What is your Personal Credo?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 00:09:38 -0500

Everyone lives by a code. Whats yours and where does it come from?

and if you dont have one; What about your unit?

No Ragrets, Nah I'm Sayin'

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2013 12:54 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 00:54:06 -0500

Recognizing that I volunteered as a Ranger, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of my Ranger Regiment.Acknowledging the fact that a Ranger is a more elite soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of battle by land, sea, or air, I accept the fact that as a Ranger my country expects me to move further, faster and fight harder than any other soldier.Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically strong and morally straight and I will shoulder more than my share of the task whatever it may be, one-hundred-percent and then some.Gallantly will I show the world that I am a specially selected and well-trained soldier. My courtesy to superior officers, neatness of dress and care of equipment shall set the example for others to follow.Energetically will I meet the enemies of my country. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ranger word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight on to the Ranger objective and complete the mission though I be the lone survivor.Rangers Lead The Way!!!

Response by SPC Matthew Birkinbine made Nov 30 at 2013 1:21 AM

SPC Matthew Birkinbine — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 01:21:39 -0500

GO ORDNANCE!!!

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Nov 30 at 2013 3:49 AM

CW2 Joseph Evans — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 03:49:00 -0500

"Embrace the Suck"
Life is Life, take the good with the bad, because hating where you are isn't going to make it any easier or better. Head up, eye on the target, never let them know they got you on the ropes. ;)

Response by SPC Rachel Stubbs made Nov 30 at 2013 8:33 AM

SPC Rachel Stubbs — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 08:33:04 -0500

Admit to nothing, deny everything.

Sometimes it really is not your fault and you really have no clue whats going on or what happened.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2013 10:17 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 10:17:00 -0500

If you have to think about it, you shouldn’t do it.

-or-

Would I want to talk about what I did with my kids and wife at the kitchen table the next morning while we eat breakfast? if the answer is no then don’t do it.

Response by CMC Robert Young made Nov 30 at 2013 10:38 AM

CMC Robert Young — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 10:38:12 -0500

Live in such a way that no one may call into question your character.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2013 12:26 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 12:26:44 -0500

I have often joked that as long as the Command will except my sown statement with nothing but the following: “I will always place the mission first, I will never except defeat” that I would do what is being asked. 99.999% of the time they get the idea and realize that what they are asking is wrong and the “good idea fairy” goes away.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 30 at 2013 1:20 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 13:20:06 -0500

Lead by example and never ask your subordinates to do something that you are not able to do.

Response by Lt Col Luis A. Rojas made Nov 30 at 2013 3:42 PM

Lt Col Luis A. Rojas — Sat, 30 Nov 2013 15:42:02 -0500

Here are some of mine....

* " God is good, God is great...He has a purpose and plan for all of us."

* "Do unto others as you want done unto you."

* "If I'm going to take the time to do something, then do it right; otherwise don't waste you time doing it."

* "Respect others in order to be respected back."

* "Have a positive attitude, everything happens for a reason."

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2013 8:40 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 08:40:45 -0500

I'm slightly surprised that no one has gotten the "We're the Millers" Movie reference I used to initiate this discussion.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 1 at 2013 8:50 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 08:50:54 -0500

"Do it now and do it right."

Response by Cpl Glynis Sakowicz made Dec 1 at 2013 8:58 AM

Cpl Glynis Sakowicz — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 08:58:38 -0500

"Illegitimati Non Carborundum" My grandfather, a Marine and a drugstore owner, had that on a slip of paper in his wallet when he passed. My father learned latin so he could read it, and he carried that same tattered piece of paper with him. I now have a new piece of paper with me... and for those who don't know Latin... the meaning of that phrase is "Don't let the Bastards wear you down." which to me, means that you shouldn't waste time worrying over stupid crap....

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Dec 1 at 2013 5:31 PM

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Sun, 01 Dec 2013 17:31:59 -0500

What I live by is stay on the hardball and do not get in the weeds. Let your yes be yes and your no be no. Stand up for what you believe in an do not back down in the face of adversity.

Response by SPC Robert Bobo made Dec 2 at 2013 11:33 AM

SPC Robert Bobo — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 11:33:41 -0500

Control what I can control, be a good lsentner and if someone asked me for the time, I'll give it to them without telling them how to build a watch. In business , Lead from the front with focus, operational flexibility/commitment, vision, integrity and humility.

Response by CPT Mike M. made Dec 2 at 2013 12:47 PM

CPT Mike M. — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 12:47:36 -0500

One of my big philosophies is that everyone can learn something from everyone, regardless of rank. It doesn't matter if you're a General, you can learn from a Private. Everyone has a unique set of life experiences that we could take something away from. Now, occassionally, what we can learn from someone is what not to do or how not to conduct one's self but even with that, if you're able to not only learn from your mistakes but from others' then you're ahead of the game.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 2 at 2013 1:43 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 02 Dec 2013 13:43:57 -0500

Be good to people, and the majority of them will be good to you. There are charlatans, crooks, cheats, and general scum out there, and (GASP!) some of them have joined the military. However, be good to them too. This doesn't mean to be lenient; however, there is no reason to go around being a jerk. I have never yelled at a Soldier, and I don't plan on it anytime soon.

OCS taught me this. We had one cadre member, a CPT, who was a jerk all of the time. It didn't matter what the occasion; he was just a jerk. The other cadre weren't, and we learned a lot from them. I learned only two things from this particular CPT: 1) Avoid him like the plague and 2) Don't be him. I've been living my military life by that second point ever since.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2013 5:12 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 17:12:33 -0500

I have several different mottos that I live by. The first that came to mind was:

"Prepare for the Worst, but Expect the Best." This is how I try to do any planning, whether it be my Military career, or just the Family vacation.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Dec 3 at 2013 5:46 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 17:46:46 -0500

"What is best in life? To crush your enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women. "

Conan

Response by SGM Matthew Quick made Dec 3 at 2013 6:11 PM

SGM Matthew Quick — Tue, 03 Dec 2013 18:11:15 -0500

"It's YOUR career! Take control of it before someone else does."

Response by CSM Mike Maynard made Dec 4 at 2013 7:22 AM

CSM Mike Maynard — Wed, 04 Dec 2013 07:22:26 -0500

Mine come from Zig Ziglar.....

- Soldiers more attention pay to what you do than what you say.

- You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2015 8:38 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 20:38:57 -0500

Good question, SSG Adam Reed. My "personal" motto would be "Be all you can be." I kind of fell in love with that Army motto when it came out. I have tried to live my military and post-military life according to it.

My wife has a motto (most likely not original) that ties in with "Be all you can be." She says this: "Good, better, best. Never let it rest. Until your good is better and your better is best.” I Googled it and found that's a quote from a guy named Tim Duncan. I take it to mean we should always strive to do better, which is something like being all one can be.

EDIT: I continued to look and found the "Good, better, best." quote attributed to St. Jerome:

http://thinkexist.com/quotation/good-better-best-never_let_it_rest--til_your_good/151162.html

St. Jerome quotes

St. Jerome Good, better, best. Never let it rest. 'Til your good is better and your better is best.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2015 8:39 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 20:39:10 -0500

This is more motivational things and will be edited some as I can remember them.
PUSH, Persist Until Something Happens.
You are the one who has to deal with yourself each day it is you who should be happy with yourself,not with what others think.<--That is geared towards the people who say you can`t -do/be something sucsessful- because in actuality it is a reflection of their life. Another way to put it, A persons perception of the world is a reflection of what is on his\her heart.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Mar 7 at 2015 9:26 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 21:26:21 -0500

Ductus Exemplo. Set the example.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Mar 7 at 2015 9:31 PM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 21:31:04 -0500

"Don't overthink the problem"

Every problem can be overcome. Most people "Rube Goldberg" the issue. I aim "Stop the bleeding, start the breathing."

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2015 10:29 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 22:29:30 -0500

I never really thought about it honestly. Maybe I should come up with one.

I guess in a way although I never really say to too many people is "Never let them break you down!"

I will have to think of something catchy now.

Good Post!

Response by SPC David Shaffer made Mar 7 at 2015 10:47 PM

SPC David Shaffer — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 22:47:44 -0500

Always lead, never follow. If they say you can't, show them you can. Can't never did a thing( this one is from my Grandfather)

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2015 10:57 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 22:57:34 -0500

NO EXCUSES NO REGRETS.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 7 at 2015 11:01 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 23:01:40 -0500

There's no such thing as perfect or complete. There is only continuous improvement.

Response by LCDR Jamie Galus made Mar 7 at 2015 11:13 PM

LCDR Jamie Galus — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 23:13:06 -0500

Today is the day!

I borrowed it from Mel Fisher, but it is how I wrapped up khaki call every morning.

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Mar 7 at 2015 11:17 PM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 23:17:33 -0500

Deeds not Words

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Mar 7 at 2015 11:39 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 07 Mar 2015 23:39:04 -0500

I hope I live to be 1,000. I have a lot to attone for.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Mar 8 at 2015 1:06 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 01:06:10 -0500

"Don't ask permission, just seek forgiveness"

"I shoe your horse like it was mine."

"My cup is always half full"

Response by SFC Josh Jackson made Mar 8 at 2015 3:00 AM

SFC Josh Jackson — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 03:00:45 -0400

"A is A." This is the statement used to illustrate the Law of Identity. The concept of identity is important because it makes explicit that reality has a definite nature. Since reality has an identity, it is knowable. Since it exists in a particular way, it has no contradictions. It helps me to make sense of the apparently senseless.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2015 3:37 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 03:37:15 -0400

Do unto 2LTs before they do unto you and never let them salute each other...lol

Response by SSG Leonard Johnson made Mar 8 at 2015 4:34 AM

SSG Leonard Johnson — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 04:34:33 -0400

I had 2 of them....
1) pray for war, kill for peace

2) the mission of the field artillery is to kill as many godless communists bastardized along with their subhuman immoral court battalions..... And to reinstall cave dwelling as the only accepted form of life in the former communistic region

You go by these 2 models you will always win a war :-)

Response by PO1 Joan (Tipka) (Plummer) Fisher made Mar 8 at 2015 4:57 AM

PO1 Joan (Tipka) (Plummer) Fisher — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 04:57:13 -0400

Poor planning on your part does not constitute an emergency on mine. Also Don't make any rash decision unless you are willing to live with the consequences.

Response by SPC(P) Jay Heenan made Mar 8 at 2015 5:28 AM

SPC(P) Jay Heenan — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 05:28:18 -0400

I use this Gen. Colin Powell quote on all of my e-mails..

"The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help them or concluded that you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership."

In my mind, I hold all of my leadership (and myself) to this standard. I always hold out hope that they will choose to care about us junior enlisted...

Response by PO3 Brendan "Smitty" Smith made Mar 8 at 2015 5:47 AM

PO3 Brendan "Smitty" Smith — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 05:47:01 -0400

I have a personal motto. It was taught to me by my Grandfather and reinforced by my father. It's very simple. "Loyalty above all else, except honor."

Basically, Stay true to your friends, but not at the expense of staying true to your self.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Mar 8 at 2015 5:54 AM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 05:54:18 -0400

Since in being moral, one can neither be assured success or granted a reward, morality must be pursued for its own sake. Confuscious.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Mar 8 at 2015 10:40 AM

SGT Jim Z. — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 10:40:09 -0400

My motto was and still is:

Denied and re-submit in 90 days for further disapproval.

Response by MSG David Chappell made Mar 8 at 2015 10:48 AM

MSG David Chappell — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 10:48:50 -0400

This to shall pass

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2015 10:54 AM

Maj Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 10:54:02 -0400

Never demand of others that which you'd be unwilling to do yourself.

Only give orders that you could honestly explain to your subordinates' families without feeling ashamed.

Response by CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter made Mar 8 at 2015 10:57 AM

CPO Emmett (Bud) Carpenter — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 10:57:57 -0400

My dad always told me "can't can't do a damn thing"

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2015 11:23 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 11:23:12 -0400

I do favor many of the quotes here: Set the example, do unto others. All very valid quotes to live by. I favor these two quotes as well. (Yes I quoted a movie, but a valid concept of effort and execution in completion of a task):

No! Try not. Do, or do not. There is no try.

--YODA, Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2015 11:53 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 11:53:13 -0400

Three things:
1) Have faith. In God, yourself or whatever you choose but you must have faith
2) Work hard. In everything you do work like your job depends on it
3) Never quit.

Response by Cpl Michael Strickler made Mar 8 at 2015 11:58 AM

Cpl Michael Strickler — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 11:58:17 -0400

Mine has always been "Nothing lasts forever."

Be it good, bad, pain, pleasure, etc. Nothing lasts forever. Tough it out or enjoy it while it lasts.

Response by SSG Michael Rowan made Mar 8 at 2015 12:27 PM

SSG Michael Rowan — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 12:27:38 -0400

Those who rest on their laurels are doomed to become a statistic.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 8 at 2015 12:30 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 12:30:57 -0400

Motto: Illigitimi noncarborundum (don't let the bastards wear you down)

Saying: Everybody has a purpose in life. For some people it's being a bad example. (Coe's corollary to Murphy's Law)

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2015 12:32 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 12:32:46 -0400

It's a toss-up between "Survive, Fight, and Win".......and, "It is what it is." My use of either depends on the day, rotation of the Earth, my wife's mood, Baumholder weather.....etc...etc....

Response by PO2 Brendan McCarthy made Mar 8 at 2015 12:34 PM

PO2 Brendan McCarthy — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 12:34:38 -0400

Can Do!
The difficult we do at once, the impossible takes a bit longer!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2015 1:17 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 13:17:35 -0400

Hakuna Matata... I hear it means no worries... I say this all the time...lol

Response by CPO Jon Campbell made Mar 8 at 2015 2:31 PM

CPO Jon Campbell — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 14:31:50 -0400

Festina lente - ancient watchword of the Romans. It means 'hurry slowly.'

Response by CW3 Craig Linghor made Mar 8 at 2015 5:13 PM

CW3 Craig Linghor — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 17:13:28 -0400

The hardest part is showing up!

Response by COL Charles Williams made Mar 8 at 2015 7:39 PM

COL Charles Williams — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 19:39:42 -0400

Make a difference everyday; Leave things better than I found them, and don't break anything.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2015 7:43 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 19:43:59 -0400

Google it!

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Mar 8 at 2015 7:46 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 19:46:21 -0400

Don't get mad, get better.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Mar 8 at 2015 10:22 PM

CSM Charles Hayden — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 22:22:56 -0400

After losing two spouses and attaining a lot of seniority. I often think, "Does it really matter? Will it matter tomorrow?"

Response by SFC Collin McMillion made Mar 8 at 2015 10:50 PM

SFC Collin McMillion — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 22:50:50 -0400

In the name of humor, " drivers, start your engines!".

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2015 11:13 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 08 Mar 2015 23:13:39 -0400

Operor Quis Vos Narro. Operate As You Speak -or- Do What You Say.

I developed this one

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2015 1:12 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 01:12:01 -0400

What I lack in natural ability, I will make up for in effort.

Response by SGT Rik Thibodeau made Mar 9 at 2015 9:40 AM

SGT Rik Thibodeau — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 09:40:39 -0400

"A man can never have too much red wine, too many books, or too much ammunition" ~Rudyard Kipling

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2015 10:17 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 10:17:45 -0400

NO RAGRETS! NAH WUM SAIYIN?

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 9 at 2015 10:22 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 10:22:08 -0400

My wife's grandfather had a saying that many should heed today:

"Honest work never disgraced any man, but many men have disgraced honest work."

Probably need to change man and men to "Person" and "People" to fit into today's PC culture, but still oh so true!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2015 11:47 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 11:47:14 -0400

Too many serious answers....

"If you have the opportunity to go poop before a PT test, do so." - Watching people having to make poo in the middle of a PT Test.

"If the locals offer you fish and identify it as only fish from the river or fish from the sea, do not eat it" -- Eating with Iraq locals...mystery veggies, okay, mystery bread, okay...mystery fish, not okay, doesn't matter what country you're in.

"You can try anything once" -- various discussions concerning EOD techs, airborne training, dropping artillery rounds, etc.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2015 12:40 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 12:40:49 -0400

I'm a little old school; I'm surprised I didn't see the old response I believe in: Death before Dishonor. I'm just looking into this site; it will take me awhile to get accustomed to it. I must say I like to dialog back and forth. Back to my day job.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 9 at 2015 1:39 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 13:39:34 -0400

Mine is not really a motto or creed but I have a saying, "I hold myself as well as my junior personnel to higher standards, not to discourage them but because I know we can surpass them." And I have actually told this to some of my junior personnel before, "I hold you to high standards because I can see in you the ability to surpass them, whether you can see it or not."

Response by SSG Sean Knudsen made Mar 9 at 2015 5:53 PM

SSG Sean Knudsen — Mon, 09 Mar 2015 17:53:30 -0400

Stay true to the Red, White and Blue.

Response by SrA Jason Stiefer made Mar 11 at 2015 11:56 AM

SrA Jason Stiefer — Wed, 11 Mar 2015 11:56:48 -0400

Conjugati Amicitia,Vindicate Honore,Et Ducti Vero,Vivimus et Vigemus...