Boot Camp - Recruit Leadership Question

[EHAY20]

I want a leadership position when I go to Recruit Training. I know Ill have more responsibility, pressure, ant PT... but thats ok. I am willing to work harder than everyone else and get PT more than anyone else. Its what I want though. Does anyone have any words of wisdom, advice, techniques...anything to help me?

[rvillac2]

This is an old topic..Do a search.

[EHAY20]

I apoligize. I searched several different terms but I had no luck. I went back and tried a few different searches that I didnt think of before. I have some results and Im compling the list of information as we speak

[Marine84]

Be careful what you ask for - it's not like being "left in charge" when the teacher excuses herself to go to the bathroom. Leadership roles means there will be times when YOU have to make a decision that will affect EVERYBODY - will you make the right one? How will you handle it if you fail?

[kbs95125]

Like Marine84 said but remember that you won't always make the right one and you will fail. How are you going to handle it. I'll tell you right now you are going to be miserable and want to quit that leadership position. From what I saw as being a part of GP only holding the title of Fire Team Leader while in recruit training, most people who want and/or take squad leader right off the bat end up giving up really fast... Prove you want it and earn it and it might come to you. Remember that not everybody gets a "leadership" billet, but that doesn't make you any less of a leader or an important part of the platoon. It takes a whole platoon to be successful but it only takes ONE recruit to screw everyone. With our platoon a few people who got shots at leadership posistions weren't "leader" types, but rather people who had leadership qualities but lacked the ability to harness them and utilize them right away. Once they got the leadership position they progressed, and usually were fired to give someone else the chance to do the same. Remember, the Marine Corps isn't about teaching you something like controlling a whole platoon or squad even (although they will teach you how and how to do it right), but rather small unit leadership, like Fire Teams. I held my position from the moment I got it and was someone that a few squad leaders and even our guides could and did turn to for help with the rest of the platoon, Drill Instructors knew my name before 2nd phase started and it wasn't because I was a booger recruit, but I never held these "sought after" leadership billets. Concentrate on making yourself a better person, civilian and Marine while in recruit training and embrace it for what it is and the leadership will come in some way. Remember you can't train everyone to be great leaders but leave them all in charge...

Basically you can't have too many chiefs and not enough indians.

[WalkingMan]

I want a leadership position when I go to Recruit Training. I know Ill have more responsibility, pressure, ant PT... but thats ok. I am willing to work harder than everyone else and get PT more than anyone else. Its what I want though. Does anyone have any words of wisdom, advice, techniques...anything to help me?

Just do the things you describe in this post to the best of your ability, and if you measure up in the eyes of your Drill Instructors and your Platoon Commander, responsibilities will come your way automatically.

Remember teamwork... no one can get through boot camp or survive combat on their own, and there are times when the 'leader' needs help as much as the next Grunt.

Pay attention to details, no matter how exhausted and sleep deprived you become.

[WalkingMan]

Pvt Kyle Score, you might want to update your profile details... you are still listing your Occupation as Poolee. :)

[zackmerc]

As Guide or Squad Leader, you will be IT'd more, yelled at more, sleep deprived more, stressed more, hated more, and maybe exhausted more than everyone else. However if you keep going, there will be that meritorious promotion for you at the end. It's worth it.

[LeonardLawrence]

To expound on Kbs...' comments.

If you look at military writings from ancient Greece, to World War 2 and the present you will see a common theme about leadership. That is a LEADER is a good follower.

If you find yourself in a leadership billet, great. Be the one to have the gouge, work for your troops so they can accomplish their mission. To conduct an Orchestra you have to turn your back on the spotlight....and that is what makes a good leader. We had a guide who would yell whenever the DI was around to make himself look good. Was he a leader, or was it for show?

If you find yourself in a non leadership billet, that is good too...you can still be a leader by assisting those in a leadership billet and carrying yourself as a professional.

The Marine Corps, like life, sometimes frustrates those who see people promoted who (in their opinion) should not be promoted, who are promoted out of longevity or assignment, etc. Don't let it frustrate you. A leader is a leader is a leader. Whether born or made, it is definitely a trait that is cultivated through daily leadership.

[EHAY20]

Thank you all for the advice. I am willing to accept the challenge if it is placed upon me. I will not seek it out though. I only want to help those in my platoon to succeed. I believe I can withstand the mental tests I am only worried with the physcial parts. I am in good shape but it will be tough if I am being quarterdecked for everyones actions as well as my own. We'll see what happens I guess.

[kbs95125]

The physical really ain't nothin. They make sure you are prepared for every task they put in front of you. The mental part will get to you, and it will hit you like a brick wall a few times. You will break. If you didn't then your probably at basic training NOT recruit training.

[jinelson]

Well put Private Score, very well put.

Jim

[Covey_Rider]

At the beginning of boot camp everyone wants to be the chief and only a few want to be Indians. You'll notice though that as time goes on only a handful of recruits are pushing for that spot as the chief.