Posted on Mar 4, 2021
SPC Intelligence Analyst
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I'm new to my first duty station as a 35F. I've been AD for 10 months, and am gearing up to be promoted to PFC. I strive to be the best at everything I do(junior enlisted in this case). I am hoping to receive advice from other soldiers on what constitutes a great junior enlisted in their experience. Thank you in advance!
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SMSgt Thor Merich
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Find a mentor. Find a squared away PFC or SPC and do what they do. Stay away from the E-4 mafia types.

First of all, don’t be in a hurry. Learn your job. Be the best that you can be at your level. After you have mastered that, learn your NCO’s job.

Stay humble and get educated. Take advantage of any education opportunities and get a degree.

Keep the drinking under control. And most important, don’t do stupid stuff.
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SPC Intelligence Analyst
SPC (Join to see)
3 y
Thank you SMSgt!
That is some great advice. I rarely think about having a fellow junior enlisted as a mentor, but I can think of multiple that I have a lot of respect for, and even strive to be like. I will look forward to taking advantage of schools that will help me become proficient in my job, per your advice. I'm currently working on my Associate's degree, and my eventual goal is to earn a Master's. Thanks again for taking time out of your day to respond.
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Sgt Field Radio Operator
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SPC (Join to see) You have excellent advice from SMSgt Thor Merich and SFC Stephen Hurst. I will add this:

Be a planner, set goals, and then execute those plans. Have a backup plan in case you need to make a course change.

Live beneath your means, save as much money as you can, utilize savings/retirement plans, and learn investing. You will need money for cars, homes, families, vacations, retirement, etc.

Good luck on achieving your goals!

https://www.investor.gov/
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SPC Intelligence Analyst
SPC (Join to see)
3 y
Thank you, sergeant!
Personal finance is definitely something I want to master. I will look into the posted link. When setting goals, do you prefer to have both short term or long term goals, or long term goals with action steps on how to achieve said goals?
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Sgt Field Radio Operator
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SPC (Join to see) - You will have both short term and long term goals. In 1971, I decided that my long term goal was to work on the Space Program. Prior to discharge, I did research and determined that I needed to have a degree. I decided where I would live in the Houston area while I found a job and started college. I made sure that my car was in good condition with new tires for the trip from MCB 29 Palms to Pasadena, Texas. Once I arrived in Pasadena, I searched for an apartment while looking for work. I did my research and decided to apply for a high paying job as an operator at the Diamond Shamrock chemical plant. I worked shift work (42 hours a week) while I went to college full time. I was in school, at work, studying or sleeping. I had little time for anything else. There were 100 people interviewed for two job openings. I landed the job because I had researched the company and was prepared for the three interviews that I had along with a bunch of written tests.

After five and a half years, I had my degree, and started work on the Space Shuttle program. I was making excellent money as an operator and took a pay cut to start a new job in a different career field. I stayed with the program for 33 years until the last Space Shuttle mission had been completed.

Any success that I have had is due to making plans and setting goals. Along the way, you will need to make revisions to your plans and goals. As we all do, I have made mistakes and try my best not to make the same mistake twice.
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Wayne Soares
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Thanks for the question Travis
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