| Serving as a Detachment commander is a unique, | | | | Commander and Detachment Sergeant, respectively. |
| challenging experience. In the Army National Guard, | | | | In most cases, the Detachment Commander is a |
| some units are organized as Detachments. | | | | senior First Lieutenant or junior Captain. He or she is |
| According to Wikipedia, "a detachment is a military | | | | responsible for the unit property, payroll, and |
| unit. It can either be detached from a large unit for a | | | | readiness of the unit, just like a Company |
| specific function or be a permanent unit smaller than | | | | Commander. One of the biggest issues for |
| a battalion. The term is often used to refer to a unit | | | | Detachment Commanders is managing their people. |
| that is assigned to a different base than its parent | | | | Since their soldiers are spread across numerous |
| unit (paraphrased)." | | | | locations, communication challenges arise. Also, it's |
| Most Army National Guard detachments are | | | | hard to schedule training and get everyone together |
| disseminated in 2, 3 or 4 different locations. For | | | | at one location. |
| instance, one platoon or section could be located 50 | | | | Although the Detachment Commander position |
| miles away from another platoon. And, the second | | | | presents certain challenges, it is an important job. |
| section could be 75 miles from the third section. | | | | Leading soldiers is a huge responsibility. And, it doesn't |
| Normally, each section would have a Non | | | | matter what your title is. Whether you are a |
| Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) and Officer | | | | company commander, troop commander or |
| in Charge (OIC). The OIC and NCOIC would supervise | | | | detachment commander, you still have the |
| their soldiers and lead section training. Also, the OIC | | | | responsibility to lead from the front and set a strong |
| and NCOIC would work for the Detachment | | | | personal example. Don't ever forget that. |