MEMO TO JUNIOR OFFICERS FROM 1LT JUSTIN BERRY QM, FOXTROT FORWARD SUPPORT COMPANY, 1-87 IN

The hardest part about being the junior officer in your unit is that you are really unprepared through your commissioning source to take on a leadership position.

When it comes down to personnel management and dealing with day-to-day soldier issues, the school house does not teach that concept very well. This knowledge comes through experience. It is a pain that everyone endures, and grows from in the end.

Trust in your NCOs and help to build and mentor your junior soldiers. Without NCO leadership nothing gets done - and there is no way that you can do it all yourself. Sit down with your platoon sergeant and determine who shares what responsibility and clearly define your roles. You do not want to micro mange your PSG but sometimes that approach is a necessary evil. Learn your job from your NCOs and they will teach you along the way. Do not let your pride get in the way, and absorb everything you can. 

Having a solid mentor in your unit or battalion is definitely a big asset since they can help walk you through challenges that you may encounter on the way. This can be your company commander, XO, or another platoon leader.

Never think that you are alone. It’s not wrong to ask for help when you don’t know something. Frankly, it looks better when you ask about something you don’t know about, instead of not asking and missing the intent completely. You will make mistakes but if you are growing, developing, and learning from your mistakes, it’s not a big deal. 

v/r

Justin Berry
1LT, QM
Foxtrot Forward Support Company, 1-87 IN
Company Commander (Rear Provisional)