Any good army, or even personal advice for the day? Always looking to be better?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 20:54:19 -0400

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jul 3 at 2017 9:06 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 21:06:20 -0400

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member: As a Squad Leader: I learned more extensively about (1) Compassion (2) Responsibility (3) Professionalism and (4) Good Leadership Skills.
Many prayers for you, Private First Class; and, Good Luck.
Sleep well tonight.
-Margaret C. Higgins U.S. Army Retired: Coach/Photographer

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jul 3 at 2017 9:07 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 21:07:34 -0400

A good leader is a teacher. A good teacher is a leader

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2017 9:27 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 21:27:54 -0400

Don't drink too much or don't drink it all. It's pretty sad when you see a master sergeant at a command directed Alcoholics Anonymous meeting on base. The Army talks about responsible drinking but the best thing to do is not drink at all. That also applies to smoking. I know I'm preaching to the choir but you're asking for advice yet I see many ncos smoke and I'm glad though that they are having a alcohol-free Grog at the dining outs now. Too many alcoholics on my wife's side of the family.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2017 9:30 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 21:30:07 -0400

Do the PT test on your own once a week and you can maintain or work up to that 300 score. And basic training I was only able to get up to like 260 points. I was in the National Guard but within a year I was maxing it out. I was always a good runner so it was just a push-ups and sit-ups that I needed to work on. Just my two cents. I wasn't the brightest Soldier or officer but it did get me noticed and I was always the top of the order of Merit list.

Response by MSgt Jason McClish made Jul 3 at 2017 9:45 PM

MSgt Jason McClish — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 21:45:56 -0400

Listen not to give a response, but to understand.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jul 3 at 2017 10:32 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 22:32:13 -0400

Pull your shoulders back!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2017 10:43 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 22:43:02 -0400

Don't expect what you don't inspect. Trust but verify.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2017 10:54 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 22:54:54 -0400

Keep your eyes on your goals. Don't let the little dogs nipping at your heels distract you. Stay hungry.

Hang around guys who motivate and encourage you. Learn your MOS. Learn. Learn, and learn.

Take some of your personal time to study the FMs that directly or even indirectly relate to you MOS/Career field. Study Army regulations. Read the Ranger Handbook. Read or at least glance over FM 6-22. Read AR 600-20. It's a boring read, but I GUARANTEE you'll learn something you didn't know!

I'm sure your first sergeant and commander have stressed being "adminstratively fit," but I'll stress it again. ALWAYS be GREEN. Take care of dental. Keep track of your training. Don't wait for somebody to tell you to knock out whatever level of NCOES you need. Don't ever end up on the list of guys who need to "get their GAT done before friday" I know it's chicken crap, and I hated and still hate that crap too, but I've watched guys loose out big time in their careers, just because they failed an APFT, because they were non deployable for some stupid reason ETC. You'll never beat the mickey mouse game, so play and stay on top.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2017 12:09 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 00:09:48 -0400

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member listen and observe the best soldiers and emulate their best qualities. Always put forth your best effort, and do not be afraid to make mistakes. We all make them, but do not make the same mistake twice. Know your MOS and how the Army operates. Be a squared away soldier and others will look to for leadership. I love your attitude!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 4 at 2017 1:33 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 01:33:37 -0400

https://jtspratley.com/blog/attn-private

ATTN: Private

JtSpratley.com is the hub for music, videos, podcasts, and Go Live Lively blogs by Jacqueem Jt Spratley. Read about IT, cybersecurity, and free open source software (FOSS).

Response by PFC Jonathan Albano made Jul 4 at 2017 1:54 AM

PFC Jonathan Albano — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 01:54:36 -0400

The grass may be greener on the other side but the dog still poops in it. (You can't have the good without dealing with the bad. Be open to opportunities but content with where you are.)

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 4 at 2017 2:38 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 04 Jul 2017 02:38:11 -0400

Always be a great "doer". That said, be a great "observer". See how people are treated well and not well by various examples of the NCO community. In that you'll learn that treating people well opens many paths. Never too early to treat the people around you well. As you move up you can do it better for more people.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jul 6 at 2017 9:38 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 09:38:26 -0400

Take your responsibilities seriously; but yourself, not so much.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 6 at 2017 11:02 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 06 Jul 2017 23:02:20 -0400

Lead by example, don't ask others to do what you wouldn't do.

Response by SFC Randy Hellenbrand made Apr 14 at 2021 2:42 PM

SFC Randy Hellenbrand — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 14:42:00 -0400

You woke up this morning. That is ALWAYS the start of a good day.