The first thing you need to understand is why the Army has decided to make you an officer. At the most basic level, being an officer is about *judgement*. We can hire anyone who can read the reg and adhere thereto rigidly. What the Army needs is leaders who can ... 2/

...understand the environment, higher intent, and then adapt and make the right decision when regs/ guidance are in conflict or when their isn't clear guidance in a complex environment. 3/

Second, let's talk about risk. Part of of your job as an officer, and especially when you become a commander, is to balance risk - risk to mission and risk to force. Sometimes mitigating one means assuming more of the other. Sometimes they overlap. 4/