Did you accomplish everything you wanted to during your military career?

SFC Stephen Carden — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 15:14:12 -0400

I only ever thought I would make it up to SFC before I retired, and I might actually get past that, but there were a few schools that I wanted to go to before I got too old and too broke. Anybody else have any regrets?

Response by SFC Robert Trodahl made Apr 28 at 2014 3:15 PM

SFC Robert Trodahl — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 15:15:55 -0400

I have done alot, but when I was a young pup I wanted to do jungle warfare school in Panama. Now I hear they are bringing it back.......and I am in the retirement window. Typical timing lol.

Response by MSG Wade Huffman made Apr 28 at 2014 3:29 PM

MSG Wade Huffman — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 15:29:55 -0400

I always thought I would have liked to do a stint as a Drill Sergeant but the only chance I had at that fell apart at the beginning of Desert Storm and there were a few assignments I would have liked to have had but time went by too quickly. I think I would say if you accomplished EVERYTHING you wanted, then you didn't want enough! LOL!

Response by SFC Rich Carey made Apr 28 at 2014 3:53 PM

SFC Rich Carey — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 15:53:27 -0400

Several things I wanted to accomplish. 1. Airborne, during basic we had an opportunity to sign up, I did and then was told sorry we don't drop missiles out the back of the aircraft. (So I did the next best thing, I jumped with a civilian club in Germany)2. Air Assault, I was being reassigned to Ft Rucker and yes they have a school, I am all set. I arrived and they announced the school is closing at Ft Rucker and this is the last class. (I did some repelling at Ft Sill, Medicine Bluff)3. Jungle Expert, I am on the way to Panama.(Nope change of orders, you are going to Ft Rucker)

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Apr 28 at 2014 4:10 PM

SFC Stephen P. — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 16:10:01 -0400

I always wanted to go to Mountain Warfare school, but it is not somewhere we send many career counselors.

I got to lead troops, and that is enough.

Response by SFC Timothy Riser made Apr 28 at 2014 5:17 PM

SFC Timothy Riser — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 17:17:54 -0400

SFC,

So far so good, i will re-engage when I retire.

Response by LtCol Brent Norquist made Apr 28 at 2014 5:38 PM

LtCol Brent Norquist — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 17:38:58 -0400

I always wanted to go to the basic airborne school but as a Marine it was pretty tough getting a slot and I was never in the "right place at the right time" and as a ground supply officer, it really was hard to show a bona-fide military requirement to go (drop in the airborne supply officer!). I remember when I got a new crew of boot warehousemen in at the Battalion and they all had shiney new jump wings. I found out they were all going through MOJT (military on the job training) at MCLB Albany, GA and had some "down time" so they were offered slots up the road at Ft. Benning at Jump School...again, right place at the right time.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2014 5:40 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 17:40:29 -0400

I wish I had pushed harder to get the Air Assault slot that I could have gotten after graduating EOBC. Unfortunately that was back in the days of TTHS and my unit could not cut orders for me as I was still assigned to them.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 28 at 2014 9:35 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 21:35:59 -0400

I always wanted to do Pathfinder school and Sniper School. Both of those would have been sweet. To be honest, I'd have gone to any school that has a real-world or combat application (for example: Halo, Scuba, Demo, etc., and excluding schools that I simply would not have done, such as Drill Sergeant). Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the DS school, but it is not for me - I'm a grunt at heart, and have no desire to have to babysit newbies trying to come into the military - I don't have the patience and would probably wind up in trouble for "abusing" (aka: smoking him) some kid because he whined about how stressful basic training is... I'd much rather be in combat than be a Drill Sergeant.

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Apr 29 at 2014 12:16 AM

SGM Matthew Quick — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 00:16:36 -0400

Not yet...but if I can pass my last four requirements, I'll accomplish the requirements for promotion to Sergeant Major.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2014 2:00 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 02:00:03 -0400

My goals have evolved as my career progressed but I've met all but the most recent so far.
- Complete Basic? Check. (Seriously, I'm like the only person in the military who actually had trouble in Basic)
- Crosstrain out of Security Forces? Check.
- Crosstrain into a computer job? Check.
- Earn my Bachelor's degree? Check.
- Establish enough retainability to reach retirement? Check.
- Make Master? Check.

My next goal is to break into a NAF or MAJCOM staff position and get into the functional management realm.

Response by SGT Shon D. Hill made Apr 29 at 2014 3:33 AM

SGT Shon D. Hill — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 03:33:32 -0400

I did accomplish everything I had planned, and a lot more! I wanted to get out of town, check! Travel to foreign countries, especially Europe and Central and South America, check all three and a bonus for the Middle East too! I hoped to finish some or a lot of college while on Active Duty...oh check a whole lot there, over 3 yrs BA Business degree done within first 6 yrs of service ;). Great career and adventure, had no idea that could happen to a small-town Oregon boy, so muchas gracias, danke, thank you US ARMY :)

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2014 8:00 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 08:00:54 -0400

None what so ever SFC Carden!

I have led America's finest on the battlefield brought them all home alive and with all their limbs(thanks to gods every lasting light). Met the enemy and made them die for their beliefs. Cleared the MSRs, ASRs, foot paths and even some mountains no one will ever walk on again. So NO regrets here.

V/R

MSG Haro

Response by CMC Robert Young made Apr 29 at 2014 8:03 AM

CMC Robert Young — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 08:03:08 -0400

I have far exceeded what I expected to accomplish in the beginning, but as time has progressed my goals have been adjusted to include some loftier things that I didn't consider early in my career. While some of those additions to my "to do list" remain undone, I've still been able to check most of the boxes added later in my career. Truthfully if it all ended tomorrow, I don't know that I could complain.

Response by SFC Stephen Carden made Apr 29 at 2014 8:03 AM

SFC Stephen Carden — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 08:03:56 -0400

To add to my initial post, one of my major goals was to outrank my dad. I did that! Then I married a CSM's daughter. I guess I am out of luck until they create the pay grade of E-10!

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made Apr 29 at 2014 8:04 AM

PO2 Rocky Kleeger — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 08:04:58 -0400

No, unfortunately

Response by SGT Shon D. Hill made Apr 29 at 2014 9:34 AM

SGT Shon D. Hill — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 09:34:54 -0400

I'm still pouting that my defective left ear kept me grounded from SF/Airborne/Flight medic, etc. :(. That may have been for the best though, but what a bummer!

Response by COL Vincent Stoneking made Apr 29 at 2014 10:26 AM

COL Vincent Stoneking — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 10:26:24 -0400

Closing in:
Armor PL - Done
CO CMD - Done
BN S3 - Done
BN CMD - Done Sat.
Graduate Army War College (100%, baring stupid)
Make COL (let's call it 25%)
Graduate Airborne (Yeah, missed it. Officially old.)

My path was much different than I had envisioned, but a win is a win.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2016 11:32 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 11:32:04 -0400

So far my only regret is leaving active duty. I was young and pissed off. I should've stayed active. I've been in the reserves now since 2004. Promotions are extremely slow and retirement is long off.