A Marine captain lists 10 things he wishes he knew before commanding a company

Capt. Lucas Balke writes in the September issue of the Marine Corps Gazette that there are 10 things he wishes someone had told him when he was a lieutenant. (I really like “what I’ve learned” articles, and I also am happy to highlight this article because I’ve been hard on the poor old Gazette in recent years.) Here they are:

Plan now to command a company. Start collecting PME items. Read 10 pages a day. Become an expert regarding one battle. Start constructing your “perfect” field exercise. Enable your Marines to be self-sufficient. Prepare your Marines to be dismounted infantrymen. Trust your NCOs. Be prepared to fight tomorrow’s counterinsurgency. Learn to train for free.

Tom again: What do you wish you’d known before taking your current position?