Twenty-six ROTC cadets from throughout the United States, including some from West Point, received words of wisdom from Maj. Gen. Vincent Brooks, commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley, June 11 at RileyAca,!a,,cs Conference Center on what to expect and how to be a good officer in todayAca,!a,,cs Army as part of the Cadet Troop Leader Training.
CTLT is an immersion program that allows cadets to learn about their chosen specialty as well as themselves. Brooks noted the first step to becoming a good officer is to learn to take responsibility and that while they are still cadets, they need to constantly seek out opportunities to exercise that responsibility.
Aca,!A"ThatAca,!a,,cs what you are in the force to do, carry responsibility,Aca,!A? Brooks said, explaining that part of that responsibility is learning to make good judgments from the start and to also get in the habit of thinking of the consequences of any decision.
Brooks said the best way to start practicing such tasks is to listen to their noncommissioned officer when they first come out of training as a lieutenant.
Aca,!A"They have experiences that you do not yet have, they carry responsibility in a different way Aca,!A| you would do well to listen to their advice,Aca,!A? Brooks said, adding that the cadets will remember that person for the rest of their lives because a special connection is formed between an officer and their Aca,!A"right arm.Aca,!A?
Cadets were also told that a good officer leads by example.
Aca,!A"Set those standards and live by them,Aca,!A? Brooks advised. Aca,!A"Lead by example, set standards and meet them. If you can do that then youAca,!a,,cll be a good lieutenant.Aca,!A?
More tips included never losing the ability to learn. Brooks said Soldiers and officers alike should always be walking up to each other and saying, Aca,!A"Teach me something. What do you have to teach me today'Aca,!A?
Brooks said asking such questions will show the NCO and Soldier that each is still willing to learn, it admits that they donAca,!a,,ct know everything and each person is interested in one anotherAca,!a,,cs knowledge.
Aca,!A"That goes a long way, and youAca,!a,,cll gain from that,Aca,!A? Brooks said, counting on each of the individuals before him to move the Army forward.
Aca,!A"What you do in your formation to bring the best out of your Soldiers for whom youAca,!a,,cre responsible so your non-commissioned officer can take care of them and take care of you. ThatAca,!a,,cs what makes us who we are,Aca,!A? he said.
Cadets also had the chance to hear from G1 Sgt. Maj. Teddy Compton, G2 Sgt. Maj. Mark Borzain, G3 Sgt. Maj. Mark Lahan and G4 Sgt. Maj. Dale Aaknes about what is they do and what cadets can expect out of each section when they come out of training.
A second round of cadets will take part in the CTLT in early August and also will have the chance to share a one on one session with Brooks on what it takes to continue making the Army and 1st Inf. Div. bigger and better with their actions as officers.
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