Help on being the Executive Officer?

Question

Im about to be a sophmore and School starts soon, and in May i was appointed to be the new Executive Officer (XO) of my NJROTC and im gonna be the Orienteering team Commander. Could anyone give me advice on being a good XO, I really dont wanna follow our last XO's policies, because i believed she couldve done better. Also can anyone give tips on orienteering team commander. To be more specific, how can make my orienteering team the best.

Answer 1

If you noticed her flaws, don't repeat them.  To be a leader is to know yourself and seek improvement.  And when someone renders a salute to you, you are required to return it back!  And how well are you at land navigation?  Can't be a good leader if you cannot perform the duties, if not better, that your subordinates!

To conduct an outstanding land nav team, ensure that everyone understands their own pace by choosing a flat ground and a very hilly ground of 400-meters (quarter mile) and have each and everyone of them count their pace (everyone's pacing is different).  They will need to do the flat ground and then the hilly ground separate.  Time them-this ensures that they'll get a hands on feeling on how long to get to point A to point B.

And shoot azimuth at everything for practice.  Your NJROTC should be using the 1:125k UTM maps, hopefully that it is current because the Magnetic Pole moves about 15km per year!  And if you are very bright in algebraic formulas in using coordinate Geometry, you establish your bearing and distance by only using two coordinates.

Answer 2

You did not specify what you felt the previous XO did wrong in your eyes.  Did she listen to input from others?  Did she lead by example? Did she take responsibility for her actions?  There are a lot of things that could have occurred but there is not enough to say what you need to avoid.  Look at her and remember the things that she did that really got under your skin.  

Answer 3

Specific to orienteering, get a good pace count and get one after you've done some PT. If you get a count when you're fresh, you'll be off when you get tired. Second, practice shooting azimuths...a lot!! As far a being an XO, you should have a sit down with the CO and game plan together. Keep in mind the things your predecessor did, and try not to fall into the same traps. HooRah  and BRAVE RIFLES!!!

Answer 4

First of all a good XO, uses proper English grammar & spelling!

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