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2005 Hogaboom Leadership Writing Contest; Honorable Mention
Some thoughts for the new battalion commander.
The parade has ended, the guests m have gone home, and the battalion m has secured. You sit at your new desk and enjoy a few quiet moments after your change of command. You 've done it-you are living your dream and have become a battalion commander. You look around the unfamiliar office and out of habit open the desk drawer. Toward the back you see a silver envelope. Curious, you pull it out and open it.
Voices welcome you to generations of history, "Welcome aboard. We are the Battalion Commanders Past. Over the years we have seen much and learned more. We would like to share some observations with you. " One at a time the Commanders Past begin to speak . . .
As you start your time and command, remember that you come into the experience with some loyalty already credited to your account. Marines want to be led, and changes of command are exciting times. Everything you do either capitalizes on or squanders the initial loyalty investment given to you by your new team. For the first few days everyone in the battalion has more experience in the battalion than you. Soon it will be "your" battalion, but only as your subordinates offer you ownership of their tiny pieces of the battalion as they give you more of their loyalty. Their loyalty-and your reputationis earned by being an approachable, reasonable, confident, and on task commander who maintains a sense of humor.
One of the hardest realizations that all new battalion commanders face is that you were selected to command the battalion, not to run it. The difference is subtle but significant. When you were a platoon or company commander, you controlled most of the factors that influenced your Marines and deadlines. Commanding a battalion is much more complex. As evidence, look to the size of the staffs that the Marine Corps provides to help you. A platoon commander has a single platoon sergeant to help him, while a battalion commander has a staff of dozens. Use the help the Marine Corps has given you and let your subordinates do their work.
This increased scope of...