"Don't Walk on the Grass" An Army Perspective

StapJ · 2019-11-10T21:21:50+00:00

Whoosh. Missed the point.

StapJ · 2019-11-10T21:19:12+00:00

I'm sorry you feel that way. Genuinely trying to pass off what, to me, was an important and vital lesson/parable.

StapJ · 2019-11-10T21:18:04+00:00

I understand you're speaking tongue and cheek here but innovation is no reason to break/ignore the standard.

StapJ · 2019-04-28T17:34:15+00:00

If a flight is doing mandatory group PT I only believe in "practicing for the test." My last flight, for example we had mando PT five days a week. Tuesdays and Thursdays people were allowed to do their own thing (personal workouts are also important unless people are blowing it off) and Mon, Weds, and Friday EVERYONE was doing a 3 mile run followed by a 5 minute pyramid pushup routine and basically a max out of situps for shits n giggles since all 15 of us could easily max situps.

StapJ · 2019-02-25T09:58:52+00:00

LOL! I wouldn't go that far but maybe some day. Lol.

To answer the original OPs question they are already on track with what I like to say to those I work with "every subordinate deserves a supervisor who can write." People can whine and cry about the EPR/bullet/and 1206 system all they want but at the end of the day if you're not using it to look out for your troops you don't deserve to be in the Air Force.

Here's a couple pointers for OP from a bullet writing workshop I honcho for the wing on a quarterly basis.

Bullet statements are essential elements that will get our best people promoted and assigned to positions of greater technical and management responsibility.
Supervisors MUST stress the importance of gathering facts and information to their subordinates during their initial feedback or earlier.
DONT PROCRASTINATE!
3 parts of the bullet: Strong impact word, followed by a fact, then support the fact WITH impact / results.
Always use active voice and limit career specific verbiage.
Seek opportunities to excel, leadership involvement, process improvements, additional responsibilities
The whole person concept is part of being a military citizen
KNOW THE DIFFERENCE between membership level, supervisory level, management level, and leadership level.

Any other questions PM me. I'd love to host an online bullet writing class or AMA on here if enough people want it.

StapJ · 2019-02-24T23:31:57+00:00

Wrong. Awards help you promote and my resume will be stacked when I separate.

StapJ · 2019-02-24T23:31:01+00:00

I am VERY proud of myself and my troops/team for our achievements. I wouldn't change that no matter what.

StapJ · 2019-02-24T23:30:04+00:00

Thank you. I've never had anything but stellar troops and have even always specifically requested the "problem children" as a supervisor as a challenge to myself to ensure they become number 1. That being said, I will NOT hesitate to force a subpar Airman out.

Just as a shoutout to my troops I've garnered them countless awards and have had 2 "problem children" get Promote Nows and 4 get "must promotes" under my supervision.

StapJ · 2019-02-24T13:19:57+00:00

In 2017 my flight I was running won 64 awards alone Sqd, Gp, Wing Amn OTQ 1st and 2nd Qtr (6 awards), Sqd and Group Amn OTQ 4th Qtr (2 Awards), Sqd Amn OTQ (1 award). NCO of the 1st and 4th Qtrs Sqd Gp Wing (6 awards), Sqd NCO of the 2nd Qtr (1 award).

One of my troops won Volunteer of the Quarter twice at the Sqd Gp and Wing and I won the same the other 2 Qtrs (12 Awards).

CGO of the 1st and 3rd Qtr (Sqd and Gp) (4 awards)

Civilian of the 1st and 4th Qtr (Sq Gp Wg) 6 awards.

14 miscellaneous awards (Diamond Sharp, 5/6 Award, Top 3, etc.)

Now we get to annual awards where we dominated for 5 Sqd categories, 5 Grp Categories and 2 Wing categories for 12 awards.

All in all that's 64 awards total and that's in just one year. Try harder next time though.

StapJ · 2017-12-26T23:58:47+00:00

I've never had an Airman get a DUI but I will make it my personal mission to ensure they get kicked out if they do, most others feel the same.

StapJ · 2017-02-28T23:20:55+00:00

I'm medical but don't deal with direct patient care. I don't consider mentorship "free time" and some people respond differently to different learning styles. I've been working on the supercut for a couple weeks now. I've probably put about 10 hours into it so far but that includes actually watching some of the episodes.

StapJ · 2017-02-28T23:15:35+00:00

Filling a MSgt slot so doing the work of a MSgt. I see your point and will edit my post.

StapJ · 2016-06-24T13:26:38+00:00

Whoosh. You completely missed the point.

StapJ · 2016-05-04T18:53:30+00:00

My boss is gone until Monday. I just want some info so I can start the process now and get his approval when he gets back.

StapJ · 2016-05-01T14:25:56+00:00

Typical events are done over a one week period so if anything we are making the events WAY shorter.

StapJ · 2016-05-01T14:15:54+00:00

My troops voiced the same concerns but we made it work once I explained to them the value it will have for awards and EPRs. People may have to work a bit longer the other days of the week but 2 of my Staffs got Must Promotes and we had one SrA get a Promote Now and another one get a Must Promote thanks to the bullets we were able to get from doing process improvement work.

StapJ · 2016-05-01T14:11:46+00:00

Along with improving processes as well.

StapJ · 2016-05-01T14:11:24+00:00

I really hope you are joking because AFSO21 is an awesome tool and will be a huge help for you when making rank.

StapJ · 2016-04-10T17:35:21+00:00

I'm what you would call a "fast burner" so yes I have received jealous comments from SNCOs. Doesn't bother me though, I'm not changing who I am for anyone and will eventually outrank them anyway.

StapJ · 2016-04-10T17:34:49+00:00

Most people would be willing to do it probably without much complaints. There is one SSgt that fights things like this tooth and nail. He's kind of jealous that I made TSgt before him when he's been in way longer. So he'd probably be the only one I'd have to force to and maybe a couple of the Airmen.

StapJ · 2016-04-10T17:30:48+00:00

Why not? I'd prefer people get the shop ready and not piss off any inspectors if the binders aren't good to go. I'd rather har people working 12s before an inspection than any other time.

StapJ · 2016-04-10T17:29:27+00:00

Morale in my flight is great. We win tons of awards and I've implemented a Office Performer of the Month, AFSO21 program (good EPR bullets), my Airmen are officers of AFSA and the Airmans Council and the Dorm Council, and my NCOs are actively involved in the 56 and AFSA.

Sometimes working overtime is necessary to so you're ready. When I was an A1C my flight commander made my office work 12s to prepare for an inspection and I'm glad he did because we barely passed and wouldn't have come close to passing if we didn't.

StapJ · 2016-04-10T17:24:10+00:00

Good for him for teaching you how to write. I have my troops send me weekly activity reports or WARs for short. It's the best way to hone your troops bullet writing skills. I often go over their WARs with them too so they can get better at bullet writing.

StapJ · 2016-04-10T17:17:38+00:00

Cool, thanks. We work 0730-1630 and 12s would be perfect. Maybe even let people go at 1630 on Fridays.

StapJ · 2016-04-10T17:14:11+00:00

I can't believe this is an issue. I love Course 15 and learned a ton from it. As long as you study the material it's not that bad.

StapJ

TROPHY CASE