What is the best way to further your military career?

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.

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.

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

-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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.