If you could go back and change one thing in your military career, what would it be?

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 May 2015 09:10:35 -0400

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made May 13 at 2015 9:15 AM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Wed, 13 May 2015 09:15:18 -0400

I would of followed my dream and stayed in

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2015 9:15 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 May 2015 09:15:40 -0400

I would not have accepted the regular commission. Would have stayed with the reserve commission.

Response by Lt Col Timothy Parker, DBA made May 13 at 2015 9:30 AM

Lt Col Timothy Parker, DBA — Wed, 13 May 2015 09:30:27 -0400

Find a trusted mentor sooner than later. After many years in the military I discovered progression past a certain point was not necessarily based on merit or performance. Only a more senior mentor can provide the guidance to navigate the process and tell you what counts in the eyes of those doing the counting.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2015 9:33 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 May 2015 09:33:59 -0400

Why dwell in the past that you cannot change. But for me I would not change a thing cause I live in the present and everything that happens happens for a reason.

Response by MAJ Jim Steven made May 13 at 2015 9:39 AM

MAJ Jim Steven — Wed, 13 May 2015 09:39:25 -0400

I vote for be a better follower, I was always kind of idealistic, thinking I was going to bring real leadership to an organization, make transformational change, etc.
What I have found, you mainly keep a seat warm and update the boss, you manage the continuation of operations...keep the ball rolling.
If that sounds bad...just my experience. When being micromanaged, just say, "yes boss, tell me exactly what you want me to do..."

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2015 10:22 AM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 May 2015 10:22:09 -0400

Joined earlier. I joined in '08, if I could go back I would skip college, and join at 17 in '04. Would've done Airborne in my initial contract and gone Active Duty.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2015 10:43 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 May 2015 10:43:08 -0400

In all honesty, I don't think I would go and change anything. All of my actions and decisions have led me to where I am today. I have certainly made my fair share of errors, but I feel that those errors and learning from them have made me a better person and leader. I would say going back and NOT marrying my ex wife, but our divorce led me to re-enlist and PCS to Germany....so it worked out in the end for me.

Response by SFC Joseph James made May 13 at 2015 11:41 AM

SFC Joseph James — Wed, 13 May 2015 11:41:41 -0400

I enjoyed my MOS (13F) and loved blowing stuff up, but I think i should have been a little better at being a Subject Matter expert in that field. I knew my job and exceeded standards but I really should have read and studied more areas of my field. I should have asked more questions from my leaders when i was younger. I think that when i hit SGT i really had to catch up knowledge wise. By they time my career was ending I was happy with what i've done and learned but it could have been better early on if i just knuckled down and put my face in the manuals more.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 13 at 2015 11:53 AM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 13 May 2015 11:53:28 -0400

I would have never married my ex :)

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2015 12:10 PM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 May 2015 12:10:25 -0400

I have two. Stayed on Active Duty longer and joined earlier in life. Now I realize the opportunity for college (undergrad, graduate, and post-grad) will always be there, but you're only 18 once. I joined when I was 22. I enjoyed Active Duty. Better pay as an single Soldier E4 than working as a civilian with graduate degree, and I miss the camaraderie. It doesn't exist in the civilian sector.

Response by PO1 Cleve Ikaika Waiwaiole made May 13 at 2015 2:01 PM

PO1 Cleve Ikaika Waiwaiole — Wed, 13 May 2015 14:01:37 -0400

I woulda joined the marines or army instead of the navy. The advancement in the navy for my rating or army term MOS was too locked up. I had friends that joined at the same time as me and they got E-5 or E-6 while I was stuck at E-4. Had a few years at 0% advancement across the board, few years only 5-10% advancement. I guess they aren't lying when they said "choose your rate choose you're fate" haha

Response by SGT Winfred Longwith made May 13 at 2015 2:17 PM

SGT Winfred Longwith — Wed, 13 May 2015 14:17:15 -0400

Would nothave enlisted at all im diagnosed ptsd 70% should be 100 why does anyone who has gone To war put their life on the line Have to prove anything retirement should be automatic if anyone can help me please help me my marriage is in shambles because of it. Anyone please

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made May 13 at 2015 5:31 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Wed, 13 May 2015 17:31:31 -0400

I made almost every single mistake expected of a 2ndLt. However, I learned a lot & grew a lot from those experiences. This helped me "guide" those young Lt's that later came into my command. Humble pie tastes like ****. But, I'd rather have eaten my share than explain to the CO why one of my Lt's did something stupid. To this, I wouldn't have changed a thing.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2015 8:39 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 13 May 2015 20:39:03 -0400

There's two things I would've done differently:

1. Gone active duty. I assessed well enough that I would've received my desired branch and made active duty no problem. I stayed in the ARNG for a woman, and it's not the one I'm married to. It's something I regret to this day.

2. Taken a Mountain Warfare slot offered to me. I'd been in the Army less than a year when it was offered to me. I didn't go because there wasn't any "cool guy" bling to go along with the training. Now I wish I would've went.