How can I be a good platoon guide?

Question

I'm 42 and shipping to BCT in the summer (July) - For those who have been there, I think that due to my age relative to that of most of the rest of the soldiers there, I'm likely to be an early choice for Platoon Guide.

Can anyone out there give me advice on how I can be a REALLY good Platoon Guide, if that occurs? I'd like to be prepared. I've SOME experience (ROTC Basic Camp 20 years ago where I did well as a Squad Leader and 1st Sergeant in Cadet roles), but I have NO idea how that will translate - Any and all suggestions are welcome - Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

Know how to march, call commands, you have to appear squared way and square away your platoon. Make sure everyone is at the right place at the right time and in the right uniform.

Answer 2

How good is your PT? Age has absolutely nothing with being tapped for Platoon Guide whatsoever. Drill Sergeants will rotate privates in and out of that position on pure whim. Don't expect the younger kids to look upto you either, especially in the first few week before the head cases are purged from the ranks.

"Celebrate Life" is more or less dead-on with his assessment (those of you whose military service may have been in the time of he Caesars either can't remember a damn thing or somehow slept through your indoc training). Platoon Guide has no relevance to a successful military career whatsoever.

You can throw all your ROTC experience and such out the window. Just be very up on your PT (no one respects someone who is far less physically fit or does not cut an imposing appearance) and ensure that everyone is in the correct uniform in the correct place at the correct time, and you will do fine. That is the sum of your responsibilities. If you get talked back to (and someone may try to swing at you) then good luck dealing with that.

For the record: Platoon Guide is, even by the standards of the Army, a truly thankless and unrewarding job.

Answer 3

DS can do some strange things. They might pick the most incompetent person, who maybe just learned english.

In basic my platoon had 4-5 PGs. The DS would get pissed and pick another, almost at random. Same with squad leaders. One PG most disliked acted stuck up, was a lil rat on stupid matters, had no attention to detail, didn't know D&C for sh!t.

PG isn't such a great position, no one really wants to listen to you, everyone will hate you when you f*ck up. 90% of the platoon will think they can do a better job. If you got yourself right, and tell everyone to get themselves right, someone will f*ck up and it will come down most on you.

I wasn't PG or squad leader. I did my sh!t tried my best not to f*ck nothing up and had a good time in basic. I also volunteered for like EVERY detail. I got to go and chill away from DS alot because of it too.

Answer 4

Your age doesn't place you as PG as surely as you think. Just don't do anything too well or too poorly. And remember, the DI knows what he's going to do before he walks into the room; it's never a random decision.

If you're PG, just remember that you have no real authority. Due to your age, the young guys will naturally look to you for guidance.

Answer 5

Pg Army

Answer 6

Your age alone will allow you to be a leader either in the forefront (Plt. Guide) or indirectly, those kids will be looking up to you.

Answer 7

I just have to say, that's pretty great that you enlisted at 42.

I'm impressed!

Best of luck to you.

Answer 8

lead by example

never let them see you sweat

don't be a tyrant

Answer 9

just make sure you know what your doing.and be a leader.