Posted on Jul 28, 2016
How can I remain motivated after career progression setbacks? I need help staying motivated.
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By no means am I the perfect soldier, but I have always strived to be the best. At my last unit i achieved so many great things... Air Assault and EFMB just to name a few. Now I am stationed at a hospital, the ER to be specific. My immediate COC and the Nuses I work with will say that Im one of the best Medics in the department. I pride myself on that. Now it is time that I move up in the ranks. I earned my promotable status and was given a slot to BLC. The morning of the first day of class, I over slept and lost my slot. HUGE mistake, that set me back 6 months. My 1SG wasnt going to give me another shot for 6 months. During that time I fought for a slot. I submitted a packet every chance I got. Part of that packet was a record APFT, which I took 4 records in the span of 6 months. Being in the ER I do PT on my own, and never had an issues passing. My finally convinced my 1SG that ibdeserved another slot at BLC, and submitted a complete packet to attend. During my BLC counseling I was told that I need to improve my PT, and I agreed, also I was told that there was a possibikity that I would have to retake the PT test because the test that we took for BLC may have been putside the 30 days needed to complete the packet. So rather than wait for further instructions, I started to PT very hard. I was informed the day before that I had to retake the PT test for BLC, and I failed. My form was crap, and I could not perform to standard. I still have not had my official counseling form my 1SG, but my ERB already reflects several flags, and I am sure I am going to lose my P status. I have 5 years in, and want to make the army a career, but this year has been one set back after another. I just would really like some advice on how to stay motivated theough all of this. I love the army and everything that it has done to improve my life. Thank you in advance.
SPC
Motivation
Military Career
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 26
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First of all, I respect that you have self identified the challenges you face, that is a huge step in the right direction. Now, if you really do love being part of this great organization, and want to be a Leader then it is time to get rid of the excuses and start living the Creed of the Non Commissioned Officer.
You will be evaluated (and recommended for continued service) based on your deeds, not words. Ruck up, quit allowing yourself to settle for mediocrity in performance. You know your weaknesses.
You might find it helpful to find someone close to your location to emulate, someone that you can trust and can use as a role model, that would be a Mentor for you. Get a Mentor, and get your shit together.....your time is very limited - if you do not get yourself fixed, you will be one the guys talking about "back when I was a Soldier.....or......here's how I was screwed when I was in the Army".
Aint none of us perfect, I want you to show me how resilient you are and would like an update of when you are getting promoted or getting out.......time to act while you have a vote in the matter.
You will be evaluated (and recommended for continued service) based on your deeds, not words. Ruck up, quit allowing yourself to settle for mediocrity in performance. You know your weaknesses.
You might find it helpful to find someone close to your location to emulate, someone that you can trust and can use as a role model, that would be a Mentor for you. Get a Mentor, and get your shit together.....your time is very limited - if you do not get yourself fixed, you will be one the guys talking about "back when I was a Soldier.....or......here's how I was screwed when I was in the Army".
Aint none of us perfect, I want you to show me how resilient you are and would like an update of when you are getting promoted or getting out.......time to act while you have a vote in the matter.
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SGT (Join to see)
CSM hit it on the head! I've been there done that. Literally. When I stopped making excuses and put on my big girl pants I made it happen. Don't continue to beat yourself up on your mistakes because you'll never be able to move past them! Don't dwell on the past. You have your eye on what you want to accomplish so never lose sight of it. Never let ANYTHING stop you! I don't care how many brick walls you hit ( No's) don't let it stop you. You know what you have to do MAKE IT HAPPEN!!!! Best wishes
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SPC (Join to see)
CSM hit that one right on the head brother, getting in shape and being fit isn't something that just happens brother. Gotta buckle down and stay discipline about it. It's a life style, and a difficult one for some to maintain. Get yourself a workout buddy, someone who loves it and will challenge you to be there. A big one, never lose your faith. Good things come to those who work their asses off. It may be a setback, but, when you get promoted, you'll have advice to give your soldiers as you become a leader.
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LTC David Brown
Great comments. I am reading a book “ Tri Athlete EQ”. It talks about how to deal with things when they don’t work out. Don’t let mistakes or set backs define you. It takes a bunch of “atta boys “ to cover up an “aw sh-t”. Look at past failures by great people, it didn’t define them and it won’t define you. Dwell on mistakes to correct the problem, then move on. Get your head in a good place. Focus on what got you the good stuff. Realize ER means keeping fit off duty. Pain in the rear but I did it for 20 some years. The CSM is absolutely correct. Good luck and keep on being your best,
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"I love the army and everything that it has done to improve my life." That is your motivation right there. Now you just need to figure out how to apply it. Starts with self discipline. There are many definitions of self discipline, the best one being simply forcing yourself to do what you know is right. Oversleeping on day one of an NCOES school is not a mistake, it is a lack of self discipline. At that moment, the most important thing in your life should have been BLC. Coulda, woulda, shoulda, not going to beat you up over that. Its how you move forward now. Think of the most professional NCO you know. He or she didn't get where they are at without self discipline. Emulate that NCO in all you do and you will see it come together.
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A couple of ideas from an Air Force guy who knows almost nothing about the Army:
You said you PT on you own. This may not be working for you as well as it might. Is there a unit on the installation that would allow you to PT with them when your work schedule allows? Your First Sergent may be able to help you with this. It's probably outside of Army tradition, but might work for you.
Are martial arts classes offered through your installation physical fitness or recreation center? Martial arts, when taught properly, teach discipline, physical fitness, and the fighting skills related to that discipline. And it can be fun! Might help your approach to fitness and life.
You said you PT on you own. This may not be working for you as well as it might. Is there a unit on the installation that would allow you to PT with them when your work schedule allows? Your First Sergent may be able to help you with this. It's probably outside of Army tradition, but might work for you.
Are martial arts classes offered through your installation physical fitness or recreation center? Martial arts, when taught properly, teach discipline, physical fitness, and the fighting skills related to that discipline. And it can be fun! Might help your approach to fitness and life.
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Come on, man. There's CSM's out there with 3, 4 NJPs to their names. Nothing you've described approaches that level. You just have to suck it up, decide that you're going to be the best Soldier that you can be for yourself first, your buddies secondly, and for rank and accolades a distant, distant 3rd. If you do that, I guarantee you the rank and accolades will come. Here's the very-simple key to it: decide that it will be so. If you do make that decision, 20, 25 years from now when you retire after a long and fruitful career, remember the moment that you DID make that decision. Because it will have gotten you there.
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Look around when you get home. I mean REALLY look. Do you like the things you have? Do you like what you made for yourself? Do you wish you did better at something or made different choices? Now think about how you act when you're tired, busy, overwhelmed. You get exactly what you put into the world around you. Some people start with more, some people start with less. As time goes on, that beginning disappears and your life becomes whatever your DAILY decisions made it.
Yah it sucks that you have to work hard and be tired and start at the bottom of some hierarchy. You know what sucks more? You hit on it... It sucks more to look back and realize you pissed away great opportunities and things you love because you couldn't stomach your own self control.
Think of the day in terms of meals. Break it down in terms of what goals you have before each meal of the day. Eat at the same time each day and accomplish more and better goals before each meal. Write them down each night before you go to bed and analyze how you did on the ones from the previous day. I started doing that when my parents told me they weren't paying for a car or college for that matter when I turned 16. 1 business, 1 bachelors degree, 1 house, 1 fiance, working on my MD degree, and I still do this. I just turned 23. Good luck. It's up to you friend.
Yah it sucks that you have to work hard and be tired and start at the bottom of some hierarchy. You know what sucks more? You hit on it... It sucks more to look back and realize you pissed away great opportunities and things you love because you couldn't stomach your own self control.
Think of the day in terms of meals. Break it down in terms of what goals you have before each meal of the day. Eat at the same time each day and accomplish more and better goals before each meal. Write them down each night before you go to bed and analyze how you did on the ones from the previous day. I started doing that when my parents told me they weren't paying for a car or college for that matter when I turned 16. 1 business, 1 bachelors degree, 1 house, 1 fiance, working on my MD degree, and I still do this. I just turned 23. Good luck. It's up to you friend.
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You are going to face many many challenges and set backs in your army career in the infantry the call it "embrace the suck" and it seems like right now hats what you are in... Don't let these minor set backs cause they are minor stop you from doing nothing what you want and what you love! I got an article 15 was flagged not promotable extra duty the whole nine yards I went from being the private that my squad leader and team leader depended on over senior SPC to the bottom of the barrel and I just sucked it up and tried harder now I'm back to the level I was before and PCSing to a new duty station but I just had to stay focused and keep in mind this isn't going to last forever your army career is in your hands and your hands only stay focused motivated and keep your head up on the pt note just practice your push ups do 100 of each event a night before you rest doesn't have to be all at once but eventually work your way up to getting about 65-75 at once having trouble with your run do sprints and I find that rucks help me out a lot doing things with weight while walking and running just keep your head up if this is what you want then go get it!
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Setbacks are part of being human. There isn't anyone wearing this uniform that hasn't faced some kind of setback, mistake, or series of mistakes. All of us have been there, some less severe and others more severe. You have reached the first step in realizing you have a problem.
Sit down and write down the issues - oversleeping is a pain and it happens but it can happen at the worst time. Find out how to keep it from happening again - like 2 alarms. Once you do that that is one issue fixed. Now get after PT, come up with a good plan on how to get back to proper form and rep count. Once you identify it and develop a plan find out how long it will take to reach that end state (probably two months maybe more). Put everything on paper, your routine, plan, increased rep counts, diagnostic APFTs, and anything else you feel that is needed. Once you have that plan all written out sit down with your leadership then your 1SG. You know the problem so find the solution, don't wait for your leadership to tell you the solution. Become part of the solution and you show your chain of command that you are committed to getting better.
When you talk to them ask what is the acceptable timeframe for going back to BLC. Once you meet all of those goals you need to get in there and get it done. Being 5 years in you are behind the power curve when it comes to your peers, so you will not be able to sit back and wait for the next board or opportunity. You need to prove yourself, attack the next promotion board and work on SSG so you can get back onto the same playing field the rest of your peers are on.
It won't be easy but if we wanted easy we wouldn't be in the military. Get after it and hold your head up high. We've all fallen down, you just have to decide to get back up and fight for it!
Sit down and write down the issues - oversleeping is a pain and it happens but it can happen at the worst time. Find out how to keep it from happening again - like 2 alarms. Once you do that that is one issue fixed. Now get after PT, come up with a good plan on how to get back to proper form and rep count. Once you identify it and develop a plan find out how long it will take to reach that end state (probably two months maybe more). Put everything on paper, your routine, plan, increased rep counts, diagnostic APFTs, and anything else you feel that is needed. Once you have that plan all written out sit down with your leadership then your 1SG. You know the problem so find the solution, don't wait for your leadership to tell you the solution. Become part of the solution and you show your chain of command that you are committed to getting better.
When you talk to them ask what is the acceptable timeframe for going back to BLC. Once you meet all of those goals you need to get in there and get it done. Being 5 years in you are behind the power curve when it comes to your peers, so you will not be able to sit back and wait for the next board or opportunity. You need to prove yourself, attack the next promotion board and work on SSG so you can get back onto the same playing field the rest of your peers are on.
It won't be easy but if we wanted easy we wouldn't be in the military. Get after it and hold your head up high. We've all fallen down, you just have to decide to get back up and fight for it!
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SGT(P) (Join to see) After I was discharged, I was fortunate to land a good paying chemical plant operator job, while I also went to school full time. I overslept and was late for work after having worked at the plant for two months. I was counseled and told that I was an outstanding operator, but not to be late again. I started setting three alarm clocks to wake up, and was not late again. There will be setbacks and challenges that you will need to overcome. You want to stay in the Army, so that should be your motivation to excel. Work on your weaknesses, have a great attitude, and do the best job that you can every day.
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CSM Charles Hayden Passed 7/29/2025
Sgt (Join to see) I too used 3 alarm clocks for a while. If I arrived at work and clocked-in late, my day was ruined! $ out of my paycheck!!
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Ok brother,most of the time we need to erased everything and start from scratch...put it like this,strive to get better...give yourself a brake and start PT with a purpose,if everyone tell you,that's you're a good soldier,get better so the COC put you for anything without you asking them for a slot...your time will come...it will come sooner if you get better,plan ahead,exercise,go to sleep at a certain time and get up early...think than others who gave their everything will give anything to be here and have another opportunity in this life...best of luck and strive for excellence!
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So the people in your unit think you a great soldier and you've achieved many outstanding goals that you have set for yourself. But dude you've been in five years and haven't learned that sleeping in and missing duty is not a huge No-Go, you need to grow up a little if the Army is what you truly love and believe or hope you have a future in! You were lucky that you did not get anything more than the 1SG holding you back for 6 months! It could of been an AR-15 with loss of rank and pay. Trust me I've seen some really hardcore 1SG's that would have been only to happy to do that!
You seem to be a good soldier which is why they were on your side and helped you get back on track.
That should be a little motivation there by itself. Now as far as your PT goes. You've be doing it on your own it seems like for a long time good for you, most people would not even try that! Go to the gym if you have one on post and check to see if their are any groups training that you may be able to join. Your Unit may have one just for PT Programs! Every post I was stationed at had these programs set up. If you can't find one there look off post at local gyms and tell them what areas you need to work in and they will normally help you out. I was kind of in your shoes during my final two years of service. My job kept me locked in a vault 24 on 12 off 7 days a week so PT was something we never saw. I was SP4 (P) with 9 years in and finally got out for my family! I absolutely loved the Army and wished that I had remained in! If you are single and truly believe that the life is one that you absolutely love. Then you just need a few small changes and you will become an asset to your Unit, the other NCO's, your soldiers and the Army! I wish you all the luck in the world in all you strive for as a Soldier! SPC Jimmy Bowling (Vet.)
You seem to be a good soldier which is why they were on your side and helped you get back on track.
That should be a little motivation there by itself. Now as far as your PT goes. You've be doing it on your own it seems like for a long time good for you, most people would not even try that! Go to the gym if you have one on post and check to see if their are any groups training that you may be able to join. Your Unit may have one just for PT Programs! Every post I was stationed at had these programs set up. If you can't find one there look off post at local gyms and tell them what areas you need to work in and they will normally help you out. I was kind of in your shoes during my final two years of service. My job kept me locked in a vault 24 on 12 off 7 days a week so PT was something we never saw. I was SP4 (P) with 9 years in and finally got out for my family! I absolutely loved the Army and wished that I had remained in! If you are single and truly believe that the life is one that you absolutely love. Then you just need a few small changes and you will become an asset to your Unit, the other NCO's, your soldiers and the Army! I wish you all the luck in the world in all you strive for as a Soldier! SPC Jimmy Bowling (Vet.)
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