Officer Business

Officer Academy 3

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Training Objective• Task: Understand the nature of

cadet officer business for commanders and staff officers

• Condition: Given A Guide for the Leader Development Program, ATTP 5-0.1, and a block of instruction in a classroom environment

• Standard: As part of a group discussion, correctly identify the general responsibilities of an officer in various scenarios

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Officer Business• According to the LDP, the

outcome for the firstclass year is “command capable”

• As cadet officers you will operate within the guidance and regulations established by the Commandant and your TAC, and with the help, advice, and assistance of cadet NCOs, to accomplish the unit mission

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What an Officer Does• Commands

– Based on guidance from the Commandant, establishes policy, plans, and programs that direct the work of the SCCC

• Concentrates on collective training which will enable the unit to accomplish its mission

• Is primarily involved with unit operations, training, and related activities• Concentrates on unit effectiveness and unit readiness• Pays particular attention to the standards of performance, training, and

professional development of officers as well as NCOs• Creates conditions– makes the time and other resources available– so

the NCO can do the job• Supports the NCO

What an Officer Does

• These responsibilities occur more naturally in a military unit that has a collective mission such as attack or defend– How does this translate to The Citadel?

• What are collective (or unit) missions for cadet companies and platoons?

• What is a Citadel company’s METL?

• It might also be easier in the military for an officer to support the NCO by providing training time, equipment, and professional development opportunities– How can a cadet officer support a cadet NCO?

Command

• The art of command is the creative and skillful exercise of authority through timely decision-making and leadership.– Obviously command requires both science and

art, but why is the emphasis here on the art of command?• What are examples of a cadet commander displaying

the art of command?

Authority

• “Authority” refers to the right and power to judge, act, or command– It includes responsibility, accountability, and

delegation• What authority does a cadet commander have? A cadet

platoon leader?• What is responsibility in the context of authority?• What is accountability in the CTM sense?• What factors does a commander consider when she

delegates some of her authority? Can she also delegate her responsibility?

Decision-making• Decision-making refers to selecting the course of action

that is the one most favorable to accomplishing the mission– What are typical objective and subjective criteria that a cadet

commander must consider when determining what is “most favorable?”

• Decision-making includes understanding the consequences associated with deciding– Cadet commanders do not have to consider the consequences

associated with national security or human life that military commanders do, but cadet commanders face their own unique consequences. What are some of them and how should they factor into the decision-making process?

Leadership

• Leaders in command positions use commander’s intent to link purpose with conditions that define the desired end state

• The intent can change as planning progresses and more information becomes available

• The intent statement should be short and able to be understood two levels down

Commander’s Intent

• What might be a commander’s intent for:– Cadre period– Company academic performance for a semester– An intramural season– A SMI preparation and actual inspection– A morning PT session– The conduct of daily formations

Command and Control

• Command is personal– An individual– not an

institution or group– commands

• Command provides the basis for control– Staffs provide much of

the control functionThis painting is called “The Loneliness of Command.” Why is command sometimes lonely? How can staff officers help in such situations?

Control• Staffs coordinate,

synchronize, and integrate actions, keep the commander informed, and exercise control for the commander

• Control is more science than art– The science of control

includes detailed systems and procedures to improve the commander’s understanding The phase lines, support by fire

positions, and boundaries on this overlay are called “control measures.” How do such things help a military staff control an attack?

Control• Control relies on objectivity,

facts, empirical methods, and analysis.– Control demands

understanding those aspects of operations that can be analyzed and measured

– Control requires a realistic appreciation for time-distance factors and the time required to initiate certain actions

• Some pieces of data available to help cadet staff officers control are:– Class absence reports– Diagnostic CPFT scores– Mid-term GPAs– Suitability board reports

• What are others and how would they be used?

• What is other data a staff officer would need to collect that might not be available in such handy reports?

Control

• How does the company athletic officer help the commander control the company’s physical effectiveness METL task?

• How does the company academic officer help the commander control the company’s academic METL task?

• How does the HAO control in his functional area?• Honor rep?• Executive officer?

Conclusion

• As either a commander or staff officer, what will be different from your NCO experience in terms of:– Skills required– Perspective– Leadership style

• Next lesson will go into detail about the specific officer duty positions and will be taught in the company classroom by your company TAC.