What is something you would tell your younger self to do, to better your career?

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 14:26:27 -0500

IE: Do Skillport classes, go Airborne, save more money, etc.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Feb 25 at 2016 2:42 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 14:42:55 -0500

Actually I told myself to listen to what my Grandfather and Mother had to say about the Great Depression and how you needed to get/hold things that are hard to take away. "Save" money is not correct. Take some money and make it work for you (TSP, 401, etc.). Education can't be taken away from you. Like it or not, you do well when you have and do what 50% or more of the population can't or won't do. Not many become successful through dumb luck; just enough to go viral on the web. So the usual stuff aside I would tell my younger self to forgive sooner and more readily, especially forgiving one's self. So the moral of the story is to improve yourself, capability, outlook, focus, etc. The career will take care of itself. There's a lot of "to do's" out there in regards to careers. I"d suggest focusing on the "to be's" and then you'll "do" better.

Response by SSgt Donnavon Smith made Feb 25 at 2016 2:43 PM

SSgt Donnavon Smith — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 14:43:10 -0500

Lose weight

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2016 2:54 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 14:54:17 -0500

Go Warrant Officer as soon as possible

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2016 4:18 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 16:18:47 -0500

Do five years enlisted before even considering seeking a commission. I'd have made much wiser/productive choices in my mid-late 20s then I did in my late teens-early 20s.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2016 4:39 PM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 16:39:55 -0500

Finish College...

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2016 6:40 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 18:40:33 -0500

"Listen up, Airborne! On July 23rd 1993 keep your feet and knees together or it is going to hurt very badly".

Response by SGM Mike Barbieri made Feb 25 at 2016 9:38 PM

SGM Mike Barbieri — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 21:38:18 -0500

Stay away from the nice ladies on Bragg Blvd.

Avoid those buy here, pay here car lots.

Don't listen when she tells you she is on the pill.

The list could go on forever...

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 25 at 2016 11:30 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 25 Feb 2016 23:30:17 -0500

Improve written and oral communication skills as well as networking with others.

Response by SGM Mike Barbieri made Feb 26 at 2016 6:56 AM

SGM Mike Barbieri — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 06:56:11 -0500

All kidding aside the problem isn't necessarily lack of good advice from experienced folks. It's that we all are horrible at following it when we are 18 years old. We all knew what we were doing and we probably said something to that effect when asked. Learning through pain in some cases made us who we are and allowed us to share those experiences with the next generation...who will learn a little from them, but they know what they are doing too...

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2016 9:57 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 09:57:35 -0500

I would have finished my college degree sooner.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2016 2:14 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 14:14:14 -0500

Keep your mouth shut.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2016 4:19 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 26 Feb 2016 16:19:23 -0500

I've learned in my short time being an adult is to get EVERYTHING in writing. From hand receipts to port configurations.......... Cover your six

Response by PFC Travis Stone made Jun 24 at 2020 7:38 PM

PFC Travis Stone — Wed, 24 Jun 2020 19:38:03 -0400

Keep my mouth shut and ears open. And use my freaking head. I was just a stupid PFC doing stupid PFC stuff.