What is the best way to further your military career?

2015-04-14T00:42:18-04:00

As being relatively new to the Army, I'm looking for input on what might be the best way to better my career. Any input would be helpful.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 14 at 2015 12:49 AM

2015-04-14T00:49:43-04:00

First live Army Values, and always strive to do your very best on every task given.

Education is the key to furthering your military and civilian career!!!!! Both, Military and Civilian Education. Learn as much as you can. Be a sponge!!! Then, share what you learn, and give back.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2015 12:57 AM

2015-04-14T00:57:57-04:00

Completing SSD1 as early as possible is a great way to start your career off the right way. I have two PV2s in my squad that already completed their SSD1 and are doing everything they can to prove to me that they want to outshine everyone they can in our platoon.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2015 1:44 AM

2015-04-14T01:44:35-04:00

1. Work your ass off.
2. Be a sponge when around those who have knowledge and experience.
3. Have INTEGRITY.

So basically, the exact same things that bring success in the civilian world.

Response by SSG Melvin Nulph made Apr 14 at 2015 1:49 AM

2015-04-14T01:49:00-04:00

You're taking a smart step already, "being smart enough to ask".

Response by SGT Robert Hawks made Apr 14 at 2015 2:25 AM

2015-04-14T02:25:12-04:00

Study go to soldier of the month boards enroll in military education correspondence courses .

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2015 2:48 AM

2015-04-14T02:48:03-04:00

Although you have already gotten great advice, in addition to living the army values, is to make sure you're deployable, promotable, and qualified in your mos. Again you keep tab on your medical readiness, apft, weapons Quals, do the online stuff required, get college courses while you can, complete your ssds, file your family care plan if and when you get married and have kids. Don't waste time to get better, and be patient, you can always do the right thing and still not be promoted, but your attitude goes a long way among peers, subordinates and seniors

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2015 3:07 AM

2015-04-14T03:07:23-04:00

Hello Young Troop and how are you?
I always advise my young Soldiers to take advantage of everything you are earning in the Military. Tuition Assistance (T.A.). Even if you only take one class a Semester it sets you up for success in the Military and Civilian life.
Ensure that you have your Self-Structured Development completed as soon as possible. It does not take too long and a requirement.
Start doing Correspondence Courses. These assist in promotion points as well as the College Credits.
Start studying for boards by reading the ARMY Doctrine and Training Publications (ADP's). If you win at certain levels you should receive Awards.
Another thing you can do is try to Volunteer some of your time.

When you attend a Leadership Development Course always do your best! Do not see it as a burden to attend. Stay Focused and try to become the Distinguished Honor Graduate.

All of these will assist you. I hope this helps.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2015 3:28 AM

2015-04-14T03:28:33-04:00

The honest answer is to always do what's right, and always strive to be the best at your job. If you can maintain 100% integrity and be known as a reliable person, you'll go far.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Apr 14 at 2015 12:12 PM

2015-04-14T12:12:48-04:00

First and foremost, you need to define what your goals are, both short and long term. Your goals are what are going to drive your actions through your career. Are you staying in or getting out? Do you want to remain enlisted or do you want to become an officer? Etc, etc. Once you have your goals in mind, THEN make your plan. Schooling (both military and civilian) never hurts. Then look at your leaders and see what they have done to get where they are. Part of being a leader is showing your subordinates the way to get to where you are in your career.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Apr 14 at 2015 3:42 PM

2015-04-14T15:42:55-04:00

Right uniform, right time, right place, follow orders, don't deviate from the plan once the commander has made the call... You'll rise fast.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 14 at 2015 3:52 PM

2015-04-14T15:52:44-04:00

Commit yourself to a lifetime of learning

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 14 at 2015 8:08 PM

2015-04-14T20:08:30-04:00

When I had soldiers I knew who the Studs and Duds were. You be that stud who your superiors know you will go to hell and back to make it happen. If you fail the effort is noticed. Now I have a warning for being high speed low drag, you will get more work handed your way. It's not fair but that is reality. Kick ass in every facet of your life!

Response by SMSgt Thomas Chatburn made Apr 14 at 2015 8:11 PM

2015-04-14T20:11:09-04:00

Associate yourself with good people as your friends. Hanging around with losers only leads to failure. Stay sober.

Response by 1SG Brian Allen made Apr 14 at 2015 9:47 PM

2015-04-14T21:47:00-04:00

A great way to better yourself and your career is to continue your education. Develop professionally and personally. Also seek additional tasks or missions. Prove you are capable of completing tasks with little or no supervision. Set the example and be proficient in your job/skills.

Response by SPC Patrick Gearardo made Apr 15 at 2015 7:40 AM

2015-04-15T07:40:33-04:00

If you want to make it a career, hang out with other soldiers who plan on making the military a career as well.

I never wanted to make it my career, and thus, hung around like-minded individuals who were there 'short' time.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 15 at 2015 8:01 AM

2015-04-15T08:01:39-04:00

There have been a ton of oustanding suggestions, I would only add: In every Good leader there is some bad, and every bad leader there is some good. Take the good and make it your own, discard the rest.

Also, be the best JNN operator the Army has seen. Not only will this help the Army, it will significantly benefit you when it is your time to hang up your hat.

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 26 at 2015 4:03 PM

2015-04-26T16:03:32-04:00

Go to Ranger school, that's what I'm doing, I leave in a few days and if I make it back with a tab I've been told I'm getting promoted

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 9 at 2015 4:04 PM

2015-06-09T16:04:17-04:00

The unfortunate circumstance of being a stud is you will get over worked, unless you have leaders who address this unfairness.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 16 at 2015 8:09 PM

2015-06-16T20:09:17-04:00

-Dont be in TOO much of a hurry to get promoted. I say this from experience. I went from E-1 to E-5 in less than 3 years. I was a 21 year old NCO that barely new mudd from shitt. Things seasoned SPC's knew, I was still learning. Had to lear the hard way through some very embarrassing situations
- Learn your profession and latch on to a good NCO in your AO, hopefully your squad leader, and take the good while observing the bad. Always observe, and keep your mouth to a minimum unless required or necessary.
-start mapping out your career goals. Write them down and read them daily. It reminds you every day what you need to do, to get where your going. I knew i wanted to be ARSOF in some capacity as a young joe. Read a few pamphlets, made a choice and put my nose in the dirt
-Finally, request, volunteer, fight claw and scratch for every and any school offered. Be ambitious in that sense. Thats was one of the things i did to be eligible for promotion. With a downsizing Army and budget cuts everywhere, getting schools isnt what it used to be. So when the opportunity comes around, you take it no matter how "gay" the joe on extra duty says it is.

Get out there and do something
Danny

Response by SGT Charles Cameron made Jun 17 at 2015 6:55 PM

2015-06-17T18:55:42-04:00

One way to advance and grow, is to get into some NRCC's (Non Residence Correspondence Courses ). There MANY that, I hope, you can really get into, on any subject the Army has to offer.

Response by CSM Patrick Durr made Jul 28 at 2019 10:30 PM

2019-07-28T22:30:39-04:00

Take harder non traditional assignments as they come along. Always act as team or squad or platoon leader if needed regardless of rank. Priority 1 assignments have to be filled near 100% by army manning. Take one every other assignment.