Checking into a new unit or coming back to the fleet after a few years tends to trigger growing pains. This applies to anyone stepping into a staff platoon/section billet for the first time. While you’re waiting to get access to your email and finishing your check-in, here’s an extremely basic outline on what to start focusing on the first few days/weeks. It’s a basic checklist to keep track of in your green monster. Applicable to any MOS – not meant to be in depth just a starting point.
- Getting to know each Marine
- Sit down with the current platoon sergeant or SNCOIC to get a run through every single Marine in the platoon. I usually write down every single name and rank, then go down the list with someone who knows the Marines best and write down some notes besides each name.
- Find out who needs the most help, who can push the platoon to the next level, and who has the complete trust of the platoon (continue updating this as you get to know them yourself)
- Platoon billet holders (overall performance and how long they’ve held the billet)
- Section Battle Rhythm
- Figure out the weekly, monthly, quarterly, semi-annual/annual tasks that mold the platoon’s schedule
- TEEP
- Get with the S-3 and ask for a copy of the TEEP to keep with you. How does your platoon fit into the Bn/Squadron TEEP?
- POCs from each section
- If someone in the platoon doesn’t already have it, use your check-in time to get a trustworthy POC from each section you check in with – this will pay off later.
- S-shops, Bn Gunner, Supply, Armory, Ammo Tech, Unit Training SNCO, Maintenance Officer, MTO, CommO.
- Important Access to have
- MCTIMs – your training NCO should be able to handle this, but as a leader you need to know how to work it and track all training on it
- RFMSS – scope out what training areas you can use for your next op
- MOL rights – make sure you have the appropriate rights for leave and the morning report (even if there is another Sgt or SSgt who already takes care of it, redundancy in planning)
- TEAMS/Sharepoint/Shared Drive – whatever your unit relies on the most make sure you have the right link and access to the right groups/folders. Units have continued to rely on online meetings; learn from another Marine how to work TEAMS
- GCSS – although you shouldn’t be inputting service requests yourself, if your platoon has an extensive CMR, this will help you manage all the equipment statuses
- TCPT/LSR – however your unit funnels requests for transportation, figure out how it’s done and what the proper paperwork/program is needed
- Inspections
- SMAT/CGRI/FSMAO/MCCRE/Internal inspections – figure out what evaluations or inspections your unit has coming up
- Uniform inspections – for good order and discipline, keep the Marines on their toes
- JEPES
- Review JEPES with your Sgt’s or the company staff. Make sure you know what needs to be inputted when scores are due so you know what to pay attention to when you’re counseling your Marines.
- Know when all scores are due for JEPES and Fitness Reports
- Admin tracking/Priorities
- Inbound/outbound Marines
- Light/limited duty Marines
- Surgery/appointment dates
- Pregnancy due dates
- Wedding dates
- Upcoming courses (get with your training NCO)
- Annual training stats (who’s delinquent/failing scores)
- MarineNet, PFT, CFT, rifle, pistol, swim qual, MCMAP
- BCP
- PME Schools
- Legal/court dates
- Leave requests
- Birthdays
Brilliance in the basics. Fill out this outline while you observe how the section is ran before you go knee deep into turning the whole section around. Really applicable to anyone stepping into a platoon billet for the first time. If you don’t like how the section is ran and need a refresher, go visit fellow platoons within your MOS and observe what they focus on and how they track everything. I visited four different platoons before figuring out how I wanted to organize mine.
S/F
-E.L.
Expeditionary Leader 
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