How do you look out for yourself and your career without appearing totally self-interested?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 23:06:05 -0400

Referring to things such as Troop Schools, duty positions, etc.
I recognize that it is important to fall in where needed, but how should you avoid getting tasked with things that would be detrimental to your career, within reason?

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2017 11:18 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 23:18:50 -0400

If you're not, no one else is going to be.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2017 12:23 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 00:23:07 -0400

What kind of things that you would be tasked with, that you feel would be detrimental to your career? Military education can only have positive influence in your career...as long as you actually apply what you learn.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2017 2:21 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 02:21:07 -0400

Easy: do your job and do it well, and take advantage of the opportunities that interest you (unless you're told to, then you really have no choice). If you're doing everything right and giving the unit a reason to see some value in you as a leader (yes, even if you aren't an NCO), you won't be offered up for some crappy collateral duty. For Marines, the best thing you can do in order to get promoted is first knock out your PME courses. Nowadays without the online and resident Corporals Course or Sergeant Course, Marines are ineligible for promotion. I've seen some get screwed by their commands and told that they can't attend the appropriate course because of operational requirements and they have to watch their peers, even juniors, get promoted before they do. I say do the minimum required to get eligible for promotion right away, and then take advantage of any other opportunity that 1. interests you and 2. will make you more competitive come board time.

Response by Maj John Bell made Sep 22 at 2017 7:48 AM

Maj John Bell — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 07:48:32 -0400

To the best of my ability
_I completed the mission in a way that met the commander's intent. If I was going to fail, I told HHQ now rather than later, and I had a plan for what I needed to get back on track.
_I took the best possible care of the Marines entrusted to me. That includes knowing when they've had enough and having the courage to tell HHQ "no" or "not today."
_You are a leader, stay out of the spotlight. When your Marines are in the spotlight (instead of you) and doing well; that means you are a good leader.
_I took the best possible care of the equipment and facilities entrusted to me, but I didn't waste time "painting rocks."
_I never stopped being a student of my craft; both schools and self-directed. If I wanted a particular assignment, I educated myself on it BEFORE it was open.
_I took assignments that many avoided, because they were professionally high risk assignments. No assignment is detrimental to your career if you do it well.
_I conducted myself in a way that I would have no difficulty defending if it were footage on the 5' O'clock news, on duty and off. Avoid the appearance of impropriety.
_When HHQ wanted a Marine for permanent reassignment, I sent the best of those who wanted the assignment. Competent allies on the staff beat "my trash in someone else's trash can" every time.
_When I or my Marines screwed up, I didn't hide it. I owned it. I put corrective action into place immediately. Once corrective action was underway, I informed HHQ ASAP.
_Train your second and third to do your job as well as you. If you can let them learn by making a mistake, without hurting anyone or breaking something, do it. Nothing teaches a man as well as screwing up.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2017 8:43 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 08:43:16 -0400

As others say which I echo, you're the one who will best take care of your career. So what you want to do is only show "partial" self interest in taking care of *your* career? You obviously care about your career, so how is trying to take care of your own career not going to come off as self-interest. By not taking care of your career, is that no interest? People will think what they want, so what does it matter if you want to go to troop schools or training that leads you to bigger and better things?

One of my former soldiers recently found out that if he had been to BLC, he'd be an E5 now. He's met all the other requirements short of that one school. For 16 months at the least. That pissed him off because his unit didn't send him, but he was more mad at himself for not pressing for that harder. So a bump in rank, pay grade, and responsibilities, could have all been had if he showed a little more self-interest and worked harder to get that school slot.

I myself turned down a promotion to E6, because in doing so I would have had to go to another unit. My unit was trying to pull me back over. I couldn't wait, or do my 1 year at the other unit as an E6 and return to my unit. Why would I do this? Because the promotion meant going to a transportation unit to do a job I did as an E3/E4, that I would not have learned much from, and would fail to utilize my skills, clearance, and would not offer me the training I wanted. I declined promotion to stay with my unit so I could get advanced training beneficial to my MOS, my future MOS, and my civilian career field as well.

Show your willingness to do your job, and your MOS. Be better than the next guy and when those details come up, your less likely to be sent, unless it just happens to be your turn, or you lose out because of rank. Ask for those schools you want to go with, and justify why they are beneficial to you, your shop, and your career. If your first line is doing their job, they should regularly be counseling you, to include what your goals are, and helping you get there.

I've rambled on long enough but leave you with 2 quotes.
The answer is always no unless you ask.
If you want something you have never had, you must be willing to do something you have never done.

Response by CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 22 at 2017 9:05 AM

CPT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 09:05:34 -0400

My DS told me "no one truly cares about you, but you". While this is not entirely true, if you run into a guy that tramples people on his way to the top this definitely fits. And there are plenty of those guys in the Army.

I recommend a balance. Derive happiness by helping and caring for others, but take care of yourself at the same time. At the end of the day all a man has to stand on is his reputation as a human being, not his rank or uniform flare. If an opportunity is there, seize it. If the opportunity is there for a Soldier, seize it. It's possible to do both. I promise.

Response by CPT Griff Tatum made Sep 22 at 2017 9:24 AM

CPT Griff Tatum — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 09:24:02 -0400

Look at it as if you are preparing yourself, in order to lead others. There's nothing self centered about professional development and increase of domain knowledge of your profession.

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Sep 22 at 2017 10:07 AM

MSG Dan Castaneda — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 10:07:07 -0400

You have to pay your dues first. I totally support "the men before you" mentality and the mission first. However, once you get a little older and well established, you need to take care of yourself and your family. Very rarely do I stay at work passed 1700. After that its my families turn, not the mission not the men.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Sep 22 at 2017 11:36 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Fri, 22 Sep 2017 11:36:44 -0400

The most important job you'll ever have is the one you have now. Make sure you are the most squared-away Soldier you can be. Know and understand the tools, techniques, and processes of your specialty. Avoid hiding behind the "sham shield." Accept assigned duties with a positive attitude and use them to develop you military capabilities and reputation. If you have the opportunity to volunteer for a school or duty you find attractive or that would help grow your career, then take the opportunity and make the base of it. If you follow this track, then you will have a better chance of being recognized, respected, and promoted.