Command and General Staff College CSM talks to Staff Group 19A

On 18 September 2009, CSM Johndrow, the Command and General Staff College Command Sergeant Major, spoke to the officers of Staff Group 19A, in answer to the group's invitation. He spoke on multiple topics, but the central theme was clearly on the Soldier, which was a welcome refresher in a curriculum of strategy, force management, and organizational-level leadership. CSM Johndrow's comments to the class demonstrated the importance for non-commissioned officer involvement in an officer's professional military education; the relationship between officer and non-commissioned officer counterparts is essential in our units and needs to be mirrored in the classroom.

His easy conversational style and approachable demeanor helped to convey the important take aways from his time in our classroom:

- Trust and transparency are essential, especially to tear down the stereotypical wall between officer and non-commissioned officer "business". Officers must trust their NCOs to handle issues at their levels while NCOs need to keep their officers informed of the basics.

- Let those high-speed NCOs go from the S3 shop after they've received professional development and have contributed to the battalion after a while. It's not healthy to keep that NCO that knows land and ammunition so well chained to his desk; get him back out there in a platoon.

- Rear Detachment is an essential command. If it doesn't hurt to nominate and let that officer and NCO go to be the rear commander and sergeant major then they aren't the right choice.- a mirror is the most important piece of furniture in your home, not simply for your physical appearance, but for the personal reflection it provides. Look yourself in the eye.

- Need for a personal relationship between the S3, XO, and CSM in the battalion, again based on trust.

We were honored to have him speak with us and if this constitutes the "wrap-around" following a guest speaker, then Staff Group 19A strongly agrees that he contributed to the curriculum for adaptive and agile leaders and hopes that more groups bring him into their classrooms.

For more information on CSM Phil Johndrow go to: http://www.cgsc.edu/leadership.asp

MAJ Tim Gallagher

US Army, LG

CGSC SG19A