How to impress superiors without being a brown noser?

First off, fuck what they say. You are trying to get through your training. "Brown nosing" doesn't necessarily get you through that, but being very technically knowledgeable does. Pick their brains, stay late (but not too much, being well rested helps), work your hardest, and you will kick ass. Don't worry about what they think, just keep climbing up to the top. I don't know if you're still an MMFN because you got busted down, or if you simply did not update your account on here, but from what they are thinking about you, you're on the right track, keep it up.

Being on the same level that you are, I just showed up to my unit for the first time and was worried about the impression I would make as well. The best advice really is to know your job, and know it well. If you can do what you're meant to do at the best of your ability, then there really isn't much more that the CoC can ask of you. Be able to spot the little opportunities where you're able to go above and beyond and do it because you want to, not because you're trying to earn something. Your drive should be intrinsic, not based on rewards. If you wake up focused on being the best at what you do that day, then you can't go wrong.

There is one simple truth about "brown nosers" and that's they're lazy. If you look good because you work hard great! That is not "brown nosing." If you are trying to look good and not putting forth any effort, you are "brown nosing." This will tend to go away once you go to prototype and then your first assignment. Are you a "sub vol" or do you plan on going to a carrier?

Transfer into the Army...Where you are judged on your performance, in other words you can go how far and as fast as you want ot.