Posted on Jan 3, 2016
How do you keep from losing "What makes you, you" when climbing up the ranks?
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I've been in a little over 3 years now, but I have been extremely fortunate to be placed around some amazing people. I have also had the benefit of seeing two sides of the spectrum when it comes to good leadership and bad leadership. I'm Commander's Support Staff so I get to see a lot more than the average airman does when it comes to the background of decisions. The thing that plagues me to this day is losing "myself" as I climb the ranks. When I say this I'm talking about my personality and how I act. I understand our Core Values and embodying them, but I'm talking about future decisions and situations. I will never step over anyone to get ahead or backstab. I'm looking for some true insight in this. Have you changed throughout your career for better or for worse? Are you the same "you" with the same beliefs and principles that joined in the beginning? I hope this makes sense and I'm looking forward to some good commentary.
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 2
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"I will never step over anyone to get ahead or backstab."
That right there is the best mentality I think you can have. The Air Force needs more people in leadership with that thought process. Unfortunately that is not the ideal way to get promoted as you won't be quite on par with those who do. Regardless, if you are planning on making this a career then please stick with that mentality because if you do you will be the NCO that your airmen actually look up to.
To answer your questions, first I would say that I have changed personally for the worst simply because I have grown tired of all of the BS that exists within big blue so the amount that I care is diminishing. Not directly in my job but when it comes to what I see as useless additional duties, volunteering and anything else our NCOs push on us to pad our EPRs I just simply don't care anymore. At this point I show up to do the job my AFSC dictates I do and then when my shift is done I put the Air Force behind me until my next shift. As for my beliefs and principles, I have stayed basically the same as I was civilian side. No where near as motivated as when I joined initially but I think it's safe to say most people get burned out over time.
That right there is the best mentality I think you can have. The Air Force needs more people in leadership with that thought process. Unfortunately that is not the ideal way to get promoted as you won't be quite on par with those who do. Regardless, if you are planning on making this a career then please stick with that mentality because if you do you will be the NCO that your airmen actually look up to.
To answer your questions, first I would say that I have changed personally for the worst simply because I have grown tired of all of the BS that exists within big blue so the amount that I care is diminishing. Not directly in my job but when it comes to what I see as useless additional duties, volunteering and anything else our NCOs push on us to pad our EPRs I just simply don't care anymore. At this point I show up to do the job my AFSC dictates I do and then when my shift is done I put the Air Force behind me until my next shift. As for my beliefs and principles, I have stayed basically the same as I was civilian side. No where near as motivated as when I joined initially but I think it's safe to say most people get burned out over time.
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SSgt (Join to see)
I'm sorry to hear about you getting burnt out. How long have you been in? It comforting to know your beliefs and principles have remained the same throughout. Even if I don't promote as fast as the others do for backstabbing, when I make Chief I know I achieved it honestly and fairly. I want to be able to live with my decisions for the rest of my life.
Well luckily for you the new EPR system is more duty based opposed to volunteering. Additional duties can be good though because they expand your view to things outside just your career field. I know Big Blue seems like a chess match half the time, but if you accept that and understand it then everything becomes easier and less frustrating. Do not fret over things that aren't in your control. I hope something comes along and sparks your flame back up.
Well luckily for you the new EPR system is more duty based opposed to volunteering. Additional duties can be good though because they expand your view to things outside just your career field. I know Big Blue seems like a chess match half the time, but if you accept that and understand it then everything becomes easier and less frustrating. Do not fret over things that aren't in your control. I hope something comes along and sparks your flame back up.
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SrA Matthew Knight
I've been in for about the same amount of time as you, going on 3 1/2 years. You definitely have the mind set that I would say would make a great NCO/SNCO at some point.
As for me, my enlistment is up in 2017 and I plan to split at that point. I'm not fond of my job, not fond of the Air Force way of doing things and not fond of most of the people around me. Every time I go on leave it hurts to come back mainly because I am sick of seeing the people that actually care about me for at most a couple of weeks here and there while the majority of my life is spent in a setting I am tired of with people that I am tired of. I know it isn't that way at every base/unit but for me it's time to hang up the ABUs and move on.
For you, you have a great mentality and sound like you are ready to keep moving up. As long as you know it's what you want then you are already set up for success. Do what you need to do and what you know is right and you'll be a great leader. As I have said before, be the leader that motivates your people to want to stay in, not the boss that makes them want to get out.
As for me, my enlistment is up in 2017 and I plan to split at that point. I'm not fond of my job, not fond of the Air Force way of doing things and not fond of most of the people around me. Every time I go on leave it hurts to come back mainly because I am sick of seeing the people that actually care about me for at most a couple of weeks here and there while the majority of my life is spent in a setting I am tired of with people that I am tired of. I know it isn't that way at every base/unit but for me it's time to hang up the ABUs and move on.
For you, you have a great mentality and sound like you are ready to keep moving up. As long as you know it's what you want then you are already set up for success. Do what you need to do and what you know is right and you'll be a great leader. As I have said before, be the leader that motivates your people to want to stay in, not the boss that makes them want to get out.
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Suspended Profile
I would say I climbed the ranks pretty fast ...
It's because I had a strong work ethic starting out. I never felt the need to backstab any of my peers to get to where I am. I'm molding myself for the next rank and it's changing me as a person for the better because I don't plan on staying for 20 years. It's changing me for better so that I can achieve my personal goals.
It's because I had a strong work ethic starting out. I never felt the need to backstab any of my peers to get to where I am. I'm molding myself for the next rank and it's changing me as a person for the better because I don't plan on staying for 20 years. It's changing me for better so that I can achieve my personal goals.
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