Juliet Company Soldiers take a break from cheering for their competitor in pugil PT to pose for a photo on 11 August 2023. (Image courtesy of author)
Continuous Learning at Juliet Company
By Captain Danielle R. Curtin
On my first day walking into the Juliet Company footprint, I enthusiastically opened a set of double doors and my eyes were immediately drawn to the iconic campaign hat of the drill sergeant behind the duty desk. Perhaps it was my now-subdued E4 muscle memory, but when that drill sergeant called, “COMPANY! ATTENTION!” we all snapped to the position. It took me a few moments to realize I was the reason for the command. Smiling at the realization, I released the group from attention purgatory with a “carry on.”
It has been eleven years since I was an Initial Entry Training (IET) Soldier, but its formative impact remains with me. It is where I became “The Iron Curtin,” made friends with whom I still stay in touch, and began liking the Army far more than I expected. I empathize with my IET Soldiers, understanding the path they have embarked upon. Moreover, I realize that for any job in the Army, while the novelty and particularity of each unit, team, and mission are difficult to fully predict beforehand, effectively learning to account for and navigate them is critical to success. For me, whose highest level of leadership was previously a squad leader, taking command has given me new knowledge and experiences facing obstacles I never had to face before. In this way, my IET Soldiers and I had even more in common while navigating the newness of Army life in this season and place. So, every time an anxious new Soldier, who knows that some reaction is in order, salutes me indoors, I reassure them that it is okay; we are all learning.
As I maneuver through new obstacles, my leadership, command team, instructors, and cadre aid me in gaining more knowledge and increasing capability. Every day at Juliet Company, I get to witness and learn from my quartermaster leaders and peers, my extraordinary team of Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps professionals, and, of course, from my paralegals in training.
Humbly learning how to wear both my “lawyer hat” and “commander hat,” while not owning a “logistics hat,” I have benefitted tremendously from the diligent mentorship my battalion commander has provided to his company commanders as our team overcame the challenges of being the only non-quartermasters in the brigade. My battalion commander and his staff give me space to make decisions but are there to answer my questions and help with any issue. They have taught me how to be a commander and how to lead with the patience and understanding that those new to the Army need.
Every day at Juliet Company, I get to witness and learn from my quartermaster leaders and peers, my extraordinary team of Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps professionals, and, of course, from my paralegals in training.
When I observe my Soldiers in class, I also get to witness my instructors shine in action. The student Soldiers conceive of scenarios that often have no answer in a book, regulation, or policy memorandum. The noncommissioned officers (NCOs) teach them, encourage questions, and incorporate their experiences into their answers. Unsurprisingly, Soldiers who chose to join the JAG Corps tend to be very bright, which can sometimes lead to overthinking. When answering questions, the NCO instructors at the Paralegal Training Center address students’ anxieties about all the unknowns waiting for them on their journeys as Soldiers and paralegals. These interactions remind me that the unknown at every stage can feel overwhelming, but being a part of the Army and JAG Corps means we are never alone when seeking answers.
The majority, if not all, of the “#1 Dad!” and “#1 Mom!” paraphernalia in my drill sergeants’ offices is not from their biological children. The time, energy, and care these drill sergeants devote to the mission make it understandable that the Soldiers would draw the comparison. My drill sergeants constantly teach me about updated Army ways (apparently, we do not mirror our formations during FM (Field Manual) 7-221 exercises anymore). The amount of energy they bring and their lack of hesitation in acting for the Soldiers’ sake are astounding. Their role is essential to the grave responsibility of ensuring the Soldiers’ well-being and safety. They are examples to the Soldiers and to me in all they do.
To accomplish all the requirements of command while leading both brand-new Soldiers and individuals with so much talent and experience, I am aided by my executive officer, first sergeant, operations NCO, and supply sergeant (the only non-272 assigned to Juliet Company), who never let me fail in all that needs to happen. I frequently ask them and my team, “What am I missing?” when weighing a decision or talking through the day’s tasks. Their input is invaluable to me, but it is also common for them to have already handled tasks I had yet to anticipate as they manage equipment, accountability, and personnel management—they even discreetly worked to fix my computer before I knew it was broken. The lesson I have taken away from working with my team is to ensure everyone around you has what they need to be excellent and that you are not standing in the way of their excellence.
Seeing the Soldiers progress and build confidence, to include pulling out Army regulations to verify policy decisions impacting them, fills me with pride in how my team has developed them. They have taught me that when in a leadership position, even the small things I do are noticed. Touchpoints, such as our weekly safety briefings or preparatory drills with students at PT every morning, have earned me mentions in their cadence and course surveys. The biggest compliment from our Soldiers is that they feel respected and cared for when we speak to them as the leadership team, simply by our approaching the conversation with warmth and consideration. I am privileged to be a part of Juliet Company and look forward eagerly to the day when my IET Soldiers become leaders and NCOs in the U.S. Army JAG Corps. TAL
CPT Curtin is the Juliet Company Commander at Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia.
Notes
1. U.S. Dep’t of Army, Field Manual 7-22, Holistic Health and Fitness (8 Oct. 2020).
2. “27” refers to the Army’s legal military occupational specialty (MOS). See U.S. Dep’t of Army, Reg. 511-1, Military Occupational Classification Structure Development and Implementation paras. 1-1, 4-13 (20 Dec. 2022). For example, officers in the JAG Corps are assigned the 27A MOS, warrant officers in the JAG Corps are assigned the 270A MOS, and enlisted Soldiers in the JAG Corps are assigned the 27D MOS. See U.S. Dep’t of Army, Reg. 27-1, Judge Advocate Legal Services para. 3-5 (24 Jan. 2017).