What do consider to be your greatest professional accomplishment (military or civilian)?

2018-07-01T13:15:54-04:00

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2018 1:23 PM

2018-07-01T13:23:28-04:00

This may sound self-serving but........ being commissioned at age 33 years 9 months and later making the rank of major in 2012 and completing CGSOC (Army service school required to get promoted to lieutenant colonel) getting a 92% average on my intermediate level education all while working 55 hours a week at United Parcel Service and spending all my weekends trying to get caught up on my studies. Accomplishing this school while burning both ends against the middle maintaining my physical fitness and Sanity at age 53. I'm 55 now and hopefully next week I find out if I made the selection to O-5.

Response by LT Brad McInnis made Jul 1 at 2018 1:25 PM

2018-07-01T13:25:58-04:00

When I worked at Afloat Training Group, we found there was a lack of training availabilities to do acoustic analysis (listening to sonar signals to determine source) for anti-submarine warfare. Turned to my division, and told them I am tired of you guys complaining about it all the time. Fix it... Within about 4 weeks, they had come up with a lab that had computers for 16 sailors at a time to acoustic analysis away from the ship with senior analysts. Most importantly, they did it at no cost. They scrounged the office space, and parts all from the Chief network. Granted, it became such a success that it was subsumed by another command.... but I couldn't have been prouder of my division!

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jul 1 at 2018 1:33 PM

2018-07-01T13:33:12-04:00

Bringing my people home alive.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Jul 1 at 2018 1:52 PM

2018-07-01T13:52:09-04:00

Military -becoming an instructor at Ft.Polk La.after my tour in Vietnam
Civilian- becoming a certified welder in my forties in the electric utilities

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2018 1:59 PM

2018-07-01T13:59:38-04:00

I agree with CAPT Kevin B. My time in Iraq in 2003 was by far my greatest accomplishment. I had gone to theater with 19 Soldiers and I came home with 19 Soldiers. At that point I had been in the Military for 20 Combined Years with ARNG, Reserve and Active Duty I was a fairly new Captain ( O3, Army) at the time, and used nearly every tidbit of former training I had ever received including Medical, Signal, Individual, and Operational...Combat LifeSaver/Medic(68W), Small Arms Repair (SAM131), Convoy Ops (14,000 miles), Live Fire OPS, SATCOM, HFRS, DNVT, AFN Computer & Biomedical Repair, Train the Trainer etc. It was the most amazing, most dangerous and most rewarding. I was attached to the IOWA National Guard in the 109th Area Support Medical BN and served as their BN S6. I couldn't have asked for a better group of Citizen Soldiers to have served with.

Response by Ken Kraetzer made Jul 1 at 2018 2:06 PM

2018-07-01T14:06:37-04:00

Initiating effort to donate the Jewish Chaplains Monument (far right) to Arlington National Cemetery, which required a joint resolution from Congress, and speaking at the dedication on Oct. 24, 2011 at the Memorial Amphitheater in front on 1,000 including family of the Chaplains honored. For first time all four of the "Four Chaplains" honored on Chaplains Hill in Sections 2.

Response by SSG Brian Carpenter made Jul 1 at 2018 2:44 PM

2018-07-01T14:44:34-04:00

My biggest military accomplishment? I would have to say was as a Platoon Sergeant. I influenced a great deal of different MOS's to be the the best they could not only in their MOS but as a soldier also. Not only Soldiers but NCO's and quite a few 2nd and 1st LT's too (Sir) lol.most of which went on to be XO and CO.

Response by Maj Robert Thornton made Jul 1 at 2018 2:51 PM

2018-07-01T14:51:20-04:00

Completing the nurse anesthesia course at Wilford Hall Medical Center. This set up my next 30 years of my practice, military and civilian.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2018 4:33 PM

2018-07-01T16:33:13-04:00

Receiving Distinguished Honor Graduate from the All-Source Intelligence Analyst AIT is my proudest achievement SO FAR!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 1 at 2018 4:34 PM

2018-07-01T16:34:54-04:00

Leading a company with high morale and discipline.

Response by CW5 Ranger Dave made Jul 1 at 2018 5:01 PM

2018-07-01T17:01:09-04:00

As an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector (career #2), I completed an entire check-ride and signed a Statement of Demonstrated Ability (FAA Medical SODA certificate) for a young lady that was a Paraplegic in a wheelchair, proclaiming she was officially a certified PILOT. She had been in an crippling automobile accident and worked very hard in a specially modified Piper with hand controls. She flew better than most pilots with no mobility issues. I went home that day loving my job and thanking the good Lord for allowing me to be part of that experience. What a joyous thread in my life.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jul 1 at 2018 6:29 PM

2018-07-01T18:29:51-04:00

Singing on the radio. CPT Private RallyPoint Member

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2018 7:46 PM

2018-07-01T19:46:35-04:00

Ranger School, never thought I’d say it, bit its true!

Response by LTC John Shaw made Jul 1 at 2018 9:45 PM

2018-07-01T21:45:15-04:00

Military - Deployment in the Surge of 2010 - 2011 Kandahar, Afghanistan as Chief of Operations / DPTMS for the NATO Base, I have never slept so little and had so many rocket attacks and Memorial Ramp ceremonies, it was a suck. Sometimes surviving is winning.
Civilian - I have managed lots of systems and had projects with large teams, but I am really proud that code I wrote in the early 1990s is still being used according to friends that work there.
One in IBM Assembler and the other in COBOL 2, languages I have not coded in for many years.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2018 11:00 PM

2018-07-01T23:00:19-04:00

Surpassing 230,000 influence points on RP

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 1 at 2018 11:03 PM

2018-07-01T23:03:40-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member Started work on the Space Shuttle Program, three years before the first flight, and stayed until one month after the last Space Shuttle landed. I was honored to be part of the team for 33 years. I only served four years, but coming home alive from Vietnam was an accomplishment for me. Sadly, some of my fellow brothers did not make it home alive.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2018 5:28 AM

2018-07-02T05:28:29-04:00

WH Rose Garden ceremony to receive award as “An Icon of the Cold War” for low profile work developing, managing, and exfiltrating senior assets from East Germany and the Soviet Union, serving as relief pilot documenting arms trade in the Middle East and SubSaharan Africa, and surviving painful interrogation, trial, sentencing, mock execution in Hohenschönhausen prison. Warmest Regards, Sandy :)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2018 8:39 AM

2018-07-02T08:39:48-04:00

Knowing the when to use the word "you" after do. In reality, it was not an accomplishment, but being on my own brothers funeral detail and handing his flag to my parents was my most important moment in my 17 year career so far.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Jul 2 at 2018 8:50 AM

2018-07-02T08:50:25-04:00

Being selected for SAC FB-111 aircrew training when the aircraft was new to SAC and selection was highly competitive.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Jul 2 at 2018 9:41 AM

2018-07-02T09:41:45-04:00

working on my 2nd retired with government, at end of this ride I'll have 40 years MIL/CIV 8 years to go. I'm done at 57 years old.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 2 at 2018 10:05 AM

2018-07-02T10:05:05-04:00

Earning a Ph.D. and retirement from the Military.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jul 2 at 2018 12:23 PM

2018-07-02T12:23:17-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member I Consider my last 6 years after serving 37 years in the military to be the greatest accomplishment, now helping Veterans and Service Members, Saving Lives, starting my "Warriors for Life" Group Support online every Sunday, getting Veterans jobs through the Victory for Veterans Foundation partnerhsip with Etec and their IT Apprenticeship Program, helping to reduce Veteran Suicides through RIDE22, and placing a flower on graves at Veteran Cemeteries with Memorial Day Flower Foundation each Memorial Day.

https://victoryforveterans.org/who-we-are/services/warriors-for-life/

https://victoryforveterans.org/who-we-are/services/it-apprenticeship/
https://youtu.be/_28mlbvflZ0

WARRIORS FOR LIFE - Victory for Veterans

Victory For Veterans Advocates on behalf of Veterans. Our weekly support groups deal with folks dealing with PTS, TBI, MST or other challenges? In addition to our weekly support calls we have a closed, private and confidential facebook group where further conversations and

Response by SSgt Holden M. made Jul 2 at 2018 12:27 PM

2018-07-02T12:27:57-04:00

For military professional accomplishment it is kind of split. I would have to say my deployment from April 2010 to October 2010 was quite the accomplishment it was filled with professional and personal growth, along with a lot of interesting other stuff that comes with a deployment to Kandahar Afghanistan. And working in a 1 stars front office under two different one stars. But it was the first one star general that made the biggest impact and was an awesome accomplishment when he came back to put on his second star and he coined me as a two star general. He truly and genuinely cared about people and their families along with the mission and his wife was equally awesome as an individual. And I haven't really been in the civilian world long enough to really have any professional accomplishments yet.

Response by Lt Col Lanett Moser made Jul 2 at 2018 1:42 PM

2018-07-02T13:42:00-04:00

Making Msgt and delivery supervisor with the POSTAL service In Feb 2002 Graduating as a BMET IN 1990

Response by SFC Francisco Rosario made Jul 2 at 2018 2:07 PM

2018-07-02T14:07:55-04:00

Being able to touch and mold the lives of young soldiers and see them develop and become better leaders and great human beings. I was able to do this more than a few times, only to see them later down the road thriving in their careers and lives.

Response by SrA Matthew Oneil made Jul 2 at 2018 6:41 PM

2018-07-02T18:41:03-04:00

competing as an athlete, winning conclusively, getting the result accredited, and bringing the results together to turn pro. ACCREDITATION, CONCLUSIVE RESULT, RECORD RETRIEVAL.

Response by CDR William Kramer made Jul 3 at 2018 8:45 AM

2018-07-03T08:45:41-04:00

I can think of a couple of them.
As Ship's Navigator on my second ship, I took the ship across the Atlantic Ocean four times using a Sextant and the stars to guide us.
As Ordnance Officer of my first ship, I got all 22 of my people who ranged from E2 up to E7 promoted at least once during my time aboard.

Response by Sgt Nick Cowden made Jul 4 at 2018 10:28 AM

2018-07-04T10:28:33-04:00

Leading a project in Thailand to build a wheelchair ramp for a school that had anout 100 students that couldn't use stairs because they were in wheelchairs or had other physical disabilities. It was a continuous ramp that span 3 flights of stairs. When I watched them use that wheelchair ramp it was one of the best things I have ever done. They had a elevator that could hold 2 people and looked like it would collapse at anytime. Being given the opportunity to build that is still something I look back on and realize how simple things can really mean the most.

Response by Brad Miller made Jul 6 at 2018 12:52 AM

2018-07-06T00:52:57-04:00

My greatest professional accomplishment -- I would have to say that while I was working as a fast food manager (after I got P-3'd by the Army), I convinced 4 of my employees to enlist, rather than stay on the minimum wage-gang banger lifestyle they were headed for.

Response by LTC Jack Regan made Jul 6 at 2018 11:49 AM

2018-07-06T11:49:03-04:00

This is a bit different for sure, but I think my greatest accomplishment occurred in Korea. For two years I volunteered at the Seoul Zoo during whenever I could and worked with their elephants. With my wife's help we revamped their whole program and set up a whole new care system for the animals. We got an award from the Mayor of Seoul, written up in Stars and Stripes, a lot of Korean newspapers, and all three Korean television networks.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2018 5:44 AM

2018-07-08T05:44:53-04:00

I think my greatest professional accomplishment to this point was simply making E-7 in just over 9 years. It has set me up to be a SNCO where I feel like I finally have the stripes to really be able to make things happen & take care of my people. Being a Wing Annual Awards winner is probably a close second & definitely contributed to the first.

Response by MSgt Dale Johnson made Jul 8 at 2018 12:30 PM

2018-07-08T12:30:54-04:00

Probably the greatest facility achievement for me was and outstanding ORI rating we received back in the early 90's. We were told we were the first ever Air Traffic Control facility in SAC to pass an ORI with not a single write-up, finding, or deficiency. We were actually recognized for several of the things we were doing to improve Training and Readiness. At the time I was Training Manager at Barksdale AFB Tower, and Base Air Traffic Control Operational Readiness Inspector. So it was my job to ensure not only all the paperwork was correct but to also evaluate and correct any procedures that were not IAW Regs, Manuals and Ops Letters.

Training Records and Daily Logs are two things that the ORI Teams nit pick down to the last tittle. If you don't dot that "i" or cross that "t" they will find it, and it is a write up. No matter how small. I know this is pales in comparison to what many have done, but I put in a lot of 16 to 19 hour days in preparation. Of course the Chief got all the glory, but our Commander and I knew who did all the work, that was the important part of it.

Response by SPC William Szkromiuk made Jul 8 at 2018 12:55 PM

2018-07-08T12:55:31-04:00

After the Army, I had the opportunity to hire and fill positions at the companies I worked for. It was an honor for me to try to fill those positions with Veterans. I did so probably 80% of the time.
I was rewarded by two of those individuals by telling me that I was the best "supervisor" they ever had. One had served as the Chief of the Boat on a Boomer. And the other was an Air Force E-6 that had been shot down out of his B-52 in Vietnam. That has always been a source of pride and my greatest accomplishment.
HIRE VETS!

Response by SP5 Arthur Ben Ephraim made Jul 8 at 2018 5:20 PM

2018-07-08T17:20:56-04:00

FAILING to send a NO CODE launch command by RAPCOM Launch command of 390th Strategic Missile Wing Squadrons 570 and 571 and start World War III.

Response by SGT Larry Reed made Jul 11 at 2018 3:47 PM

2018-07-11T15:47:00-04:00

My greatest accomplishment in 1980 during peacetime after studying with a friend every day was passing and receiving by E.I.B!

Response by SGT Steven Sanderson made Jul 23 at 2018 12:03 PM

2018-07-23T12:03:56-04:00

During my time in the US military, I was in a supervisory position eight & 1/2 years. No one was severely injured or died. During my civilian career, I was in a supervisory position 22 years. No one was severely injured or killed. I received meritorious commendations for duty above and beyond while serving in the military and awards for employee and supervisor of the month and year and best idea of the year that saved hundreds of thousands of dollars of lost product and productivity at the nations largest commercial bakery. I was totally pleased with my personal accolades but what brought me the best satisfaction and what I am most proud of is while getting the mission accomplished well (both military & civilian), I was able to do this without severe injury or death to anyone entrusted to me. I thank my "crews" for helping me make this happen.

Response by Christie Barrett made Jul 25 at 2018 6:34 PM

2018-07-25T18:34:59-04:00

Medal of Valor

Response by Christie Barrett made Jul 25 at 2018 6:40 PM

2018-07-25T18:40:07-04:00

My Medal of Valor for preventing a Vietnam vet from burning himself, 4 police officers (including myself) and 6 firefighters to death. He was really pissed I prevented him from completing his act.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Jul 30 at 2018 2:58 PM

2018-07-30T14:58:09-04:00

Being dad to my daughter and helping her through her problems.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2018 2:48 PM

2018-08-01T14:48:57-04:00

I don't think a lot of people truly have a life altering moment, and even if you do, there are usually only 1 or 2 times it happens; but I had one while I was deployed in Afghanistan.

I was a medic and 20 years old at the time. There was this one Afghan soldier who was really cool with all of us. He was also medic/mortarman, and spoke almost as good English as some of the interpreters. He was also a really good soldier, something rare in the ANA. We called him BoomBoom

One day the ANA went on mission without US troops and got hit. BoomBoom was hit with an IED and was peppered from head to toe with shrapnel. They came back to the COP, and we started treating the casualties. I saw BoomBoom and started working on him.

A few months before we went back to the states, he came back garbed in white robes or w/e. He saw me and shook my hand and thanked me, and he said he owed me a drink.

That moment changed my life forever, and it made me want to pursue a career where I can make people whole again and I'm in college to become a robotic engineer so I can make limbs and machines to give people a second chance at normal lives they wouldn't necessarily have.

Response by SSG Brian Carpenter made Aug 1 at 2018 9:03 PM

2018-08-01T21:03:46-04:00

I must let this out there. I am absolutely livid that a SFC, a fellow NCO, would dare even hint that I did not hold my position as a Plt Sgt. I respect this site and I don't expect that kind of behavior here. But since you are either a new era NCO and have no respect for your brothers or you are a retired soldier from years gone by. I rather doubt years gone by as SSG's have been plt sgts since Vietnam. But what I'm saying is if you meant it as a malicious remark and you are not even service verified on the sight that maybe you should think twice before being rude and an a$$**** and explain yourself

Response by 1LT Marcus Chalfant made Aug 4 at 2018 10:06 PM

2018-08-04T22:06:38-04:00

Having both my sons follow in my footsteps to become Field Artillery Officers in the Army!

Response by SSG Shawn Mcfadden made Aug 11 at 2018 9:16 AM

2018-08-11T09:16:24-04:00

My greatest Military Accomplishment was helping my fellow NCO's bring our Soldiers back from war alive.

Response by CWO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2018 8:25 PM

2018-08-11T20:25:28-04:00

Keeping my sanity after almost 24 years and retiring!

Response by SSgt Pphantom Wardog made Aug 17 at 2018 10:57 AM

2018-08-17T10:57:12-04:00

Arrest and conviction of child killer and rapist Homer (Butch) Teel in 1987. https://law.justia.com/cases/tennessee/supreme-court/1990/793-s-w-2d-236-2.html

State v. Teel

State v. Teel - 793 S.W.2d 236

Response by CPL Bill Schroeder made Aug 17 at 2018 11:04 AM

2018-08-17T11:04:49-04:00

Arrest and conviction of Child Killer and Rapist Homer (Butch) Teel in 1986. https://law.justia.com/cases/tennessee/supreme-court/1990/793-s-w-2d-236-2.html

State v. Teel

State v. Teel - 793 S.W.2d 236

Response by 1SG John Highfill made Aug 23 at 2018 10:59 AM

2018-08-23T10:59:17-04:00

Never losing a Soldier and receiving the Transportation Corps Saint Christopher Medal

Response by 1SG John Highfill made Aug 23 at 2018 11:01 AM

2018-08-23T11:01:02-04:00

I forgot to add my Air Medal awarded 1972 in Viet Nam

Response by SPC Russell T. Andrews made Aug 23 at 2018 1:18 PM

2018-08-23T13:18:54-04:00

Volunteering for military service at the age of seventeen (17) years of age in the new all volunteer Army in 1973.Doing AIT in Ft.Sill ,Ok .Serving 18 months in Germany as a Pershing Professional and having copleted
this task with honor in a two year period.This means being a proud Military Veteran at the age of nineteen (19) yrs of age.I was just getting started!

Response by SSG Patrick Sloan made Sep 3 at 2018 11:17 PM

2018-09-03T23:17:24-04:00

Earning the name "Doc".

Response by SPC Diane Price made Sep 16 at 2018 7:48 PM

2018-09-16T19:48:39-04:00

I chair the oldest Armed Forces Day Parade in the US. I've been the Chair since 2004. As a Veteran, I'm very honored and proud of recognizing today's military and the veterans in our county.

Response by PO2 John Driskill made Sep 17 at 2018 9:31 PM

2018-09-17T21:31:02-04:00

That I survived 10 years in the military, 32 years as a police officer without getting shot. "Nothing in life is so exhilarating as to be shot at without result." Winston Churchill

Response by 1SG Dale Cantrell made Sep 23 at 2018 8:45 AM

2018-09-23T08:45:56-04:00

As an PSG E7, went into combat with 32 soldiers for a year and coming home with 32 soldiers

Response by SGM Michael Womer made Sep 30 at 2018 9:43 AM

2018-09-30T09:43:52-04:00

Watching the soldiers I had in my only assignment as a 1SG get promoted to 1SG and CSM, it makes me feel like I did something right. As a civilian rising to the position of Vice President in a Defense Contractor Company, and as a man giving my life to Jesus Christ

Response by Cpl Mark A. Morris made Nov 26 at 2018 7:38 AM

2018-11-26T07:38:35-05:00

1Lt,
The realization I should/can help others with my skills as a Sonographer and as a squared away professional who has crossed over many hurdles.
I have found, a lot of people are scared and want to talk. I do have to be careful. But, listening to patients is sometimes all they need to move forward calmly. Performing exams on Veterans and active duty persons is a joy. We have the world's problems solved in 5min.
Thank you for asking the question 1Lt.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2019 12:51 PM

2019-12-08T12:51:53-05:00

My performance of 453 Military Funeral Honors.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2019 1:23 PM

2019-12-08T13:23:03-05:00

Hasn’t happened yet but in 6 days I will commission. This has been a 5 year process that involved me taking multiple college course on active duty to include early mornings on Saturdays and during field exercises.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 8 at 2019 4:08 PM

2019-12-08T16:08:19-05:00

Well I was gonna say becoming a father but speaking strictly careers then probably being the nco my soldiers deserved and the nco I swore I would be.

Response by SSG Harry Herres made Aug 11 at 2020 12:05 PM

2020-08-11T12:05:27-04:00

All my people in Nam came home, I was able to do the same for 27 years as a sheriff dept. Patrol supervisor. Everyone went home to their families