Beginning a new adventure

Well,

I've inventoried the first platoon of four. Right now, on Easter Sunday, I'm away from everyone I know, travelling, and stuck at a random FOB waiting on the next flight out because the pilots are taking a half day to celebrate the holiday. But, I'm still probably the happiest I've been in a while, knowing that I'm at the beginning of what looks to be a great adventure. I take command of Alpha Battery, 1-6 Field Artillery on 15 May. I'll have 4 platoons at four different FOBs supporting three different BNs. My headquarters element will be at another location and I'll be working every day to make sure my gun platoons have what they need to provide timely and accurate artillery fires in support of the ground maneuver Soldiers.

So far, the Soldiers of my future 4th platoon have impressed me. Their continuing position improvement and dedication to supporting the manuever element is outstanding. The Soldiers seemed receptive to my coming to take command and were very helpful, going out of their way to make sure I was comfortable with all of the property inventories.

Hopefully next time I visit, I'll be able to see them conduct a fire mission. The Soldiers seemed in relatively high spirits and it gave me motivation to do the best possible job I can as their commander. I'm starting to learn some of the challenges I'll face, resourcing and managing the dispersed battery, and I hope that I'll be able to break down some of the barriers with a new vigor coming into command.

My only concern is the lack of time I'll have getting to know the Soldiers. That is something I will endeavor to fix. I plan to do a fairly hefty circulation plan in the first month to simply get to know my men. As a leader, in my mind, that is the most important thing you can do to effectively lead your organization: Know your people.

I think one of the Army's weaknesses comes from leaders and personnel managers who make decisions about Soldiers and their careers based off a numbers game, without regard for the many aspects of that Soldier's life, family, and strengths/weaknesses. I hope that I will be able to make as many informed decisions as possible, and not fall into that trap.

I am thankful that I have Robyn at home, to help as a great asset in being able to link into the other side of the Soldiers...their families. I believe that is one thing I have to strengthen my command that my predecessor lacked since he was single. I just hope that it doesn't over-stress Robyn! She has so many things on her plate that she is working to accomplish daily. I am so proud of her. With her job working as the Survivor Outreach Services Financial Counselor, she gets to help those families most in need. Lately, we have had those families newly mourning, within our Brigade...and they need someone like her.

Soon, I'll be off to the next FOB, looking at the next platoon's equipment and meeting the rest of my future Soldiers. Hopefully along the way, I'll be able to have a positive impact on them and the organization as a whole.