Can a Servicemember truly "manage their career"?

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 17:16:01 -0400

I've spent over 10 years in the private sector and have almost 13 of service in the ARNG. Throughout my career, I've always been told that I am the "manager of my career", but what does this really mean? Do any of us get to actually determine the trajectory of our careers, or are we just making the best of what we're given. I'd love to get some perspective on the matter.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Mar 23 at 2018 5:17 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 17:17:16 -0400

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member: Major, it means that YOU are in charge.

Response by Cpl Tom Surdi made Mar 23 at 2018 5:18 PM

Cpl Tom Surdi — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 17:18:50 -0400

Absolutely. I think by "managing" your military career simply means having certain goals you would like to meet and focusing on them. So say a Marine wanted Embassy duty, they would focus all their efforts into seeing that goal to completion.

Response by CW5 Jack Cardwell made Mar 23 at 2018 5:22 PM

CW5 Jack Cardwell — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 17:22:21 -0400

You can manage what you do. Get the required schools as soon as you can, go beyond required schools if possible. Take those crummy assignments no one else wants ...

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Mar 23 at 2018 5:29 PM

LTC Kevin B. — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 17:29:23 -0400

Absolutely. As long as you're proactive and you make reasonable requests, you can certainly manage your career quite successfully. I always indicated to my superiors and to my assignment officers where I wanted to be stationed and the types of jobs I wanted to pursue, and I was always successful at getting the assignments that I wanted. I was also able to attend the schools I wanted, both military and civilian. No complaints here at all. The only time I came close to not getting what I wanted, I was able to manage my way out of it. Someone who is currently a MG (was a MAJ at the time) wanted to assign me to Fort Hood for company command. I was able to get company command in the 101st (which was what I wanted). It just took some proactive work on my part.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2018 5:31 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 17:31:59 -0400

Well, you can certainly manage aspects of your career but certainly not all. It is still needs of the Army. They say you are the manager of your career but I really think they mean get your paperwork done to move on.

Response by CW4 Jim Webb made Mar 23 at 2018 5:34 PM

CW4 Jim Webb — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 17:34:45 -0400

I think some of the responses you have received will give you some insight. As a human resource person who acted as an advisor to commanders and staff for many years in the ARNG, I would also suggest you approach some senior officer that you respect and admire with a request to him or her for mentorship. If your command does not have a working mentorship program for officers, seek this out on your own. Walking through deep snow is always easier if you can follow someone else's footsteps! Good luck and best wishes.

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Mar 23 at 2018 5:53 PM

1stSgt Eugene Harless — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 17:53:03 -0400

It can be done in some ways, speaking from my experience as USMC and enlisted. You are pretty much told from day one that if you check certain blocks you will advance. If you focus on your performance in your qualifications and schooling you will rise to the top. Likewise, as you serve longer push to get to professional development schools (NCO, SNCO, Advanced SNCO) that make you competitive and also duty assignments such as DI, Recruiter MSG or I&I.
Some things that aren't as easy to "control" are getting a degree or trying to remain stationed in one geographic area.

Response by CW3 Jeff Held made Mar 23 at 2018 9:29 PM

CW3 Jeff Held — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 21:29:38 -0400

Sure! I was very fortunate to have a lot of input. I never skirted tough assignments and was not a PITA to my career manager.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Mar 23 at 2018 9:33 PM

LTC John Mohor — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 21:33:43 -0400

Major Cox I'd have to add that by taking care of your Soldiers, keeping up you schooling and doing your best in all that you undertake will help get you well on your way to your goal! Keep up the good work in the guard but if needed don't overlook Reserve opportunities as well depending on how high you're trying to get!

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Mar 23 at 2018 10:07 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 22:07:18 -0400

The military provides the opportunity and means to determine your own destiny. All one has to do is apply themselves and anything is possible. Thank you for your service.

Response by LTC Jason Mackay made Mar 23 at 2018 10:22 PM

LTC Jason Mackay — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 22:22:45 -0400

Yes, you have to think about where / what types of positions you want experience you end up in. Otherwise you get dropped where ever they put you. It's not always a win for you, or a win for them, sometimes you have to eat an assignment to position yourself for another.

I would think with he limited slotsnin the ARNG you would need to really work and think through timing and slots.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2018 11:18 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 23 Mar 2018 23:18:57 -0400

I'm actively trying to prove this concept! In the civilian sector, we preach of the power of networking, mentorship, and of community; this allows some to outmaneuver their peers, bypassing and climbing faster than the average bear. That level of meritocracy and active career management is, of course, not how our military works. Sure, there are BZ boards, but most people come up together, learn together, and promote together. Those who are able to pull out ahead seem to play a better long game than others; as BG Earhart called out on your other post, there are plenty of people who top out at MSG or COL. While those are surely respectable ranks and careers, the ones who truly manage their careers well seem to be able to navigate to the highest and most visible posts.

Help me prove that you can manage your career by chiming in on my current struggle: S2 be or not S2 be?

https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/are-there-any-downsides-to-being-a-battalion-s2-any-reason-it-may-negatively-impact-promotion-boards-in-the-future-any-negative-sentiments

Are there any downsides to being a Battalion S2? Any reason it may negatively impact promotion...

After 4 years away from aviation service, I'm very excited to be returning to a flight unit in the Spring. That said, I am also keenly focused on actively managing my military career, and have spent the past few months networking with units across the country to ensure my next role isn't perceived as anything but a professional step forward. This has proven to be challenging after completing an early first command. All mentors have recommended...

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Mar 24 at 2018 5:20 AM

SGM Bill Frazer — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 05:20:05 -0400

You manage your career with the choices you make- requesting extra schools, balancing staff/troop time to be well rounded, taking demanding positions, and trying to excel. Building trust with your superiors and subordinates. Doesn't always mean you get to chart exactly your own course, but you can at least get in the general direction.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 24 at 2018 1:01 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sat, 24 Mar 2018 13:01:51 -0400

You are the manager of your career from several perspectives. First, is how well you perform in your current job. If you are the very best logistician your commander has ever worked with, then it will be easier for you to meet your career goals. Next is how well you are prepared for your next job and for promotion. You should have a good idea of the next job or jobs in your career field that you can compete for. If possible talk to people in those jobs and begin to learn what those folks do. Shape the education and training you request to match the jobs you want. As far a promotion goes, look at what the Army is telling you about getting promoted. Read the detailed statistics about promotion board results. If 70% of those selected for LTC have an advanced degree, then get one. Third, you should know your detailer who actually controls assignment decisions. The detailers have a pretty thankless job because they can make decisions for the good of the Service that piss off large numbers of people quickly. If your detailer knows and respects you, then he or she may give you a heads up on "dream jobs" coming open or a choice of locations for assignment. Because I knew the major command C-130 detailer, my choices for overseas assignment were Alaska or Germany. I had 24 hours to decide. I took Alaska. The detailer didn't have to do that, but because I had talked to him every month or so for the year before I was to be reassigned we established a relationship that paid off.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2018 9:41 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 25 Mar 2018 09:41:11 -0400

I think managing a career involves a little of both. When I've head this phrase used, it's usually been a admonition to service members to make sure that all of their records are up-to-date and complete. I have also heard it used as an encouragement to service members to be up-front with their supervision and functional handlers about what they want from their career.

Response by Maj Matthew Medlock made Mar 26 at 2018 5:11 AM

Maj Matthew Medlock — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 05:11:42 -0400

Having a mentor with clout is a big plus to help you set and accomplish your goals

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Mar 26 at 2018 9:03 AM

SGM Erik Marquez — Mon, 26 Mar 2018 09:03:18 -0400

My observation over 28 years of active service was threefold.
Can you manage your career?
YES, if proactive
KIND IF, if reactive
NO if unwilling or unable.

The YES is when the SM seeks out opportunities that will actively manage their success. A School, some training, a Job, perhaps a PCS that is not as "fun" or rewarding for the off duty time, but will provide better opportunities for the career.

The KIND OF is the SM that is a wait and see.... they only deal with what is offered and then make the "best choice" of that. Never think farther then today.

The NO is the SM that like the KIND OF SM, does nothing active to get what they want, but unlike the KIND OF, they choose from what is offered based on feelings and wants for today and not what is best for the long haul.

I was two of three of those styles of career management , at first I was the NO, but i quickly saw the error in that. So i changed to the YES for about 26 more years, and lastly, as I was winding down, I reverted back to the NO...I did not want the next assignment if it meant moving again....So I retired.

Response by Maj Walter Kilar made Mar 30 at 2018 11:05 AM

Maj Walter Kilar — Fri, 30 Mar 2018 11:05:45 -0400

Learn the rules of the game, and use the rules to get what you want. We have limited control over career trajectory, because the needs of the service come first.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2018 8:59 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 20:59:14 -0500

LOL.... Negative ghost rider! Look as a Guard soldier the best you can do is buy a fifth and share a beer. That is more likely to send you somewhere than your career. Your unit readiness ncos and training ncos will respond so much better to you being nice and getting them drunk.
I spent 6 years active and my career was very based on what I could accomplish.

Guard side is all who you know! And even then its funding and slots available.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 9 at 2019 12:43 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 09 Jul 2019 12:43:07 -0400

Sometimes it depends on your mentor and his/her deep vision and influence.