ARNG Company Commander Company Training Meeting Tips: Helpful Advice

If you are a company commander in the ARNG, one of your responsibilities is to
conduct a monthly company training meeting (CTM). The purpose of this CTM is to
review last month's training, future training, the company Mission Essential
Task List (METL) and to discuss any issues or concerns.

Most Army companies combine the CTM with a command and staff meeting, which
reviews administration, maintenance, personnel and supply issues. The only
thing I want to say about the command and staff meeting is that the meeting
should be separate from the CTM; even if it is held immediately after.

Your goal as the company commander is to have an effective and efficient company
training meeting. You don't want an unproductive meeting. The secret to
success is preparation.

Typically, I spent 2-4 hours, before the meeting, getting prepared. This helped
me keep all meetings less than one hour. You should consider doing the same
thing.

Here are some tips you can follow to set yourself up for success.

1. Draft an Agenda: Create an agenda ahead of time identify all requirements.
This will keep you focused.

2. Prepare: Invest a few hours of your time and prepare. You can accomplish
this the day by setting aside a few hours and reviewing your training
requirements. Get a copy of this month's operation order, last month's
After-Action-Review (AAR)and get a copy of the YTC and training schedules.

3. Notify personnel ahead of time: Since most of your key leaders have civilian
jobs, contact them as soon as possible. If possible, have the meeting at the
same hour and location every month.

4. Keep a timer: Either use your own watch or let someone else be the
designated timer. Give each part of your agenda a limit.

5. Assign a recorder or scribe: Assign someone as a scribe to keep notes.
Have a dry erase board or butcher block paper available to address issues.

6. Start On Time: Always start on time, even if people are going to
be late. This lets your followers know that you are serious and efficient.

7. Finish in One Hour or Less: Some people will disagree with what I'm about
to say, but oh well. You should always keep your meetings to one hour or less.
I've sat in some meeting marathons that lasted five or more hours. For the most
part, they were ineffective and unproductive.

8. Keep sidebar to a minimum: Don't let people rant on about things that
are not important. Some people are naturally long winded. Don't let people
ramble on and take ten minutes to say something that could be said in 10
seconds.

In conclusion, company training meetings are very important to the success of
an Army National Guard company. As the company commander, your job is to
be efficient and effective.


To learn more about company training meetings visit our website. Charles Holmes is a former company commander and author of the ebook "Part-Time Command, Full-Time Responsibility: How to Effectively Lead a Company in the Army National Guard."