Posted on Oct 26, 2014
At what rank or in what position did you learn the most? And what did you learn?
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I learn more at the senior ranks E7/SFC and E8/MSG/1SG. As a SFC, I learned networking. How to work well with my peers and asking for assistance if I needed it. As a MSG/1SG I learn everything I ever wanted to know about the Army; i.e. politics, UCMJ and how to effectively foster a environment in influencing the taking care of Soldiers and their family. And having a good relationship with everyone in BDE/BN doesn't hurt.
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Professional Development
Professional Development
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 8
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To me SSG was the greatest rank because I spent the most time training soldiers. I was with them all of the time while the PSG was away at meetings, doing slides, etc... I saw them day in and day out. During work I trained and mentored them and after work I helped them with their personal lives.
After making SFC you have to become political and in some cases a "Yes Man" to get ahead. Getting from SGT to SSG was me against a board of my seniors judging me on my knowledge and skills. Going from SSG to SFC it was me against a board of strangers judging me on the BS someone who barely saw me wrote on my evals.
After making SFC you have to become political and in some cases a "Yes Man" to get ahead. Getting from SGT to SSG was me against a board of my seniors judging me on my knowledge and skills. Going from SSG to SFC it was me against a board of strangers judging me on the BS someone who barely saw me wrote on my evals.
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Suspended Profile
I would say so far a SFC. As a Platoon sergeant I have been able to learn and see what goes on ie planning outside of the company at the BN and BDE level. Also I believe I have been able to fine tune skills such as calling for fire, sustainment, and medevac. Doing all of this while mentoring my PL and subordinates has been an amazing ride. Furthermore as a SFC I find that civilians, S, and G shops are more inclined to help solve a problem with you.
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I cannot speak beyond where I am now 1SG (Join to see), but I honestly feel I have learned more as a Staff Sergeant (yes, only three months time) than I have in the rest of the 9.5 years in my career. I have been given a lot more respect, people take my advice to heart as opposed to just "Oh, the CBRN NCO is trying to be important for a change." It is wonderful. And that goes both ways; those junior and senior to me.
It is a world of difference, honestly.
It is a world of difference, honestly.
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1SG (Join to see)
I think that I learned a lot with each successive rank and found that I had to fight the "I know it all" attitude as I got higher in rank. There is so much to learn if you really want to.
Having said that, I truly believe I learned more as a 2LT Infantry Platoon Leader than at any other time in my career. I attribute that to being a new officer but. more than that, I attribute it to having an absolutely outstanding Platoon Sergeant, SFC Benjamin Burgess. He took the time and great pains to teach me about the Army and being a leader..... and I listened and learned. I was blessed with having him as my mentor in those early days and I never forgot him.
I think that I learned a lot with each successive rank and found that I had to fight the "I know it all" attitude as I got higher in rank. There is so much to learn if you really want to.
Having said that, I truly believe I learned more as a 2LT Infantry Platoon Leader than at any other time in my career. I attribute that to being a new officer but. more than that, I attribute it to having an absolutely outstanding Platoon Sergeant, SFC Benjamin Burgess. He took the time and great pains to teach me about the Army and being a leader..... and I listened and learned. I was blessed with having him as my mentor in those early days and I never forgot him.
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