Just going to post a few point from a really good post from the platoon leader forum:
Point #1: You and Your Platoon Sergeant
Point #2: You and Your Platoon
Point #3: Counseling
Point #4: Playing Well With Others
Point #5: Being With Your Soldiers
Point #6: Standing Operating Procedures (SOPs)
Point #7: OER Support Forms
Point #8: Layouts and Property Accountability
Point #9: Systems Improvement
Point #10: You and Your Ego
Tomorrow I'll recap all of Vegas and all of the the CRAP I need to get done before I head out...
04 January 2011
29 December 2010
Off to The Meadows.
Reasoning behind title. Las Vegas = The Meadows. Interesting how much "Las Vegas" is different in connotation than its actual meaning. The Meadows sounds like a boring sleeper town in Nebraska.
After a mere day I am back again leaving from the same terminal in the same place I wrote from before heading to San Diego. I realized coming back was almost pointless... might have been better to just have flown from San Diego. I guess it was good to get my bearings back home... plus until yesterday I thought I'd be driving up with Aq on the 31st.
It should be much better to spend more time in the good company of J and Aunt P. Plus I have a ride back with Aq so no round trip was really necessary.
(as I scribe this post I also look back and realize those extra two days were ABSOLUTELY worth it)
Should be a fun surprise for J.
Still can't believe it was only in March that I was in Vegas last. Seems way longer.
I'll try to write in Vegas, but I'll probably be preoccupied. Maybe a few notes a day will suffice..
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/orrxx067/architecture/lasvegas.jpg
After a mere day I am back again leaving from the same terminal in the same place I wrote from before heading to San Diego. I realized coming back was almost pointless... might have been better to just have flown from San Diego. I guess it was good to get my bearings back home... plus until yesterday I thought I'd be driving up with Aq on the 31st.
It should be much better to spend more time in the good company of J and Aunt P. Plus I have a ride back with Aq so no round trip was really necessary.
(as I scribe this post I also look back and realize those extra two days were ABSOLUTELY worth it)
Should be a fun surprise for J.
Still can't believe it was only in March that I was in Vegas last. Seems way longer.
I'll try to write in Vegas, but I'll probably be preoccupied. Maybe a few notes a day will suffice..
http://blog.lib.umn.edu/orrxx067/architecture/lasvegas.jpg
27 December 2010
Back to Tuscon
Wasn't quite as diligent in writing since Christmas just from the short travel and a couple days of seeing the San Diego sights.
Aunt C and I bolted out in the mid-afternoon/evening to her place with the thought of checking out Sea World the next day.
Once we got to her house, we headed downtown to see the city life of San Diego.Gas Lamp is a very cool strip of city. You could barely tell it was Xmas by the let's-go-dancing attitude of many of the patrons of the two pubs we visited.
The first place had dance music and the second was an old-timey Irish bar complete with rock band.
The next day Aunt C and I went to Sea World. With the free admin for military--you can't beat Christmas with Shamu.
I'm now on my way back to Tuscon and home for a few days.
Aunt C and I bolted out in the mid-afternoon/evening to her place with the thought of checking out Sea World the next day.
Once we got to her house, we headed downtown to see the city life of San Diego.Gas Lamp is a very cool strip of city. You could barely tell it was Xmas by the let's-go-dancing attitude of many of the patrons of the two pubs we visited.
The first place had dance music and the second was an old-timey Irish bar complete with rock band.
The next day Aunt C and I went to Sea World. With the free admin for military--you can't beat Christmas with Shamu.
I'm now on my way back to Tuscon and home for a few days.
25 December 2010
Skype Christmas Wonder.
Was able to see Dad, Mom, the grandparents, and siblings on the webcam from San Diego with my aunt, uncle, and cousins. All at once. We underestimate how cool this kind of the thing is.
Yes, sometimes the beautifully sentimental (gag-me) parts about delayed communications are great, but being able to connect "in person" is soooo nice. We shall see how well it works out for my situations as compared to my dad's.
We spanned from San Diego to home to Afghanistan.
At least we're not sacrificing face-time.
Yes, sometimes the beautifully sentimental (gag-me) parts about delayed communications are great, but being able to connect "in person" is soooo nice. We shall see how well it works out for my situations as compared to my dad's.
We spanned from San Diego to home to Afghanistan.
At least we're not sacrificing face-time.
23 December 2010
San Diego Arrival
The man next to me asked me where I was stationed. That was all we need to spark an hour-long conversation from Tuscon to San Diego.
These types of conversations have happened a lot to me over the past 5 years or so but honestly it’s been a while since I’ve followed through with a conversation past the pleasantries.
The guy knew Joe Pa, liked traveling, and was invested in exploring. Okay guy in my book! Little kid who sat with his mom on the other side of me was the only type of kid I hope to have… happy and quiet!
After sitting down, Uncle F and I went over on a scenic roundabout that was improved greatly by some great fish tacos at a yacht club. Don’t know if the Yacht Club atmosphere is my scene, but it sure inspired me to try my hand at sailing eventually (last time, when I was ten I puked my guts out all day 25 miles off the coast of Florida).
I kept looking at the Skyline of San Diego as we drove around and couldn’t help but think about Ron Burgundy in Anchorman. San Diego… Which of course, in German, means a Whale’s Vagina.
…Anyway. The city was truly a sight to see. Gas Lamp, the navy base, the marina, the Pacific. All picture worthy.
These types of conversations have happened a lot to me over the past 5 years or so but honestly it’s been a while since I’ve followed through with a conversation past the pleasantries.
The guy knew Joe Pa, liked traveling, and was invested in exploring. Okay guy in my book! Little kid who sat with his mom on the other side of me was the only type of kid I hope to have… happy and quiet!
After sitting down, Uncle F and I went over on a scenic roundabout that was improved greatly by some great fish tacos at a yacht club. Don’t know if the Yacht Club atmosphere is my scene, but it sure inspired me to try my hand at sailing eventually (last time, when I was ten I puked my guts out all day 25 miles off the coast of Florida).
I kept looking at the Skyline of San Diego as we drove around and couldn’t help but think about Ron Burgundy in Anchorman. San Diego… Which of course, in German, means a Whale’s Vagina.
…Anyway. The city was truly a sight to see. Gas Lamp, the navy base, the marina, the Pacific. All picture worthy.
Measured/Managed. Musings from the Airport.
How to become a good writer
-Write a lot. Makes sense.
How to make changes.
-Track changes.
“What gets measured gets managed.” This quote seems particularly important to someone in my circumstance—a glorified military-manager. An officer...
What do I measure? Well I guess I should start with putting together a system for that measurement—first for myself, and secondly for others to use. After all, unless it has to do with something personal—something that only I can do, like exercise—I don’t need to do all the work in my exploits, be they professional or not.
With all the signal equipment I’ll soon be in charge of, I scarcely know how my soldiers go about measuring it. But I’m not really in charge of measuring the equipment. I’m in charge of measuring them—guiding them, and managing them through my NCO’s.
So my own personal goals I’d like to manage better…
1) Writing/Art/Guitar (spirit crap) – creative outlet I do well and want to improve
-Writing – how many pages I can write in a week. Match from there.
-Art – Measuring art? We’ll leave that one out.
-Guitar – Track hours per week. Match from there.
2) Exercise (health poop) – As learned by 4-Hour Body, just by being self-aware, I can better improve my health in the long run.
-“Start Pic”
-Food-tracking
-Measure weight, measurements
-Hobby Sport will be good
3) Financial (money sheisse) – All measured through one bank.
-AUTOMATION
-Cable – cancelled
-Auto – automated
-Savings – automated
-Rent – Pre-written checks
-Loan – Call for automated
-Electric – Shut down all, clear fridge, pay min 8 bucks…
4) Professional – MAKE NOTES! Not going to go crazy into it here.
5) Personal – Most important. Keep a bit of a tab on those you love.
-Write a lot. Makes sense.
How to make changes.
-Track changes.
“What gets measured gets managed.” This quote seems particularly important to someone in my circumstance—a glorified military-manager. An officer...
What do I measure? Well I guess I should start with putting together a system for that measurement—first for myself, and secondly for others to use. After all, unless it has to do with something personal—something that only I can do, like exercise—I don’t need to do all the work in my exploits, be they professional or not.
With all the signal equipment I’ll soon be in charge of, I scarcely know how my soldiers go about measuring it. But I’m not really in charge of measuring the equipment. I’m in charge of measuring them—guiding them, and managing them through my NCO’s.
So my own personal goals I’d like to manage better…
1) Writing/Art/Guitar (spirit crap) – creative outlet I do well and want to improve
-Writing – how many pages I can write in a week. Match from there.
-Art – Measuring art? We’ll leave that one out.
-Guitar – Track hours per week. Match from there.
2) Exercise (health poop) – As learned by 4-Hour Body, just by being self-aware, I can better improve my health in the long run.
-“Start Pic”
-Food-tracking
-Measure weight, measurements
-Hobby Sport will be good
3) Financial (money sheisse) – All measured through one bank.
-AUTOMATION
-Cable – cancelled
-Auto – automated
-Savings – automated
-Rent – Pre-written checks
-Loan – Call for automated
-Electric – Shut down all, clear fridge, pay min 8 bucks…
4) Professional – MAKE NOTES! Not going to go crazy into it here.
5) Personal – Most important. Keep a bit of a tab on those you love.
19 December 2010
Settled-in, Ready to Go. Now for the Holidays.
Well, it's been a crazy ride already. Today marks my first month as a resident of the wild west.
Outside of the crazy flip-flop decisions, getting my deployment preparation done, and making some much-needed additions to the house it's been relatively boring here.
Having family in town to help out was a morale-booster though and it should be cool to take advantage of being out west for Christmas and New Year's Eve... Xmas in San Diego and NYE in Vegas should be a lot of fun! Wish I could get back home, but getting the pass for that would be tough (the ticket prices don't help either).
With the holidays rolling in, it'll be even more lax as I get prepped for Kuwait and Iraq.
More to come soon.
Outside of the crazy flip-flop decisions, getting my deployment preparation done, and making some much-needed additions to the house it's been relatively boring here.
Having family in town to help out was a morale-booster though and it should be cool to take advantage of being out west for Christmas and New Year's Eve... Xmas in San Diego and NYE in Vegas should be a lot of fun! Wish I could get back home, but getting the pass for that would be tough (the ticket prices don't help either).
With the holidays rolling in, it'll be even more lax as I get prepped for Kuwait and Iraq.
More to come soon.
02 December 2010
Flip Flop Back Again.
19NOV10. That was the day everything changed. 02DEC. Today is the day everything has flipped back around again. Not going to even waste time writing it out details for now... but here's how the past two weeks have gone:
- 17NOV. Tuscon. Great college town. Stayed the night cheap at a nice hotel.
- 18NOV. Huachuca. Great scenery, drive. Checked into hotel.
- 19NOV. You're not deploying. Rear-D time as XO. Sheisse.
- 19NOV-29NOV.
- New Car
- New APT
- Electric
- Cable
- T-giving at Denny's
- Black Friday/Scavenging
- New Furniture
- New TV
- Household goods arrive
- Visit towns of Bisbee and Tombstone briefly each
- Inprocessing
- 30NOV10. V to airport. Think to self, "It's going to be boring here."
- 01DEC10. In-processing briefs. Yep, it's going to be boring.
- 02DEC10. Oh, wait no it's not....You're deploying. PL spot. You leave soon. Sheisse.
22 November 2010
Leave
Where to begin? After almost an entire month of leave has come and gone. Wish I could pretend that it was wasted and that I was somehow shorted by the time I had, but I wasn't.
I got to see my dad while home on R & R. I visited West Point to see my brother play rugby. I partied with some old friends in Philadelphia, State College, and even saw my favorite artist play a set in Richmond.
Traveling was the staple of my leave (as I guess it always is) but I also had some good absolute-lazy-useless-person time. Usually, I get uneasy at being that way, but I think it is necessary before such a big move. Leave was topped off with a trip out to the Chesapeake to visit my grandfather. Such a serene place to visit in the fall. V and I were in blissful laziness whole time.
After getting back we made our way up to Dulles and somehow made it last minute on our flight. We were extremely lucky. A tip... airports have less people and better fares on Wednesday.
The flight was mostly uneventful--save for those satisfying moments of observing us crazy humans. Where the story really starts is Tuscon, AZ. In the past four days, I life has changed more than I would have ever expected.
I got to see my dad while home on R & R. I visited West Point to see my brother play rugby. I partied with some old friends in Philadelphia, State College, and even saw my favorite artist play a set in Richmond.
Traveling was the staple of my leave (as I guess it always is) but I also had some good absolute-lazy-useless-person time. Usually, I get uneasy at being that way, but I think it is necessary before such a big move. Leave was topped off with a trip out to the Chesapeake to visit my grandfather. Such a serene place to visit in the fall. V and I were in blissful laziness whole time.
After getting back we made our way up to Dulles and somehow made it last minute on our flight. We were extremely lucky. A tip... airports have less people and better fares on Wednesday.
The flight was mostly uneventful--save for those satisfying moments of observing us crazy humans. Where the story really starts is Tuscon, AZ. In the past four days, I life has changed more than I would have ever expected.
03 October 2010
An Overview of Signal BOLC to a Friend
Today I had a fellow LT that I was in my platoon at Ft. Lewis last summer send me a Facebook message asking me for advice on Signal BOLC. Thought it would be cool to post what I answered to him on here, since I'm playing the whole "catch-up" game anyway!
HIM:
hey buddy, im trying to go signal, should get it, but was wondering if you could give me a rundown of signal bolc. how long, where you are living, weekends, anything i could study to prepare, etc. thanks
ME:
hey man, it's all pretty cool down here. i'm going to be graduating on ____________. augusta is a great "hopping off" point to visit a lot of different areas: atlanta, charleston, savannah, etc. so i've enjoyed that on the weekends. went to charleston this weekend and last weekend i went to atlanta. the airport here has connection into charlotte and atlanta as well for when you want to get out of town for the weekend.
ft. gordon is very much a growing post, so they're still lacking in being able to house all the officers while here on tdy. i spent the first two months here off post in a holiday inn and now am in a hotel on post. with that said, you'll be surprised to see how big the post is and the px, comissary, etc are all nice.
for the course work, a lot of it will go right over your head, but it's not too hard to cram it in for the tests. basically the idea is to get a good understanding of how to plan based on the capabilities of the of the equipment.
i have a lot of fun with the other lts and the overall tempo here is nothing too stressful.
the course here is 4 months long (mine was ___________), and over that time there is a very varied order between each class. i shared my google calendar for the course to your ako email. you'll need to set up a google account to access it though. if you have any questions about the acronyms on there let me know.
when it comes to studying to prepare i'll recommend you a few things, but keep in mind you'll likely be okay even if you don't study up:
-read a book from sublist 1 or sublists 2 of the the csa professional reading list OR just find a military-relevant book you're interested in. there's a very short memo book review that is turned in about a month or two in.
-there is a short memo biography required.
-there is a presentation you do on a subject of your own personal interest (they're just trying to gauge public speaking). it's about 10 minutes long. for me, i just did mine on army social media.
-there are only three "hard" parts of the course:
1) CISCO. Just google it, or look up stuff on skillport (through AKO) if you really want to be a stud. Any general knowledge will help you from being clueless. A small skill that is difficult to comprehend is how to subnet a network. Learn that early and you'll look like a genius.
2) Security +. Same as above. You can get yourself a certification while you're here if you come ready to roll with it.
3) JNN. This is the "meat and potatoes" of the actual Army side of communications. If you can understand how Joint Network Nodes and Expeditionary Signal Battalions set themselves up down range at least a little bit before you get here you will be ahead of the power curve. Check out s6.army.mil for some ideas on that.
Much of the rest of the course has no high stress tests. Just show up and do what you can to learn. There are some minor quizzes along the way, but many of them (and actually even the 3 parts i mentioned above) are open books or open notes to varying degrees.
the "hooah" stuff you do here includes:
-German Proficiency Badge - as long as you can score a 270, you can get a shiny new ornament for your blues in your free time. just google the badge. there's separate pt for those who want to go for it. i got it easily and from what i remember you're a big runner so you'll have not problem getting it.
-Combatives
-Range Qual - They breeze you through. Short day, no problem.
-Convoy Ops - I'm starting this tomorrow. It's only a two day thing so it can't be too hard.
-Signal Stakes - Can't tell you much about this yet, cuz I haven't done it, but it's the culminating event in which you go with your squad between different sites on foot and plan communications to brief to the commander.
-Radio systems - Towards the end you'll actually get some hands on (which you will be happy for due to a lot of Death By Power Point) with some of the equipment.
Any more questions, just let me know man.
HIM:
hey buddy, im trying to go signal, should get it, but was wondering if you could give me a rundown of signal bolc. how long, where you are living, weekends, anything i could study to prepare, etc. thanks
ME:
hey man, it's all pretty cool down here. i'm going to be graduating on ____________. augusta is a great "hopping off" point to visit a lot of different areas: atlanta, charleston, savannah, etc. so i've enjoyed that on the weekends. went to charleston this weekend and last weekend i went to atlanta. the airport here has connection into charlotte and atlanta as well for when you want to get out of town for the weekend.
ft. gordon is very much a growing post, so they're still lacking in being able to house all the officers while here on tdy. i spent the first two months here off post in a holiday inn and now am in a hotel on post. with that said, you'll be surprised to see how big the post is and the px, comissary, etc are all nice.
for the course work, a lot of it will go right over your head, but it's not too hard to cram it in for the tests. basically the idea is to get a good understanding of how to plan based on the capabilities of the of the equipment.
i have a lot of fun with the other lts and the overall tempo here is nothing too stressful.
the course here is 4 months long (mine was ___________), and over that time there is a very varied order between each class. i shared my google calendar for the course to your ako email. you'll need to set up a google account to access it though. if you have any questions about the acronyms on there let me know.
when it comes to studying to prepare i'll recommend you a few things, but keep in mind you'll likely be okay even if you don't study up:
-read a book from sublist 1 or sublists 2 of the the csa professional reading list OR just find a military-relevant book you're interested in. there's a very short memo book review that is turned in about a month or two in.
-there is a short memo biography required.
-there is a presentation you do on a subject of your own personal interest (they're just trying to gauge public speaking). it's about 10 minutes long. for me, i just did mine on army social media.
-there are only three "hard" parts of the course:
1) CISCO. Just google it, or look up stuff on skillport (through AKO) if you really want to be a stud. Any general knowledge will help you from being clueless. A small skill that is difficult to comprehend is how to subnet a network. Learn that early and you'll look like a genius.
2) Security +. Same as above. You can get yourself a certification while you're here if you come ready to roll with it.
3) JNN. This is the "meat and potatoes" of the actual Army side of communications. If you can understand how Joint Network Nodes and Expeditionary Signal Battalions set themselves up down range at least a little bit before you get here you will be ahead of the power curve. Check out s6.army.mil for some ideas on that.
Much of the rest of the course has no high stress tests. Just show up and do what you can to learn. There are some minor quizzes along the way, but many of them (and actually even the 3 parts i mentioned above) are open books or open notes to varying degrees.
the "hooah" stuff you do here includes:
-German Proficiency Badge - as long as you can score a 270, you can get a shiny new ornament for your blues in your free time. just google the badge. there's separate pt for those who want to go for it. i got it easily and from what i remember you're a big runner so you'll have not problem getting it.
-Combatives
-Range Qual - They breeze you through. Short day, no problem.
-Convoy Ops - I'm starting this tomorrow. It's only a two day thing so it can't be too hard.
-Signal Stakes - Can't tell you much about this yet, cuz I haven't done it, but it's the culminating event in which you go with your squad between different sites on foot and plan communications to brief to the commander.
-Radio systems - Towards the end you'll actually get some hands on (which you will be happy for due to a lot of Death By Power Point) with some of the equipment.
Any more questions, just let me know man.
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