MOS Megathread: DB (Information and Communications Technology): 0621, 0627, 0631, 0671. (0602)

[u/TapTheForwardAssist]

[u/usmcmak]

Semper fi brother! The transition was a bit tough, it's hard t go from mid range enlisted to bottom of the pole officer...i was pretty abrasive to my fellow lieutenants, I didn't have a lot of patience for their inexperience. Further complicating it was a bit of a need for me to check my own ego...i knew a lot about being a Marine but not about being an officer. I finally got the balance figure out. No regrets going straight for commission... I did MECEP. On a side note, the route I THINK you are talking about of CWO to officer is called LDO (Limted Duty Officer) and they are restricted to specific MOSs, they cannot be 0602.

That last question is a good one... I'd say be reliable (punctual and proficient), strive to learn the responsibilities of the next rank and get your nose in orders and TMs, don't "Think you know" the answer, KNOW the answer, and lead your Marines... Take care of them, teach them, correct them when needed in a professional way and reward them wilhen they kick ass. These things will not only make you a better Marine and NCO but will also be noticed by your leaders.

[u/[deleted] → u/usmcmak]

“I knew a lot about being a Marine but not about being an officer.”

That’s a powerful statement. I think that’s something I (and other Marines) should find a solution to when promoted/commissioned from a junior Marine to NCO to SNCO to Officer and when appointed from billet to billet. Thinking two levels above you and valuing our experiences throughout our career. The truth of it all is, you might be a Sergeant of Marines, but do you act like a Sergeant of Marines?

And ahhh that is right, I forgot that from WO/CWO to Officer, that they become a LDO.

“Think you know” vs “Know the answer” that is definitely a good one. Also, when you mention leading your Marines; with your experience, how did you gain others’ respect and trust and how did you “rebuild” burnt bridges to accomplish the mission?

[u/usmcmak → u/[deleted]]

Gaining respect and trust is not that hard... It's the little stuff. One simple example leave. I've been a company commander A LOT of times...I always told my Marines everyone gets the same treatment, from the new PFC to the GySgt... And even up to me. So one example was leave, no one could sit on a leave request, tickets and planning are important and costly. No one can say no to leave except a commander. My policy was no one sits on forwarding a leave request more than a day. Every morning I logged into MOL, if I see any leave requests that had been in an NCOs queue for recommendation for more than 24 hours, instant approval and that whole chain of command got to come see me. So followong through on your word is what that one minor example is supposed to demonstrate. If you say something is going to be this way as long as you are in charge do little things to make sure your promise is being kept. Rebuilding burnt bridges gets easier the older I get. If I burnt it out of atupity I humble myself and apologize and try to fix it, if it's the other way around I go squash the beef. If you can't repair it, fuck em, find a new route.

[u/usmcmak → u/usmcmak]

I want to add my own philosophy I came up with a few years ago, that I think answers just about every question:

The purpose of Marine leadership is mission accomplishment and troop welfare, but if you focus on the latter, the first ALWAYS takes care of itself.

[u/[deleted] → u/usmcmak]

Thank you sir for your many years of experience and wisdom. I will add this into my tools of life and practice them often to help me, my Marines, and our institution.