader, Platoon Sergeant relationship?
We would like to hear from you if you were in either position.
Leave a comment below to let me know what you think.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Chuck Holmes
Former Army Major (resigned)
Publisher, Part-Time-Commander.com
Email: mrchuckholmes@gmail.com
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I wish they would cadets that what they did in ROTC has very little bearing on the real Army. Most of the issues I’ve had in the past was a 2LT who was in charge of their cadet battalion and could score a 360 on the extended scale thinking that anyone cared. That they could do this or that. To all the enlisted joes this is even worse than basic training stories.
This relationship, or any similar officer-senior enlisted relationship, can really make or break a platoon. If you have a top flight Platoon Sergeant and a Platoon Leader who is willing to learn and lead you have the beginings of a great platoon.
However many problems can occur. I will highlight the two most common I've seen.
1. New officer thinks he knows everything and treats Platoon Sergeant without respect. This is a bad situation.
2. Platoon Sergeant dislikes Platoon Leader either because of a personal issue or just because he has a problem with new LT's. Also not a good situation. This is rare, but I have seen some senior enlisted who really have a problem with new LT's.
Overall, These are the exceptions and most of the relationships are very productive for both parties (Good movie version of a similar relationship is We Were Soldiers)
Good points, Jeff. I think a good relationship is built upon mutual trust, respect and good communication.
This relationship can be complicated, like any other, but these are some good points to keep in mind. I especially agree that you should be able to put your differences aside, be professional, and always support each other in front of your subordinates. Disagreements and personal issues should never be aired in front of the people who need to feel that you are confident and competent and in charge. Presenting a united front can help morale and confidence in leadership.
I got to be a PL for just about 3 years, and the last year was when it got to be the most fun, because I hit my stride (so time to move on!). I loved every bit of it! I hope everyone that is new to their platoon takes a moment to reflect on how lucky they are to be given a group of Soldiers to take care of. It’s a huge responsibility and honor. I wouldn’t have traded this experience for anything.
Consider yourself lucky to get the chance to do it for three years. It’s one of the best jobs in the Army for Officers.
This sounds like a very unique relationship. I’m sure it can be quite frustrating for the Platoon Sergeant at times, trying to teach his boss how to do his own job.
I bet it is. That’s one of the reasons I have so much respect for NCOs.
This sounds like a complicated relationship. The PSG has to do their job plus train the Platoon Leader, even though the Platoon Leader is in charge. I’m not sure how well I would do in a job like that.
It is a tough job. Yet, 90% or more of all PSGs do a great job getting these things done! NCOs never cease to amaze me.
Sounds like a pretty complicated relationship to me. I give a hats off to the Platoon Sergeant for being responsible for so much, even though they aren’t technically in charge.
It is a complicated relationship, but NCOs can handle it!
These are good tips to enhance the professional relationship between a Platoon Leaders and a Platoon Sergeant. Communication is such a critical component in these types of relationships. I like that you have listening on this list. Often times we can learn a lot when we close our mouth and open our ears and really hear what people are saying.