What is your biggest regret while serving in the military?

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 02:58:08 -0500

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2015 3:27 AM

CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 03:27:06 -0500

That it took me too long to decide what I wanted to do. When I first joined my goal was to just do my four years and punch.

I had no desire to make the military a career so I did not apply myself in ways that I should have and that could have made me more successful. In short, I was in many ways a supervisor's worst nightmare and I fought against many of the policies and principles out of ignorance and lack of understanding because I really did not care. In my head I knew more than any of the people that were in place to mentor me so I did not listen to the advice and it took me a few bumps in the road to figure things out.

Response by 1SG Jason Smith made May 28 at 2015 5:53 PM

1SG Jason Smith — Thu, 28 May 2015 17:53:21 -0400

Retiring before I was really sure I was ready to retire

Response by SPC William Clark made Jul 30 at 2015 6:02 PM

SPC William Clark — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 18:02:56 -0400

One Regret: is that with all the running I did I never ran an Marathon. I was just a marksman on the range I struggled to do the push ups and Sit ups were not much better...but I could run. I was always in the fast group (mostly to get into the shower and chow hall first) I could run as long as anyone. But I never ran a marathon. Now 23 years later I have tumors on my spine and hips. I guess I could start running....maybe i will.

And I kind of wonder if I should not have done more? I just did 4 years. Nothing fancy. Just an Army MP. No special schools (well i was sent to one but it was canceled)

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 30 at 2015 6:52 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 18:52:37 -0400

I was messed up and treated ill by the WTU at Ft Riley. They gave me a flag in a cardboard box, DD214, and managed to screw up my SBP. It was nothing like coming in.

Response by SSgt David Baker made Jul 28 at 2017 11:07 AM

SSgt David Baker — Fri, 28 Jul 2017 11:07:28 -0400

Associating with guys really on that
Were pure shitbirds.

Response by PO3 Don Dennis made Jul 31 at 2017 5:11 PM

PO3 Don Dennis — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 17:11:05 -0400

That I didnt stay in

Response by CPT Lee Gruber made Aug 2 at 2017 7:30 AM

CPT Lee Gruber — Wed, 02 Aug 2017 07:30:03 -0400

Leaving it !

Response by SGT Frank Fulcher made Jan 12 at 2018 12:18 PM

SGT Frank Fulcher — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 12:18:38 -0500

Not staying in.

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made Jan 12 at 2018 12:42 PM

SGT Dave Tracy — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 12:42:52 -0500

That I didn't get Airborne in my contract.

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made Jan 12 at 2018 12:54 PM

SFC Greg Bruorton — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 12:54:25 -0500

Because of family concerns, I declined E8 and retired with just over 20 years of service. Nevertheless, I was afforded other opportunities such as continuing college courses, playing music, and meeting new and different people. I had wanted to pin on the E8 stripes and perhaps serve as a first sergeant or section chief in a Signal or ASA company, but the strong chance of serving overseas would have been detrimental to the family matters I faced.

Response by SFC James William Bolt [ 40 Yards ] made Jan 12 at 2018 1:34 PM

SFC James William Bolt [ 40 Yards ] — Fri, 12 Jan 2018 13:34:30 -0500

The one time that I did not follow my number one rule [if it feel wrong do not do it or allow it to happen ] I let one of my men join a swimming outing and he drown in the Han River in 1953 while we were serving in the 13th Field Artillery Battalion in Korea just before the cease fire went into effect Sign 40 yards

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Apr 8 at 2019 4:52 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 08 Apr 2019 16:52:47 -0400

Being stationed at Ft Knox, Ft Hood, and Ft Riley.