#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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