Becoming a Officer

[Pvt Schnapps]

Re: Becoming a Officer

Since the last time I weighed in on this I discovered a wonderful article by Thomas Wentworth Higginson in the September 1864 Atlantic Monthly titled "Regular and Volunteer Officers." Check it out on the Cornell MOA site: http://cdl.library.cornell.edu/cgi-b...BK2934-0014-53

Oh, and don't forget to practice your penmanship.

[Robert A Mosher]

Re: Becoming a Officer

Since the last time I weighed in on this I discovered a wonderful article by Thomas Wentworth Higginson in the September 1864 Atlantic Monthly titled "Regular and Volunteer Officers." Check it out on the Cornell MOA site: http://cdl.library.cornell.edu/cgi-b...BK2934-0014-53

Oh, and don't forget to practice your penmanship.

Schnapps -
Great article - but I just couldn't believe the next article beyond this one. Lo and behold, an 1864 article on the international conspiracy of inanimate objects! A phenomena I had previously thought to be unrecognized before the mid-20th Century!

Robert A. Mosher

[Jim of The SRR]

Re: Becoming a Officer

I believe that we are missing another aspect of becoming an officer in the reenacting world. You need to be willing to do a lot of work prior to the event to organize your company. I don't believe in showing up, having done no recruiting or pre-event work and then just being the officer at an event. It requires emails, phone calls, etc to recruit and build your company (this applies to existing units). You need to know how many people will be attending an event. Is there enough men to justify your rank? Have you assigned the proper number of NCOs for the number attending?
You also need to plan ahead how you like to run a company. Each officer does things a little different. You may use a certain drill manual, you may like to stack arms a certain way, you may run details differently, etc, etc. You need to let the men know these things prior to the event (or at least the NCOs). I call these Standing Company Orders. They will vary depending in how you like things run. Since we do not get to work together everyday, this is critical to set the tone and create some esprit-de-corps before you arrive at the event. This will safe a lot of time when you arrive and make the company appear like it has been together for some time.

Regards,
Jim Butler

[crabby]

Re: Becoming a Officer

I agree with Jim. I will add that, if done properly, it is a second job - one you really have to like, because you don't get paid for it. Granted the pay you recieve is the sense of accomplishment when it all comes together.

I did not become a company officer right after I got into this life. I spent many years learning, then becoming a good corporal, good sgt. a good Lt. and gained the respect of the fellows who I chose to look after.

Do not be in a rush.

Crabby,

Formerly
Capt. Co. A 6th OVI

Presently a very content civilian :D

[coastaltrash]

Re: Becoming a Officer

Also, be ready to field an 11 p.m. phone call from any person in your unit. It will happen, it's just a matter of time.

[Jim of The SRR]

Re: Becoming a Officer

Pat, Crabby and others on this thread can also attest that there is added organizational work once you get on site at an event. Plan on being the first one there and the last to leave an event. You may also be asked to do a walk thru of the battle scenerio or vignette prior to the event. Thus, it is then your responsibility and the other officers to help the scenario achieve its goals.

Regards,
Jim Butler

[sauguszouave]

Re: Becoming a Officer

I would like to voice a caveat about placing too much emphasis on experience. Simple experience alone is not sufficient to make a competent officer, never mind an expert officer. My favorite anecdote about the limitations of experience comes from Fredrick II of Prussia. A certain general was being recommended to Fredrick on the basis of the general’s extensive field experience. King Fredrick is supposed to have remarked, “I have mules in my army who have been on all 20 of my campaigns, but they are still mules.” Superior performance requires proper training and proper study. This is why I advocate re-enactor organizations actively engaging in officer training. Practice does not make perfect. Practice makes permanent. Bad practice makes bad habits permanent.

I’m also not so sure that ambition is a bad thing. Research on human learning seems to indicate that progress requires pushing your limits. Practicing what you already know doesn’t do you much good. Philip Ross in ”The Expert Mind” from the August 2006 issue of “Scientific American” puts it like this:

“Ericsson [Dr. K. Anders Ericsson of Florida State University, editor of “The Cambridge Handbook of Expertise and Expert Performance.”] argues that what matters is not experience per se but "effortful study," which entails continually tackling challenges that lie just beyond one's competence. That is why it is possible for enthusiasts to spend tens of thousands of hours playing chess or golf or a musical instrument without ever advancing beyond the amateur level and why a properly trained student can overtake them in a relatively short time.

“Even the novice engages in effortful study at first, which is why beginners so often improve rapidly in playing golf, say, or in driving a car. But having reached an acceptable performance--for instance, keeping up with one's golf buddies or passing a driver's exam--most people relax. Their performance then becomes automatic and therefore impervious to further improvement. In contrast, experts-in-training keep the lid of their mind's box open all the time, so that they can inspect, criticize and augment its contents and thereby approach the standard set by leaders in their fields.”

Be careful what you study and how you use your time. Inspect, criticize and augment. Push your limits. Don't become complacent and don't just go through the motions. Otherwise, you won't get any better than you are now no matter how long you do this.

Regards,

Paul Kenworthy

[Boy of '61]

Re: Becoming a Officer

I think I need to shift the theme of the thread. Thank you to all of the suggestion and advice given so far. Since I posted the original post I have read and studied the books mention in the post above. To the questions about experience and time served, I have been re-enacting for now almost ten year and have been studying the civil war for over 15 years, and I’m still learning(everyone does). This includes doing research at the National Park’s library at Gettysburg, which was an incredible experience. What I think I need to do is clarify a few things from the posts above.

The unit that I belong to isn’t run by an officer, we have a board of five members that basically run the group and the NCO staff. So basically they are responsible for the unit and problems and logistic that arises with the membership, also I understand the responsibility and time that officers have to put in an event. It should be always your men before yourself.

The board picks members from the unit that has an officer impression to be the company commander or officers for the events that an officer is required for. Don’t get me wrong, many of the men that have officers in the good have done an extremely well job and I have a lot of respect for, but it always seems like the same members are always getting the officer positions. A lot of the time these members are never seen in the ranks shouldering a musket or sometimes are never seen for most of the year but when time comes for an officer position at an event, there they are. This makes it hard for other members in the group to ever get a chance be officers and prove themselves.

So my question or advice I’m asking for from the members of AC is what would you do to improve your chances within a unit getting to be a officer sometime. I have severed on the NCO staff, preformed all my duties, attendant 90% of the events, and help on planning committees for unit events. I, myself don’t think I’m ready to sever as company commander, but would like to sever as asst. commander to learn from one of the experienced officers. Not being a member is not a option for me because this unit is the only one in my part of the country. SO, if any of this makes sense, any advice would be great. Also since my first post on this subject, I discovered that I had an ancestor who severed as a 1st Lt in the 149th PVI, fought in every major battle from Gettysburg to the end of the war, so I guest wanting to be a officer runs in the family.:wink_smil

Thanks,

Andy Miller

[Michael Comer]

Re: Becoming a Officer

I, myself don’t think I’m ready to sever as company commander, but would like to sever as asst. commander to learn from one of the experienced officers.

If you haven't done so, I would approach the members of your board and ask them and tell them exactly this.

[Rob Weaver]

Re: Becoming a Officer

Your unit has an interesting structure, that I would dare say is unique to reenacting in general. From what you're saying, it sounds like you will have a group of men who have each had their turn at leadership, and understand the concept of sharing leadership, and helping each other out. Simply voice to them that you would like a turn. It sounds like they'd be supportive.
Another thing you need to remember is you are playing with volunteers in reenacting - not men who have signed up, and are accountable to the law for their presence. If you're a jerk, they will not choose to allow you to lead them anymore.

[paulcalloway]

Re: Becoming a Officer

It sounds like part of the "requirement" in your unit is assembling the necessary kit to portray an officer before being considered. Getting authentic kit for that impression is going to take some time and considerable expense. Spend the intervening time working your way through the NCO ranks... as an officer, you'll have a better appreciate for your NCOs if you yourself have served as the orderly on occasion.

A lot of the time these members are never seen in the ranks shouldering a musket or sometimes are never seen for most of the year but when time comes for an officer position at an event, there they are.

I could name at least 10 guys like that... they are *almost all in the mainstream though. Make sure you're reenacting with the right people.

[Bob 125th NYSVI]

Re: Becoming a Officer

Well with us there are two different structures.

The organization structure (as a chartered Historical Association we have to have a Board and by-laws etc) and the military command structure.

The organization is run by people of any rank elected to their positions by the membership. This structure (with some additions) is responsible for many of the functions that officers fill in other units (example despite being a Pvt I'm the event organizer and contact).

The Military committee is commanded by our ranking officer (currently a Capt), who is elected by those military members who have attended (annually) a required minimum number of unit functions. His position is depended on being qualified to be an officer (knowing the manuals, drill, etc) and a willingness to serve. We have had different officers over the years but usually the elections are uncontested. Our 1st Sgt also has an officers "kit" (Lt.) so he can command the unit if we take the field without our Capt.

Our Sgts are all elected to their positions based on their knowledge to perform the position elected too (1st Sgt, 2nd Sgt, etc). Cpls are elected based on those people who want learn to be Sgts and have demonstrated a minimum knowledge of drill, etc. Alll Officers and NCOs are required to attend a certain number of events each year and to contune to demonstrate the knowledge appropriate to their duties and for the duties of the rank above them incase they need to fill in. We have one officer and a number of NCOs (which were reduced this year) appropriate for the number of rifles we field on average.

I think your best course of action is to approach the unit leadership, demonstrate that you have the knowledge necessary to perform the job and state that you'd like the opportunity. Kit is obviously important but I think a knowledge base would go further to advancing your cause.

[2nd Lt. Samuel Teague]

Re: Becoming a Officer

After reading most of the above posts, I can't say that I am adding anything more than my two cents, but I do have an opinion as a current officer. I have been in the hobby for 13 years and I too was very anxious to become an officer. I recieved my chance and last season was my first year as 2nd Lt. Let me tell you it was quite a daunting task. I was only 22, so much younger than the average officers in this area. That made it difficult to be heard, but that was my first lesson i'd like to pass on, 1) Do more listening than talking your first year. It will help you learn faster, rathr than arguing with those that are veterans. My second lesson was 2) pick a mentor and fellow their footsteps. I was in a situation where my CO was not as authentic as I wanted to be, so I sought out those in the know. It helped not only me, but group-to-group politics, which as others have mentioned is part of becoming an officer. My last lesson is 3) make you position clear. It is important, especially for new and young officers, to make other recognize your given rank. Don't be a jerk, but make it clear that you are what you are due to either an election or through experience. Like I said earlier, just my two cents, but now in my second season as 2nd Lt. I have found it has help to know those three things. Well, I appreciate the opportunity to post this. Hope it helps someone.
2nd Lt. Matthew Wood
26th NC co. G

[Kykeydet12]

Re: Becoming a Officer

hey guys;
I know it is seldom that I wiegh in on a subject lat all but i stumbled onto this. I may be able to provide some insight on this.

1st off you have to understand some of the rules of bieng an EFFECTIVE leader. 1st set the example as stated earlier, be honest look at the best leader you have ever met from sports, school, jrotc, boy scouts, or reenacting? was he a no brain sluggo? no he was probably fairly fit, and he set the example he had mastered his soldiering skills and drill and he was willing to share his knowledge right? to distinguish yourself as a leader ou must distiguish yourself as an exceptional soldier by having a squared away uniform and a master of soldiering skills.

2nd the general rule in the military is 2 above, and 2 below. what this means is that in a situation everyone must know the job of 2 ranks above them and 2 ranks below them. the 2 below is mostly for officers stating that they have to know how to fight and be a soldier first. 2 above means that as a corporal you must know the job of both sergeant and maybe a LT. that way if it hits the fan in combat someone can fill the spot. very important in the military command structure.

3rd; officers are expendable, the men are not. A 2nd LT cannot take on a company by himself. he needs his men. treat those under your command like your childeren or even better like your friends. you don't need to be everyones best friend you just need to be a nice and likaeable guy. remember if you fail to do your job to the full extent of your abilities or you don't do good enough to fufill your position your men and your higher-ups will scrap you like a newspaper. the men do the fighting, your job is just to control that valuable resource and redirect it to accomplish a task. that is the deffinition of leadership: the ebility to get others to accomplish a task that they would not normally do.

4th: you have to be able to make decisions under pressure. in a stressful situation alot of people crumble under pressure. they just plain fail at they're task and crumble. this is nescessary when you are engaged , or even during a training situation. you always have to be thinking of your guys.

5th : moral-ethics. as an officer your will be an officer and gentleman. you will be expected to act as such having ethics and morals will always help and actually leads back into the setting the example. the golden rule is important, officer aren't supposed to be the ones that are doing the yelling. use your NCO's they are your most valuable rescource. your need to set your expectations and let them try to carry them out.

6th : finally reward in public punish in private. no-body likes to be chewed out and if you ever have had a good square butt-chewing then you'll understand that it is embarassing so if you ever have to punish sombody pull them to the side. now since reenacting is not the military by any means then you cannot use any form of physical training( PT i.e. push-ups ) to punish it is inappropriate and unauthentic. you'll have to use the good old verbal weapon. now to get to the good part rewarding good behavior. we punish to ward off bad behavior and reward to promote good behavior. if one of your privates does a good job then give him a chance to shine and give him some responsibility. for older people this may not work so well but with teenagers and guys of a younger age this will be an excellent reward. everyone want to be recognized for a job well done, take everychance to reward good behavior because it will then spread to other people who will want they're chance to shine. putting someone on special detail, a position in the unit, even as far as just kinda taking him under your wing or leting him follow you around will be a great award for anyone.


that is all the general rules I can think of for now. remember leaders are not born they are taught. great leaders such as patton, regan, eisenhower learned leadership at a young age through sport and other activities. they weren't just born that way no one is, and if someone want to argue on this subject then I will be more than willing to defend my position with both words and fisticuffs.

[sgt sidd]

Re: Becoming a Officer

A officer is as only as good as his men, the reflection of them is he who has the rank, if they look and get well he acts well. He is they and they is he. A team. Robert S Lanier