Military Career
Retirement
Responses: 234
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Two things come to mind.
I would have begged, borrowed, and stole to get out of the branch detail program and staying infantry. While I loved being in the Army, there we days--nay, years--I absolutely dreaded being an AG officer, which was about 362 on my wish list. Needs of the Army blah blah blah. While it was a privilege to serve, there is a lot to be said for job fulfillment and self esteem.
I would have sought out a mentor. I never heard of the term until my advanced course. Having one would have helped me navigate the waters of career management, helped me avoid shooting myself in the foot on more than a few occasions, and given me someone to confide in with personal issues.
I would have begged, borrowed, and stole to get out of the branch detail program and staying infantry. While I loved being in the Army, there we days--nay, years--I absolutely dreaded being an AG officer, which was about 362 on my wish list. Needs of the Army blah blah blah. While it was a privilege to serve, there is a lot to be said for job fulfillment and self esteem.
I would have sought out a mentor. I never heard of the term until my advanced course. Having one would have helped me navigate the waters of career management, helped me avoid shooting myself in the foot on more than a few occasions, and given me someone to confide in with personal issues.
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MSG Reid Stone
Totally understand from the mentorship standpoint, sir. Even on the enlisted side with a mentor I would have made SGM. Did make MSG but not the same, especially in retirement (money is a big difference). I was a SME in food service and had TOO many E9's that thought they knew more about food service than me and my FS mentor was someone I worked with at the RRC level and then USARC. I let two recruiters talk me out of becoming a FS WO in 1983 and 1986, earned a AS in FSMgmt in 1983, and just became comfortable as the promotions came.
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MAJ Bill Darling
MSG Reid Stone - You did alright MSG Stone, but I hear you. I try not to look back but every once in a while I cringe when I think of decisions I made (or let others make on my behalf). But like Tucker Carlson said recently, we learn a lot from failures (as I see a portion of my career when compared to my aspirations) and nothing from success. So I am grateful for that. One the one hand we should listen to people with more experience than us and on the other hand, we have to listen to our inner voice about what makes us get up in the morning. It's a fine line to balance.
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tried harder to get orders to Vietnam. I regret not getting there during my active duty.
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There were one or two times I probably should have stayed where I was instead of getting up and going looking for trouble.
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