Posted on Jun 9, 2015
4 years, 10 years, or a career Service Member: Did you have a career plan and did you stick to it?
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Was the Military always a career goal or did you have other plans? What was the deciding factor to either make it career or to move on and pursue other options?
Posted in these groups: 
Goals
Goals
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 10
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Sir, I'm at 4 years and 2 months. God willing, I will stay enlisted for 20 years and then retire as a First Sergeant. I'm sticking to my career plan, despite everyone's advice to either reclass or go Warrant.
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CW4 (Join to see)
What is your MOS? Don't knock being a Warrant Officer, lol. Its good that you have your goals set. I too wanted to make MSG like my Dad did but I made the decision to switch over to Warrant Officer after made SFC because I knew I wanted to better prepare myself and my family for retirement. Do I miss being an NCO sometimes, sure but do I love being CHIEF, yes I do. Plus I get to interact heavily with NCO's, Soldiers and Officers all consistently all while improving my skills as a technician, SME, logistician and advisor.
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SGT (Join to see)
CW4 (Join to see), thank you for replying, Sir. I'm a 94D, which is an Air Traffic Control Equipment Repairer. Our highest enlisted rank is currently Sergeant First Class (E-7). When we go Warrant, we become a 948B.
You said that you interact heavily with Soldiers, among other things. Do you get to guide and mentor them? How often do you get to interact with Soldiers and influence them? I ask because my end goal is to train and lead Soldiers.
You said that you interact heavily with Soldiers, among other things. Do you get to guide and mentor them? How often do you get to interact with Soldiers and influence them? I ask because my end goal is to train and lead Soldiers.
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CW4 (Join to see)
94D, I served as Motor SGT and Platoon SGT for A 3-58 ATS and HHC 3-58 ATS in Germany from 2005-2007, so I know a little about Air Traffic Control units, equipment and the MOS's. As for mentoring Soldiers, NCO's and Officers, until my current position at TACOM where I am the only Soldier in a group of about 88 DA civilians, I interacted heavily on an everyday basis. Starting at PT. Not many Warrant Officers are at unit level PT, but I picked various maintenance platoons to do PT with at least 3 times a week. Also, my primary job is to be a Battalion Maintenance Officer, so I lived in the motor pool with the mechanics, offering advice, training and safety mentoring on a daily basis. I physically provided formal and informal maintenance and leadership training to all levels of Soldiers form PVT-MAJ. I advised Command teams and the LTC-COL on all related concerns with maintenances, safety, environmental and logistics. That’s why I love being a Warrant Officer. I have the opportunity to interact and make positive changes across all ranks.
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Sir, the military we definitely a career goal for me, strictly because I loved it. Before I was injured I was well on track in my career. Unfortunately I was found unfit after fighting two MEB's and will be medically retiring this Friday. I am happy to be retiring, but will always be disappointed that I didn't get to finish my career and because of the MEB board was frozen from schools and promotions. The MEB was my deciding factor.
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SFC Mark Merino
Keep your head up and good luck with the retirement, brother! This is the site to go to should you run into troubles. Keep us in the loop. Regards, Uncle Mark.
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So far, Chief, I am (almost) right on track.
I knew within my first year that I was a career Soldier, and I just recently signed my Indefinite Re-Enlistment paperwork. I wanted to make SSG by time I went to my 10 year high school reunion, and I was a little late on that one, but no big deal.
The deciding factor for me to make the military a career was the sense of pride in my job and myself that I feel doing what I am doing. All the money, perks, etc. cannot replace that.
I knew within my first year that I was a career Soldier, and I just recently signed my Indefinite Re-Enlistment paperwork. I wanted to make SSG by time I went to my 10 year high school reunion, and I was a little late on that one, but no big deal.
The deciding factor for me to make the military a career was the sense of pride in my job and myself that I feel doing what I am doing. All the money, perks, etc. cannot replace that.
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CW4 (Join to see)
Great job @SSG R. Aaron Houde, good to see that you are making it a career. I've always felt even when I was a young Soldier, NCO and now a Warrant Officer that the Army is one of the best jobs on the planet. The Army will give back to you what you put into it. Keep it up and good luck towards your future.
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