#2--Connor O'Brien

Controversy & Clarity

In this episode, we discuss:

*Connor's time with Marine Security Forces

*Corporals Course

*Serving in 1/7 as a squad leader and overcoming the stigma of Security Forces NCOs

*The Advanced Infantry Marine Course

*Connor’s deployment to Darwin, Australia

*Keeping Marines in a forward-deployed mindset

*What excited Connor most about being a squad leader

*What concerned him most

*Some of the mistakes he’s made as a squad leader

*The atmosphere and culture he tried to create in his first squad

*The training and PME programs he implemented

*Balancing the demands of bureaucracy with preparing Marines for combat

*Connor’s expectations for his junior Marines, fire team leaders, fellow squad leaders, platoon sergeant, platoon commander, and company commander

*What makes an ideal squad leader

*Balancing one's personal life with dedication to the profession of arms

*What makes a squad leader from hell

*The most important thing squad leaders do besides leading Marines in combat and preparing them for it

*Connor’s experiences as a platoon sergeant in 1/8

*The one thing Connor would have liked to have known about his platoon before becoming its platoon sergeant

*The current culture and atmosphere in 1/8

*Connor’s philosophy of leadership and how it’s evolved

*His thoughts on TDGs and their facilitation

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