Something I wish they taught me at the Career Course:

Company command is really the first time where your actions directly impact the lives and futures of soldiers. Article 15s, chapters, and especially characterization of service impact a person for the rest of their lives 1/

As a platoon leader, you have nominal authority over your assigned soldiers, but not command authority. That's a very different thing, and a deliberate decision by the Army: a lieutenant PL does not have command authority. Only the Company Commander and higher CDRs do 2/

What's command authority? Consider this: Platoon leaders do not have UCMJ authority, they can only recommend. They can't approve leave or administrative flags. Only the CO can. PLs cannot choose to chapter a soldier. They can only recommend to the command authority: the CO 3/

So what does that mean? Command isn't a stepping stone in a career, it isn't just KD time. It is a sacred trust, placing the welfare and morale of the men and women in that Company completely in your hands. Command is more than authority. It is responsibility 4/

When you consider discipline for a soldier, you can't be emotional. People tend to think punishment must be severe, send a message to the formation. But you have to remember: you are dealing with a human being. Everyone is flawed and people make mistakes. You can ruin a life 5/

Have you considered the circumstances of the case? What's going on at home? Is the soldier going through something mentally? What impact will your decision have on his family, on his future? Is this incident enough to end her potential career in the Army? 6/

I heard of a CSM who was up for CSL for a FORSCOM BN, but instead was sent to TRADOC, because of a single Article 15 when he was a junior soldier. They don't tell you that's the impact a single UCMJ case in a file can have on someone's future. They don't really explain that 7/

Characterization of a chapter is another important factor. The different between Honorable, General, and OTH is glossed over, but they don't really tell you the impact this has. An OTH makes it harder for future employment. It cuts off benefits a former soldier might need 8/

One of the biggest lessons I learned from my first command was that emotion, a desire for vengeance, cannot factor in to decisions. This is a human being, their entire future is in your hands. It's easy to circle "OTH" on a form. But the impact on the soldier echoes forever 9/

UCMJ authority isn't a cudgel. It's a tool to protect soldiers. You have to protect their rights. You have to use NJP as a tool to correct a misstep, not a hammer to destroy someone. You may want to give a "shitbag" an OTH. But do they truly deserve to have their life ruined? 10/

I wish military justice was covered with more than a 1-hour PowerPoint class. I wish they'd taught us young captains the ramifications and effects. I wish people knew before they were sitting with their first Article 15 packet in front of them just what that authority means. 11/

Every action a commander takes must be done for the betterment of the soldiers placed under their charge. Every decision has long-lasting impacts. This is a heavy weight to shoulder. But it is important and should be emphasized more at CCCs for the sake of our Army. 12/12