Most Inspirational military moment that made you who you are?

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 02:33:02 -0400

I often wonder what inspires us to do what we do in the Army. It could be anything from a story, to an act. Mine was the guest speaker at PLDC, Fort Bragg in 1995. A CSM read a story to us and it reshaped the way I viewed my job as a Soldier. I now post this outside my office and encourage my Soldiers to read it. "A MESSGAE TO GARCIA" Elbert Hubbard

What was yours?

Response by SFC Christopher Walker, MAOM, DSL made Apr 27 at 2014 3:09 PM

SFC Christopher Walker, MAOM, DSL — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 15:09:12 -0400

My Drill Sergeant in AIT inspired me to be who I am. He was the example I wanted to be like. He was a great leader, mentor and problem solver.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Apr 27 at 2014 6:14 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 18:14:16 -0400

Right out of A School being assigned to CINCPACFLT having to work with and for the Admirals Communicators CTOCM Robert "Red" Adams and CTOCM Charlie Walters. DIVO Bob Payne. Who wouldn't want to be like those three. Getting to Hear RADM Grace Hopper (Mother of the Computer Age) speak. Working for the "Rocket Scientist" of the Computer/Communications/Technology Field and getting to work on the "In" projects like ARPANET, CLASSIC WIZARD, TIMBERLINE, OUTBOARD. I'm a geek and the Navy Fed my Addiction.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2014 9:06 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 May 2014 21:06:16 -0400

I do not think I can pick out just one moment, but most of what has made me today is the NCOs I have served under. With the good and the bad ones, I learned a lot about what it means to be a leader and how to take care of Soldiers. I believe that is what shaped me to the NCO that I am today.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 6 at 2015 2:18 PM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 14:18:03 -0500

Admittedly, I was a slow burner in the beginning of my career. I goofed up and went up for an Article 15. The amount of strong leadership and mentoring that went into ensuring that I did not end up in career suicide for one mis-step was overwhelming. I took my licks, faced the music, and grew immensely from it. I had an incredulous moment of clarity and made some decisions.

It was from then onward that I realized I was to lead, follow, or get the f*ck out of the way. I chose to lead and to follow, but never just step to the side.

The Major that tirelessly mentored "SSgt McGirr" through that event years ago is the same Colonel (R) that will pin on "Chief Master Sergeant McGirr" in a few months. She is the reason that I am who I am today--as a leader and as a person.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2015 9:20 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 09:20:13 -0500

I have been incredibly fortunate to have had some outstanding leaders, both outstandingly good and outstandingly bad, who have helped me shape my own personal list of things I will and will not be as a Soldier/NCO/person. If I must choose a single moment, situation, or person though, It would be my time working at a relief shelter after Hurricane Katrina, and the lost boy there who worked with me.

I cant remember if I have shared this story in another post before, but basically My AIT class had just completed the first phase of medical training and begun the field phase when Katrina decided to twerk all over the gulf coast. Our Commander received a call for assistance in the relief and relocation efforts, and she pulled the from the top performing students to support this task. We went to a massive building that had been converted for refugee shelter and support. That is where I met "SuperMan", a boy of about 6 who was separated from most of his family and left in the care of an aunt at the shelter.

I was in way over my head and mostly trying to stay out of the way, SuperMan, the only name he ever gave me, was an instant inspiration to me because he was utterly fearless in an environment that should have terrified him. He was the shadow of my partner and I most of the time we were there, only breaking formation to play with some other kids.

So let me get to the point. I was feeling particularly inadequate, and asked him in my frustration how he was so brave during all this. He pointed to his dirty t-shirt at a SuperMan shield and said that he was SuperMan, just like that. I asked if SuperMan was ever afraid, and he told me no, matter-of-factly, and said that Clark Kent is afraid a lot, but not SuperMan.

It hit me right in the heart, and I thought about it that night, that Clark and SuperMan were only separated by a uniform. I found an overwhelming pride and humility, if that is possible, in the uniform that I was wearing. I could be scared as Clark, but PFC Clark was a Soldier, and one with a job to do.

The next day SuperMan was transferred to another shelter where his parents were. For the rest of my time on that mission, I was in the game, and I think I might have done some good too. Not sure I would be the Soldier, work in progress as I am, today if not for him.

Thanks SuperMan.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 17 at 2015 9:52 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Feb 2015 09:52:53 -0500

For me, it was during Basic Training. I was a young kid that felt I was way over my head. Typical scared feelings of being far away from home for the first time. SSG Terrance Murphy (CSM Murphy, CSM of FLW Engineer School) was one of my platoon Drill Sergeants. I vented away to him, telling him I wanted to quit and go home. He just let me vent. And when I was done, he said he wasn't going to let me quit. Said he saw some greatness in me and that he felt I could excel in the Army. After that conversation, I felt so much better that I took to the Army like a fish to water. Every time I think about quitting something, or one of my Soldiers thinking of quitting, I think back to him and that helps me guide myself and my Soldiers.