Can I get some advice to be career?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 19:14:35 -0500

I'm a 6 year 11B SSG. My concern is that I was at JBLM for 4 years in a cav unit that put me on a mounted ATGM strkyer, I did an inter post transfer to an Infantry Battalion but only have in reality 6 months of dismount time before PCSing to Ft Carson where I was put onto a bradley as gunner. I was promoted sept of 2019 to SSG with only very little leg time due to being told my skills where required elsewhere. I have only one rotation to kuwait no arcoms no tab only 3 aams. Although this is only my second duty station I kinda of feel like my career is a failed career, maybe I being to hard on myself or feeling sorry for myself but I feel like I should have more experience than I have as a SSG. I am very aware that deployments doesn't happen to everyone especially now, not going to lie though out of the 3 combat teams here I was sent to the one that wasn't going to Afghanistan only Kuwait so seeing others with their patches and badges makes me a little envious. I am currently serving as a section leader. I have the choice of going recruiting but it would not be a sincere choice or I can ride out my last 18 months and get out. Any advice or criticism is welcomed I'm legitimately looking for a potential direction. Everyone says I am a good nco and good soldier which I appreciate but I have never had a boot up my ass for seriously screwing up which I know I have and that's not a shot against my leadership I just perform when the stakes are higher so again looking for a potential path to take myself and my family of 6 thanks.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2019 7:33 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 19:33:30 -0500

Find your Master Gunner and ask how you can become like him/her. Get in the UCOFT and learn the skills of a gunner. Then learn everything about your BIVF. Being a great NCO has nothing to do about what’s on your uniform. It’s about what’s inside of you. Take care of your troopers and their families.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2019 7:35 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 19:35:42 -0500

First. Don’t look at anything as a failure because you were given the short stick of where the army needed you. It’s what you do with the places you are. Look at the 11B career map. You’re in a mechanized unit. Go to Master Gunner it will do WONDERS for not just you but also your unit. Look at all the other things you can do as well like UMO, or HAZMAT even UPL. Those are often over looked courses but if you hold those additional duties it’s going to look great on paper and help your unit and company out a lot.

Additionally if you’re a good NCO and you lead your soldiers and give them something to emulate then that’s the most gratifying thing you can do in your career. Train your young bucks and strive for greatness down every avenue you take. Look at the bigger picture and you’ll do just fine. If you want to make it a career then do it only because you love your job no matter where you go. If you don’t love your job then you can’t lead soldiers effectively in my honest opinion. Just take a breath and don’t go recruiting. Try DS or maybe even become a MG instructor after your squad leader time. Your career can be in your hands at least a little bit. But definitely not all the time.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2019 8:29 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 20:29:04 -0500

You didn't tell us what you wanted to do, so it's hard to read your mind.
If you feel like you're a failure in your MOS then get more training. Volunteer for Ranger School if you want to be light or Airborne, volunteer for Master Gunner if you want to stay Mechanized. If your unit won't send you, then have your branch send you. You will attend TDY enroute to your next duty station.

Six years is not a long time in the Army and there is still plenty of time to develop, take challenging assignments, and attend schools; hopefully take some college while you're at it. Pull down the 11B Professional Development Model and look at where you should be at your rank, it's located on the Office of the Chief of Infantry website.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2019 9:04 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Dec 2019 21:04:44 -0500

A 6 year SSG is still a young career, not everyone is getting deployments. Your job as a section sergeant falls in line with your required KD time, keep that job till they hold the next SSG evaluation boards. You do need some stuff to out shine your peers though. If you want to stay mech master gunner would be the most beneficial. Ranger School for Infantry definitely doesnt hurt but a mech unit is less likely to send you. There is always Audie Murphy that is strictly self development that looks good.
If deployments are what your really want try to get reassigned to 18th ABN Corps unit, pretty much always have someone gone.

Response by CPL Bennie Harris made Dec 12 at 2019 2:56 AM

CPL Bennie Harris — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 02:56:46 -0500

Go for the recruiter, that would give you sales experience. Or if you are a boots on the ground stick it out for the 18 months u said? Then get out. Either way there's so much that the VA has to offer in help with transitioning to the civilian life use it to ur advantage. God bless and thank you for ur service. Happy holidays.

Response by MSG Danny Mathers made Dec 12 at 2019 7:10 PM

MSG Danny Mathers — Thu, 12 Dec 2019 19:10:57 -0500

Go to Selection, SOF, SF or Ranger. SOF and Ranger you will remain an 11B but will have skill identifiers. All of which will provide you challenges with answers and decisions you never had. They will tell you , you really have to want it. Go all the way and you will see the world!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2019 4:06 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 16:06:50 -0500

Is there a question? I don't know what you want out of your career to be able to direct you at all. Is this just a rant? A vent? Just looking for some clarification here.

You control your career. No one else. So whatever you want out of it, whatever goals you have, you have to set those goals and then go after them.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Dec 13 at 2019 4:18 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 16:18:45 -0500

Not all infantry is leg infantry. If you WANT to be a leg, get to 18th ABN Corps (82nd, 101, 10th MTN). If you WANT to deploy... Get to 18th ABN Corps. Don't go recruiter just to have something to do or to pad your resume. Do go recruiter if you want to learn new skills and help the Army find good recruits.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 13 at 2019 4:57 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Dec 2019 16:57:50 -0500

The Infantry is not all dismounting, contrary to popular opinion. You want competent people inside that Bradley. You have an inch wide auto cannon at your disposal, missiles, and a 240 set on high speed. Pretty sweet.
If you dont like it, welcome to the club, I did 8 years as a light scout then the Army said "Heres a Bradley". So I raised them a SOF packet and I'm not a 19D anymore. If you want out of the Infantry, there are ways. Fastest is through the SORB.

Response by CPL Bennie Harris made May 20 at 2020 4:14 AM

CPL Bennie Harris — Wed, 20 May 2020 04:14:13 -0400

Ask to tdy to Afghanistan or Iraq? The most that can happen is you don't go, if that be the case go ahead and get out try corrections officer or sheriff deputy? Or try homeland security? 11B is basically a grunt or try armed security office position pays well. Good luck and God's speed. Ben