If someone asked what could you have done differently in your military career, what would you have chosen?

I would have reenlisted. Checked into OCS and have a full career.

I wouldn't have let my recruiter talk me out of going to Ranger School and I would have gone to Pathfinder School and Air Assault School.

I wish I'd have known about USMAPS when the guy from the Point came to talk to a bunch of us from FAHS about appointments. I didn't think I qualified; should have realized they wouldn't have spoken with me if there was no chance of my getting in... Wish I could go back...

Other than that in 1981 I was looking at either going to the 82nd or putting in a packet for SF; my wife told me if I went to "Group" to put in my divorce papers - so I went to the 82nd - regrets, but the marriage ended anyway so...

Overall, no regrets really - been a good ride all considering.

Reenlisted - : ) and looked at FAC.

Stayed in and not got out, I've regretted every since.

I would have planned for my success more completely. I'm a firm believer that the lack of mentorship, and personal motivation, is what caused me to take so long to promote between E-5 and E-6. As an E-6 I started planning and jumped in ranks fast after that.

I think I would have focused on promoting the developmental counseling a lot more, actually pushing leadership to use as it was it was meant to be used. Perhaps things have changed since I was a young soldier, but developmental counseling mostly was just used to tell you that you messed up, or a review of your duties when quarterly demands were made. It made the process next to useless.

Too many things: Spent more time taking civilian education classes, shied away from the booze, kept my mouth shut, checked my ego more and looked at getting a European assignment (not that Korea and Hawaii were bad, but it just would have been nice to see that corner of the world), not have let my small brain over ride my big brain when it came to the issue of my now ex wife. Like I said, too many things. Maybe had I done some of these things, I would have made SGM instead of SFC.

i would have stayed in the Corps and made a career of it

Advanced quicker, stayed in longer, and learned more.

My reality is that I would change nothing. My time in the Navy was what I needed at the time. It gave me structure and order at a time I needed it, but allowed for destructive behaviors that I still struggle with. Getting out was the best decision of my life at the time.