"I can fall off the truck" - At the point where it's hard not to pass

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Wed, 22 Apr 2015 22:50:53 -0400

So, as I approach the point of finishing a class I'm taking, maintaining a VERY high grade, I remembered a phrase my snipers used to say "I could fall off the truck at this point" which basically meant that they had hit the point where it was mathematically impossible for them to fail.

This wasn't to say they dropped their pack, just that all the stress was gone. They didn't have to focus on failure anyone. They were free to do their best.

So during your career, military or otherwise, have you hit that point? Where you have just had all the stress just bleed off because the fear of failure is gone? Either because you've already guaranteed a pass or failed so miserably that it doesn't matter anymore. (there's something freeing in failure).

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2015 12:36 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 12:36:18 -0400

I don't know that I can honestly recall one. I remember getting to the point in tech school where it was obvious that I was going to pass. I still pushed to be the best, just like boot. I am my own worst critic & my inner Jiminy Cricket won't let me ease up.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 23 at 2015 12:40 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 12:40:36 -0400

It was Kuwait with my platoon. I was able to direct 4 tanks instinctively, of course I had great Tank Commanders would take advantage of the situation when maneuvering. Then I went to Finance, DFAS, NG TSC, and Corps Budget. There is a built in uncomfortableness trying to learn new jobs quickly.

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Apr 23 at 2015 12:49 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 12:49:52 -0400

In my civillian position the pressure for results never eases. Every week/month/year we look at results and how you perform against them. I've been with my company almost 28 years now and there is no let up. What you have to do is build mechanisms/processes in your life to deal with it and not let it bother you. It used to always bother me. I would fret/worry and stress about what I had to produce in regard to sales/gross profit/net profit/ROI/ROS etc.

Then there is the people side. Who stays, who goes, hiring, firing, right sizing, reorganizing, cut backs, ramp ups etc etc etc. People's jobs depend on your performance in your role. I worry more about letting poeple down and them possibly losing their job because we lose a client. It happens and it is no fun.

I don't fear failure in my job/career for me. I am more concerned about how my failure might impact others. The only point I see the stress bleeding off is the day I hang up the spurs and retire or walk away.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Apr 23 at 2015 2:57 PM

COL Jean (John) F. B. — Thu, 23 Apr 2015 14:57:25 -0400

I think it is foreign for most military personnel to not give 100% at all times, That is certainly the expectation.

One of my pet peeves over the years have been those who met the minimum repetitions during an AFPT and simply "coasted" through the remainder until time was up. Really upsetting when it was an NCO or officer and I have had some choice words for ones I observed doing that.

Whether it is in the classroom, on the PT field, on a training exercise, in the motor pool, or anything else, people should always strive to do their best at all times. Anything less is simply unacceptable.