Candidate: OC Co, Alex

Unit: B CO 3/11th Infantry Regiment 2nd PLT

Duty Position: PSG

Dates: 22FEB2016-29FEB2016

Phase: Basic

Summary of Performance:

On 22FEB2016, I was assigned the position of Platoon Sergeant of B Company, 3rd Battalion, 11th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Platoon. I was assigned the position because of my ability to be vocally clear, concise and accurate in my statements to my peers. Throughout the week, I was consistently given a list of tasks to accomplish in a timely manner. These tasks included enforcing regulations, directives and SOPs, maintaining control of the platoon, especially during movements, accountability, PRT, counseling SLs and TLs, coordinating with Candidate 1SG and the PL, and holding myself to a high standard.

Throughout the entire week, I maintained 100% accountability of all 36 Officer Candidates in 2nd PLT. This included maintaining accountability of officer candidates and their equipment during all formations, classroom training, and movements between various locations. I accomplished this by holding Squad Leaders accountable for providing me with accountability of their Team Leaders and Squad members. Consistent with the previous PSG’s rule, “Let your leadership know where you are at all times”, I ensured all members of the PLT were accounted for. I also conducted PCC and PCI with SLs to ensure they were fully equipped for all training, pertaining to the day, and confirmed that they did similar inspections with their squad members. This confirmed that 100% accountability of personnel and equipment was maintained at all times.

Throughout the week, I worked closely with the student 1SG, PL and all other PSGs to disseminate uniform information for administrative paperwork (i.e. S1 requests for Orders, DA 1610’s, DA 31’s, etc.), any changes to equipment SOP, and for developing an SOP for the 4 mile conditioning foot march #1 (ruck march) on 26FEB. My tasks included prioritizing critical information that needed to be passed up and down the chain of command, as well as presenting instructions and details to the platoon when they were finalized. To ensure uniformity, I constantly disseminated information to each SL in a centrally located hallway, and pulled SLs into my room to show them the standards. The results were slow at first, but once I became accustomed to the routine of my tasks and responsibilities, dissemination of information began flowing quickly and efficiently.

I conducted PRT every day of the week that I was in charge. During this time, I conducted the preparatory drill, hip stability drill, shoulder stability drill, military movement drill 1, climbing drill 1, and the recovery drill. I made sure all OCs performed the drills in unison to get a proper warm up and ensured they sounded off in a motivated manner. I also tasked SLs with leading part of each day’s PRT to exercise their skills in leadership under my guidance.

Throughout my time as PSG, I understood that there was a standard in place for me to meet and exceed in terms of knowing how to conduct myself in a leadership role. During this time, I mimicked the models before me to the best of my abilities. These models include Officer Candidate Campoy, as well as some of the drill sergeants from my Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and other prior service

Officer Candidates. This included proper drill and ceremony techniques, how to write in a military style, how to conduct yourself as a leader, maintaining professionalism, how to disseminate information and tasking out OCs for duties. I counseled with OC Campoy, OC Broyles and 1LT Barnes for many extra hours during the week and weekend to ensure my success was based on the experiences of leaders who have prior service and who continue to grow in their careers in the Army profession.

After receiving my initial counseling, I counseled my SLs. Giving my SLs their initial counseling helped to ensure mine and their overall success by giving them a standard list of expectations and examples of what to do in certain situations. I counseled all of the SLs verbally on day 1 to ensure they knew what to expect. I wrote up their initial counseling papers on 22FEB2016 and had them sign it on 27FEB2016 to ensure the standards were officially documented. The SLs enforced the standards on all of their squad members and issues were resolved.

Primary Strengths:

-PT, including running, is something I enjoy and strive to improve and work in diligently – naturally, as a result, I can state the following:

-My ability to conduct PRT comes easily; also my cadence calling is strong in pacing and timing, and my drill and ceremony skills are strong developing

-Balancing a show of compassion to my peers and subordinates with a regard and respect for tasks and responsibilities as a student leader

Primary Weaknesses:

-Lack of experience with, and familiarity of, each person’s responsibilities in the chain of command, Army rules and regulations outside of the OCS SOP

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