Were you more interested in getting promoted, or in earning medals, or both?

SPC Margaret Higgins — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 07:03:50 -0400

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 7:31 AM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 07:31:32 -0400

Actually, I didn't think about either. I just wanted to do my job to the best of my ability. Worked well - I got promoted three times when I didn't even know I was under consideration.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 7:37 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 07:37:34 -0400

In boot camp, I answered a question similar to that, and my Senior Chief point at me and said to the division, "That is an officer material!". I never understand it ... All I am expressing is, rank is a responsibility, medal is to recognize what you have done. Therefore it is not up to my interest at all.

Response by SSgt David Tedrow made Oct 5 at 2015 7:51 AM

SSgt David Tedrow — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 07:51:53 -0400

Promotions mean more money but neither were what I was most interested in.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 9:49 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 09:49:29 -0400

Well, promotion and medals walk hand in hand IMHO.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 10:01 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 10:01:12 -0400

Progressing in rank means the chance to be apart of a bigger picture which means the chance to impact and change more lives which to me is my purpose, medals are achievements in your career that say you have changed lives and impacted the world so I believe that since we all strive to be excellent that both should be chased after endlessly but only while completing your job to its fullest.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Oct 5 at 2015 11:22 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 11:22:37 -0400

Medals aren't really a thing in the USMC. They're just something that comes with time. They're not tied into our promotion system, so we don't worry about them. Promotion has more value because of the responsibilities associated with it, but there is also a huge difference in the way Marines are treated with each rank. Part of it comes with the roles of each rank.

But, with TIG requirements & promotion boards (after Sgt), you just "worry" about promotions. I never worried about picking up Sgt (after you max out the scores you can). It was just a matter of time. I didn't worry about SSgt (I would have pinned it on the year after I got out). They're just a secondary thing that is so far out of your control you don't think about them.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Oct 5 at 2015 11:26 AM

Sgt Tom Cunnally — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 11:26:11 -0400

Getting promoted I always thought earning medals was out of my control & was decided by my superiors ..

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 11:43 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 11:43:04 -0400

They are both nice, though neither has ever been my goal. Of course both to a certain extent are a necessity if I want to stay in. It would be dishonest to say I don't want to be promoted, move up, make more money, etc. However, it's not why I serve, and I know many others agree. If your sole focus is either of those things, good benefits can still be achieved, but if they are a byproduct of being a good Soldier/Sailor/Airman/Marine the results will be better.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 5 at 2015 2:32 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 14:32:05 -0400

I have always thought promotion. Chasing medals is plain stupid. If you are in the military to see how many medals you can get you are in it for the wrong reason. IF you strive for promotions and learn how to use each rank effective. The medals will fall into place over a career. Gaining rank can be bad if achieved to quickly as well. So watch out, try to learn everything about your job, and take care of your Soldiers.

Response by SSG Gene Carroll SR. made Oct 5 at 2015 4:33 PM

SSG Gene Carroll SR. — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 16:33:22 -0400

Promoted. You can't buy anything with our medals.

Response by CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) made Oct 5 at 2015 5:13 PM

CW4 Russ Hamilton (Ret) — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 17:13:56 -0400

Promoted without question. Medals just come over time.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2015 11:54 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Nov 2015 11:54:42 -0500

I am more motivated by awards than promotions since awards are easier to come by. Awards to me signal that I am headed in the right direction. I dont care about promotions as long as the job is getting done. I am a SPC in SSG position in a SOF command, where rank is immaterial. When I go to the land of inferiority complexes (aka the regular Army) where people throw around rank like politicians sling mud, then I will be more focused on getting fast tracked. I know my days in SOF are numbered for the interests of a diverse career, so I am trying to get groomed to think like a SFC already.

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Feb 15 at 2016 9:29 PM

1stSgt Eugene Harless — Mon, 15 Feb 2016 21:29:00 -0500

I valued the respect of my peers and subordinates and self esteem more. Other than my Good conduct award I recieved 2 personal awards ( actually the same one twice for two different time periods).
I ran into a lot of individuals with plenty of personal awards. Some were really outstanding. some just happened to work closer to the flagpole. I stayed away from HQ as much as possible. I never served in any billet outside of a Company or Battery. Never was in any staff billets.

Response by PO1 Thomas Schauer made Mar 27 at 2020 9:48 PM

PO1 Thomas Schauer — Fri, 27 Mar 2020 21:48:41 -0400

When I recieved my Bronze Star in Nam, the General who pinned it said “when you get back to the states you can take this medal and 50 cents and you can get a 50 cent cup of coffee”