For the full background on what is going, read my previous blog entry.
Here's the update:
I spoke with my Brigade CSM before I talked to my S-3 or S-3 SGM. I went to him first for a reason, because if I went to the others first and asked permission, and they said ok, but the CSM said no, it was pointless. If I spoke to him first, got his approval, he could help me get approval from the S-3 and SGM. CSM said that I had actually thought it out quite well, asked me how it would affect home, and I explained it would be a little bit more beneficial because I would be able to save the money, and let the Army pay to fly me home on leave, thus allowing me to better enjoy the time with my kids and try to do something really special with the time. Even if it is just renting a cabin in the woods for a week or taking them fishing, the stuff that they and I will remember for our lives. That and if I go back stateside for 9 months, and deploy, it would probably be worse on us all than if I stayed here for a year. He nodded his head, and said he had not thought of that, but he agreed with me on that one.
He asked if I wanted to leave S-3 or just get the leadership, get my hands on Soldiers? I told him I would hate to leave S-3 because we are like a family, we all know what is happening in each others lives, it's hard to keep secrets, and we all lean on each other, but I felt that if I could take and put into practice what I have learned from those NCOs and even the Officers, I would be more beneficial the Army. Plus, I feel that I would do more good in training Soldiers than working with Contractors. He smiled, he has this smile that is infectious. If he is happy, and you know if he is, everyone can tell. He told me he would be upset if I didn't pursue it. He had already talked to the Company Commander up there, (the CO had called him already and backbriefed him) and he was just waiting to see if I decided I wanted it, and if I took the initiative to come talk to him.
Not even the position is set in stone yet, but the wheels are in motion. Even if I do not get the OSP/Cable Team position, and just got the site, it would be well worth it. It's a chance for me to affect change in Soldiers. I can take the things I have learned, and apply them. Another good benefit....I will have better job satisfaction. At the end of the day, I'll have something to show for it.
Next steps, get me deleted from my assignment to Ft Hood (assured that would be no problem), get me assigned to the Battalion and the Company. The CSM said that should not be a problem, as long as I got the S-3 and SGM approval. Well, the S-3 was no problem. I knocked on his door, asked for 2 minutes, and 2.5 minutes later walked out with a thumbs up. (Found out the Commander had already called him as well.) S-3 SGM was harder to convince, but he just wanted to make sure I was prepared for the worst. What if it is not a lack of leadership ability that I am replacing, but a lack of leadership freedom I am being foreced into. I assured him that I had considered that, but that I was wiling to take that risk. He said they couldn't pull me back if I was unhappy, and I advised I prepared for it. Prepare for the worst, plan for the best.
Then he asked me a question that the CSM had asked me. How would my personal issues affect me as a leader? I told him my issues would be transparent to my Soldiers, I can put things to the side long enough until I am able to A. Deal with them, or B talk to someone else that can help me deal with them. I can complain up and sideways, but never down. He gave me a thumbs up. I have had one NCO tell me to wait on this, but when he found out that I already have 4 NCOERs, he said go for it. He agreed though, that leadership positions are hard to come by in our unit, and go for it.
Besides, as the CSM said, I only get 30 days of leave a year.
So now I have to talk to the BN CSM, extend for a year, and go from there. Oh yeah, and I only have a week to do this in. The BDE CSM has his ceremony to appoint the new CSM next week. I have asked to be here for at least 3 weeks, lets me ensure my continuity of operations, finish up with legal, and get what I need in place to get my junk moved.
Wish me luck.
The Army is not my life, but while I am in, I might as well try to help those that I can as much as possible. If I can make the difference in one Soldier's life, then I have done my duty as a NCO.
