Leveraging Your Marine NCOs
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Transcript of Leveraging Your Marine NCOs
– Jim “Mad Dog” Mattis (USMC, Retired)
“The most important six inches on the battlefield is between your ears.”
Concept #1
Be a Tool
The officer/enlisted dynamic can be weird.
Power DynamicsPo
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Seniority
PFC Cpl
Power DynamicsPo
wer
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2.5
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Seniority
Cpl SSgt
Power DynamicsPo
wer
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Seniority
SSgt SgtMaj
Power DynamicsPo
wer
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2.5
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Seniority
Lt SgtMaj
So what?
NCOs respond differently to this awkward reality.
Be prepared for two categories of NCOs.
Bad & Good
Bad NCOs see officers as...
or
Good NCOs see officers as...
Learn to use your NCOs, but also train them how to use you.
Concept #2
The NCO Map
You can’t treat every NCO the same.
You need to know who you’re dealing with.
Segment them and act accordingly.
Inexperienced Experienced
High Potential
Low Potential
Inexperienced Experienced
High Potential
Low Potential
Inexperienced Experienced
High Potential
Low Potential
Inexperienced Experienced
High Potential
Low Potential
Inexperienced Experienced
High Potential
Low Potential
So what’s a Lt to do?
Inexperienced Experienced
High Potential
Low Potential
Marginalize them. Company office?
Inexperienced Experienced
High Potential
Low Potential
Marginalize them. Company office?
Don’t let them poison you. Push responsibilities down.
Inexperienced Experienced
High Potential
Low Potential
Marginalize them. Company office?
Don’t let them poison you. Push responsibilities down.
Get them a mentor. Load them up with work.
Inexperienced Experienced
High Potential
Low Potential
Marginalize them. Company office?
Don’t let them poison you. Push responsibilities down.
Get them a mentor. Load them up with work.
Soak up everything. Learn about their goals.
They will perform better and so will the platoon.
Concept #3
The Good Idea Fairy
I beg you…
Resist the temptation to over communicate.
Yes, you have great ideas.
But…
Somehow the Corps won wars before you.
It will win wars after you, too.
So try to keep the suggestions to a minimum.
Your NCOs will thank you.
And when you really need to talk to them…
Use this flowchart to guide your decision.
Do I have something
critical* to say to my platoon?
*Things affecting pay, libo, or both.
No
Do I have something
critical to say to my platoon?
No
Go back to rereading Chesty Puller’s biography.
Do I have something
critical to say to my platoon?
Yes
No
Go back to rereading Chesty Puller’s biography.
Do I have something
critical to say to my platoon?
Do I have something
critical to say to my platoon?
Yes
No
Is it bad?
Go back to rereading Chesty Puller’s biography.
Do I have something
critical to say to my platoon?
Yes
No
Is it bad?
No
Go back to rereading Chesty Puller’s biography.
Yes
No
Is it bad?
No
Let your Platoon Sergeant deliver the good news.
Go back to rereading Chesty Puller’s biography.
Do I have something
critical to say to my platoon?
Yes
No
Is it bad?
No
Let your Platoon Sergeant deliver the good news.
Go back to rereading Chesty Puller’s biography.
Yes
Do I have something
critical to say to my platoon?
Do I have something
critical to say to my platoon?
Yes
No
Is it bad?
No
Let your Platoon Sergeant deliver the good news.
Go back to rereading Chesty Puller’s biography.
Yes Cleared hot!
Simple, right?
You’ll screw it up. Everyone does.
Concept #4
Knots on a String
Most of the time you don’t matter.
:*(
NCOs should be running the show.
There are times when you can make a big difference for your Marines, though.
Those are the knots on a string.
Learn to recognize them.
Here are three examples.
1) Before They Train
Reinforce the reasons for any and all training by answering the basic questions that no one bothered to answer at the lowest levels.
Where are they in training cycle? How does this connect to the larger mission? Does this mean Ann Margret’s not coming?
Give them an explanation in plain English.
Why?
Frame their pain.
– Friedrich Nietzsche
“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.”
2) During SNAFUs
Unnecessary friction can erode a unit’s morale. Stupid logistical mistakes can slow things down (weapons turn-in, anyone?).
You may not be able to change the overall situation, but you can make sure your NCOs have accurate information.
Increase their wasta by passing good word.
Why?
Show you care.*
*about stuff that matters to them
3) They Screw Up
If your Marines make a serious mistake, they will be watching you for 24-48 hours.
Your reaction - filtered through the NCOs - counts for a lot.
Don’t punish your team with hours of f*ck f*ck games. Focus on measurable outcomes for any corrective measures.
Why?
Failure can fuel success.
Those are some obvious scenarios.
The Mustangs in your class can offer many more.
Now go forth and lead!
