Should you volunteer in the Army?

I guess I'm a cruel leader. I always would ask for volunteers without telling them what the task was. Sometimes the person who volunteered got the task of taking the afternoon off. I mixed it up. It was like Russian roulette.

Know what you're getting into.

One of the most powerful phrases in your arsenal is "What do you need done, Sir/Sgt/Etc?" which can be followed on by "I've got this going on," which allows them to make a determination whether their task is more or less important than the task you are currently doing (or about to do).

Volunteering shows willingness. Volunteering "blindly" shows something else.

But here's the deal, even crap details have rewards. You learn things, you meet people, and there are often benefits above and beyond the detail itself. The reward for hard work is more hard work. In the Services, that is usually Leadership roles. So having done a crap detail before, can often mean you will be (nominally) "in charge" of it the next time, which in turn means recognition and chances for "better" crap details. Instead of cleaning latrines, you're trusted with mowing lawns, the guarding ammo, then coordinating picnics, then running events, etc.

Do what's right for you! You can't go wrong that way!!

I recall we used to play this game for those who didn't volunteer. When asked for a volunteer, or more, the ones that didn't would get smoked. Often the smoke would last longer than the task that few volunteered for. We would fight just to volunteer. I still always volunteer whenever I can. It is ingrained in me now.

As a leader now I see those that do volunteer. When I have a school or something else to offer my soldiers I will always offer it to those that volunteer and put fourth their best effort. We notice this.

PVT (Join to see) , here's the rule of thumb:
When PSG or 1SG asks for volunteers, don't be the automatic first hand raised. Be the second or third. Blindly volunteering for anything and everything can be a detriment.

Now, this is the important part, if there are no automatic hand raisers, just as the uncomfortable stares to each other begin, that's when you want to be the first hand raised. That's when your leadership realizes you chose to be the one guy when no one else would.

Volunteer is not so much about doing everything, but about being the person willing to go the extra mile, willingly and knowingly. Any leadership worth their stitched rank patches would realize and value that.

Good on you for having an inquisitive mind, you're not in yet, but you are demonstrating the traits of someone who wants to succeed.

Welcome again brother.

Sounds trite, but it is authentic. I volunteer to help meet a need when (1) my faith calls me to do so, (2) if I have spare time in my schedule , (3) if my superiors give permission because my volunteering won't detract from my full engagement in the mission. If I gain recognition, that's a bonus. I volunteer for the intangible rewards. Not for the praise and medals.

I volunteered once during basic and ended up mowing grass, The E-4 in charge of the detail let us order a Pizza! Drill SGT's Green and Coder would have had a melt down if they had found out.

The general "rule" is not to volunteer for anything, PVT (Join to see), but I submit to you that if you want to get ahead, be noticed, and learn things, you should go ahead and volunteer for some things.

I would caution you not to volunteer for everything, you'll be seen as a brown-noser, but do volunteer for some things - especially the hard or unpleasant things that nobody else wants to do - and you will get noticed. Volunteering for tasks could help you build your knowledge and skills, and it will certainly get you noticed as a guy who is willing to go above and beyond, and - if you do a good job at those tasks - you'll eventually become the go-to guy that your leaders call when they need someone they know they can count on.

So, despite the general rule against volunteering, there are actually quite a few good things that can result if you volunteer.

research. think before you open your mouth, and know what you are getting into. as far as schools anyway. as far as details go, you are a lower enlisted,therefore you are already volunteered, so don't try avoiding the work because it puts a target on your back. a lot of times avoiding the work is harder work than the work itself.

Volunteering can be a double edged sword......but a fulfilling one as well. Yes, there are times when you volunteer that you could end up pulling crap duty......BUT......you always volunteering when your peers are not, will set you ahead of them and your leaders will come to you to get things done because you have shown a track history of taking the jobs no one wants and getting them done. Which leads to awards, faster promotions, more time off, or other perks they may offer.