Page 55 - MERCIAN Eagle 2021

Experiences and challenges of being a new platoon Sgt
I promoted to Sergeant in early June 2021. With the battalion not long returning from a deployment on
Ex ASKARI STORM, the battle rhythm at Battalion was calm, giving me a chance to bed in and learn the ropes in an ideal environment. With that being said, it was still a shock to the system as my previous roles were in the Intelligence Cell and Reconnaissance Platoon. This was my first time working with junior Private soldiers and dealing with the challenges of day to day life and maintaining their ability to deploy from camp.
The first real test for myself was LFTT and conducting the much wider range of responsibilities I now had
in comparison to the past, when as
a Corporal, my sole focus had been the performance of my section on ranges. I now found myself facilitating feeding, transport, accommodation, and the general welfare of a Platoon. I also contributed to the daily Battalion briefings, which was my first insight to how much work goes on at the upper echelons to facilitate efficient training. The two weeks culminated in a night Platoon attack which I enjoyed despite no longer crawling through the mud from a last bound position towards a figure 12, but at the rear with a view
of the wider battle whilst ensuring the platoon commander and his section commanders had what they needed to achieve their aims.
My advice to people preparing to make the step up to Senior NCO and those that are newly in role is to focus on building a relationship with your Junior NCO’s and Platoon commander. I found initially that I had the urge to
try and do everything G4 related for the platoon myself. Things became
a lot less hectic when I gave more responsibility to my LCpls who proved
more than capable for many delegated tasks. Not only did this make things run smoother within the Platoon, it was also an opportunity to learn my JNCO’s strengths and weaknesses which
can be used on MPARS/SJARS and provide good guidance and keep them on track for a healthy career path.
The most important relationship is the one with the Platoon Commander. It’s my job as the most senior soldier to guide, advise and facilitate the platoon
commander’s plan and to put him in the best position possible to put his stamp on the Platoon and achieve success. The help is reciprocated however, the platoon commander has helped me to navigate the intranet and daily use of computer technology that comes with responsibilities of
a Platoon Sergeant in which Brecon doesn’t prepare you for on PSBC.
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THE MERCIAN EAGLE
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