Platoon Sergeant

As LTC Owens, I am excited for the opportunity to command the 4th Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT). After my initial assessment of the unit, I have a good feel for the brigade’s primary issues and look forward to the challenges ahead. I have divided the problems identified into four primary lines of effort: Build the Team, Training, Leadership Development, and Fortify the Team. These lines of effort comprise the essential tasks in meeting my vision for the brigade. My vision is: 4th ABCT…

There is a prestige group of Americans who don’t follow the typical lifestyle that regular citizens live in the United States. Their way of life is so unique that those who do not live it do not understand it. They are the 1%. They are the American Soldier. In this essay, I will give you a small snippet their way of life. You will get a better understanding of their jargon, brotherhood, and what it means to live within a military culture. What is a Soldier? Mainstream media portrays…

boot camp pushed Mr. Gillanders to strive to a better ranking in the National Guard. Before the time he left the military, Mr. Gillanders earned the rank of Command Chief Master Sergeant, the ninth highest non-commissioned officer rank. Although he worked is all forces of the military, being Command Chief Master Sergeant was his favorite. Before earning this rank, my grandfather was in charge of the food facility. “The food was always alright,” he…

Coda of Freshman Year I’m eighteen days away from being twenty, and I believe I’ve made many accomplishments at such a young age. I’ve graduated high school, became a U.S Army soldier, bought my parents a car, gave my mother legal documentation in the United States after twenty-one years in this country, and continuing my education to become a professional in the future. It has never been easy but I was able to push through all the obstacles put in my way to accomplish every goal I’ve set for…

The term mission command probably draws immediate blank stares from many noncommissioned officers. The phrase alone lends itself to falling under the umbrella of commanders, strictly officer business, not in the wheelhouse of sergeants. Mission command is the next generation of Command and Control. Command and Control utilized trickle down leadership, propelled downward through the chain of command from the commander to the lowest level. Mission Command involves all leaders, not just the…

family council has recommended expanding the MTAP to include licenses and technical certifications.3 As stated by the Sergeant Major of the Army, Dan Dailey, “one of his priorities for 2016 has been to push for expanding tuition assistance to pay for credentialing…”4 Furthermore, the family council has recommended expanding MTAP to incorporate spouses. The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James Cody has said the “DoD…

questions?” “Airman please wait outside, have a seat with Staff Sergeant Bell, and don’t wonder off. Tell Wo to come in.” The Major ordered. Senior Airman Ramirez was momentarily taken-back and wasn’t happy at all to be summarily dismissed with no answer to his question. He also knew, however, that he had no recourse, he stood, came to attention, saluted, did an about face and marched out of the room and into the hallway. “Staff Sergeant Wo they want you now.” Ramirez stated, with that…

A Legacy Leader is someone whose actions continue to have a positive influence on an individual, group of people and/or organization. Legacy Leaders are considered to be “Leaders of Influence” because they create an environment conducive for developing others through professional and personal growth; they build team cohesiveness through trust; and they produce effective leaders and professionals who are capable of getting results and accomplishing the mission. I’ve chosen the individual below…

Soldiers in the 35P Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) face many challenges as the progress through their language school and Advanced Individual Training (AIT). They spend six to 18 months focusing all their attention on learning a second language at an accelerated pace and when they have accomplished that daunting task they are sent to Goodfellow Air Force Base to learn the technical aspect of their MOS, usually another three or four months of training. By the time a 35P Soldier arrives at…

Pit Bulls Should Not Be Banned Pit bulls are often called violent dogs. They are stigmatized as the breed often known as fighting dogs. These dogs are singled out to be restrained or banned and are put to death just for their breed. In Lafayette, Louisiana, two men were arrested for dog fighting and fifty-seven pit bulls were confiscated. Some of the confiscated dogs had scars from fighting, and just because of the breed’s reputation, all of the dogs were considered dangerous. The Louisiana…