The Army 2nd Lieutenant

The Hardest Job in the Army

The Army 2nd lieutenant very well may be the hardest job in the Army. Most 2LT are very young, normally between the ages of 23 and 26, unless they’re lucky enough to have been enlisted prior to receiving their commission. They are immediately put into the military ranks as role of platoon sergeant and for most 2LT, this is their first position in the Army and in a large leadership position. I will say that it’s much easier for a soldier who was already enlisted to do well as a 2LT and platoon sergeant than a new officer right from OCS. It is at least twice as hard for a 2LT in a combat MOS. The demands obviously are much greater and so are the expectations.

Where Do You Start?

The worst thing you can do as an Army 2nd lieutenant is come into your platoon as a power-hungry officer with an attitude similar to “I am in charge. Hear me roar.” You must keep in mind that even though you may be the overall leader of the platoon, the platoon sergeant and NCO still exist. You should begin by letting the platoon sergeant do his or her job. While you watch and observe, get to know all your NCOs and don’t spend too much time with the lower enlisted. The last thing you want is have a lower enlisted thinking you’re his or her go-between or friend. Your friends are other officers or more senior enlisted, not an E4 whiner who’s upset because the platoon sergeant makes them do PT at 0500 every day. You should let the NCOs do their job and observe. If you have suggestions or don’t like how the platoon is being run, then take it up with the platoon sergeant. You should never go right to an NCO or junior enlisted unless it’s a safety issue or requires immediate action. Your job will be a lot easier if you let the platoon sergeant and NCOs do their job without your constant interaction or involvement.

Who Is Most Important to YOU?

The most important person in the beginning of your career is your platoon sergeant. You must have a great personal and professional relationship with your platoon sergeant. I don’t mean you have to spend time watching football together, just get along like siblings. You have to trust and respect the platoon sergeants; they’re the ones responsible for teaching, training, and passing on knowledge to you. If you simply let the platoon sergeant do their job without stepping on his or her toes and constantly making changes to their platoon, your job will be a lot easier. Your job isn’t to reinvent the wheel, your job is to oversee the safety, planning, and execution of your platoon’s task and mission. The platoon sergeant’s job is to make sure it gets completed. The only time you should get involved in business is when something is being done unsafely or incorrectly. Other than that, stay in your own officer lane.

How to Be Successful

Being successful is so easy. Just let the platoon sergeants and NCOs do their job. You can be involved, but at an arm’s length. You should spend time with all the NCOs and soldiers doing training, educating, and learning, but don’t get too close to any NCO or soldier or else they might feel like they can come right to you over their direct leadership. You must make sure you follow the chain of command as well as the soldiers in your platoon. Don’t be afraid to learn from the platoon sergeant and other NCOs as well. They probably have more time and experience in the Army and can teach you a lot.

Remember that you are responsible for your platoon’s success. If there are failures, be willing to take responsibility and not blame the NCO as a whole. You’re all in it together. It’s your platoon, the platoon sergeant’s platoon, and the NCO’s platoon. You can reach great success, especially if you have a great platoon sergeant with experience and knowledge. The better you platoon sergeant is, the better and more successful you shall be and become.

You should also learn the NCO creed and hold NCOs to it. The NCO creed says “officers of my unit will have maximum time to accomplish their duties. They will not have to accomplish mine.” You should always remember this and let the NCO do their job and offer guidance and assistance when needed or asked.