What Motivates You?

1SG DeyShuan Shepherd — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 07:56:10 -0400

Do you feel like you are still in the hunt for advancement, the dream job, or are you settled where you are in life? What wakes you up in the morning? Motivation is critical to an outstanding or even bearable military career?

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Oct 30 at 2013 10:42 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 10:42:26 -0400

MSG, Even though I am a family oreinted person and I love my time with my family, love being with soldiers and my fellow NCOs. That motivates to get up in the morning, making my coffee and going to PT.

Response by CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2013 12:41 PM

CW3(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 12:41:09 -0400

My career just started over. As a new Warrant in my unit I am motivated to get out there and make a name for myself and for the Warrant Officer Corp. I am proud of what I am doing, and I cannot wait to see what the next 10 or more years takes me. I have plans for what and where I what to go do for the Army. I am already thinking 2 pay grades ahead by planning for my future jobs.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2013 6:45 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 18:45:27 -0400

I am in the same boat as Mr. Baker, My career has started over but I get to take all my years as an NCO and apply it to my officer career (Career Plan, Mentors, Jobs, etc.). I look forward to my next positions and future jobs, 5, 10, and 15 years down the road. For example, I am motived for my next position, Company Command. I enjoy planning and thinking about what I am going to do when I get that next position.

I still get that feeling of excitement when Monday comes and I get to put on the uniform. When I stop feeling that way, I think I will retire.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2013 7:02 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 19:02:58 -0400

What motivates me is my family. I feel blessed to have them and they help me keep going no matter what is throw at me. We have been through a lot of rough times together but we have always gotten through it. I am very thankful for them.

Response by CMC Robert Young made Oct 30 at 2013 8:44 PM

CMC Robert Young — Wed, 30 Oct 2013 20:44:23 -0400

MSG, I have only three and half years left before mandatory retirement, but I'm still in the hunt. I wouldn't complain if it all ended tomorrow, but as long as I have breath, there will other things to be done.

I rely on two things daily; that internal desire to do more, and then the support my family offers. If I do my part about focusing, they'll do their part to cheer me on.

Response by SFC James Baber made Dec 24 at 2013 9:27 PM

SFC James Baber — Tue, 24 Dec 2013 21:27:58 -0500

Short and sweet, training the next generation of Soldiers for our future forces.

Response by CPT Brandon Christensen made Dec 25 at 2013 5:21 PM

CPT Brandon Christensen — Wed, 25 Dec 2013 17:21:23 -0500

My son (2.5 yrs old) motivates me each and every day. I want him to see me doing the best I can each and every day so then he can aim and surpass me in life goals.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2014 7:01 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 14 Feb 2014 19:01:56 -0500

MSG Shepherd.

Fear that someone will die, suffer, or become impaired for life if I get careless or mess up. Pride that many patients recovered as fully as possible in my care. Compassion and a keen desire to comfort anyone who is suffering from serious injury, disease, burns, poisoning, parasites, and/or wounds. Anger about people who murder, rape, torture, and/or otherwise take advantage of anyone who cannot fight back effectively. An unquenchable thirst for knowledge that may help us make a difference in the world. Desire to mentor and train those who may some day follow our footsteps so that they do not need to repeat our most serious mistakes.

Love for my family and my extended family of sisters and brothers from the military.

Commitment to use my limited resources to help others who cannot help themselves.

Warmest Regards, Sandy ( http://www.linkedin.com/in/armynurse )

Response by SSG Andrew Dydasco made Feb 15 at 2014 1:00 PM

SSG Andrew Dydasco — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 13:00:44 -0500

I am motivated by the opportunity and desire to grow and learn new things. I'm very self-motivated too; I'm not at peace with myself until I know I am working at my full potential.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2014 9:55 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 21:55:09 -0500

Previous failure motivates me.

I could not stand the failure. I want to set the right example for my family. I want to be the one who overcomes and succeeds. Now, I show them resiliency, and I work hard every day to improve. I can say my family motivates me. My team motivates me. My desire to succeed motivates me. However, what it comes down to is how failure affects all of those around me, and how it affects me. That is enough for me to push harder every day.

Response by SSgt George Brown made Feb 15 at 2014 9:59 PM

SSgt George Brown — Sat, 15 Feb 2014 21:59:03 -0500

That is a very astute and pertinent question. I really love mentors, but one thing that is better than anything else is an accountability partner that you can trust, and who will be honest with you, and you being the same as well. One that if they tell you that you are messing up, you will listen too. They will be the one that will see if you are going into a depression, or if you are excelling like never before. They can also be someone that motivates you to do your very best for yourself, your family, your troops/airmen/seamen, and your country.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 16 at 2014 5:36 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 17:36:56 -0500

My family is what keeps me going. i do everything in my power to be a great Soldier and leader for them. rather it be job security or protecting their freedom in the end my reasons for everything it for them.

Response by SSG Danilo Mercado made Feb 16 at 2014 10:02 PM

SSG Danilo Mercado — Sun, 16 Feb 2014 22:02:08 -0500

Although I was in pursuit of a "dream job". My true driving force was always to that man to the left and right of me. Call me a hopeless romantic, but isn't that what has been ingrained into ones moral fiber since day one. Not letting that man to your left or right down!

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Feb 12 at 2015 4:02 PM

SPC James Mcneil — Thu, 12 Feb 2015 16:02:25 -0500

My motivation is the fact that I can help people (specifically veterans, but not limited to them) take their dreams and make them goals and then achieve them.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 16 at 2015 4:14 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 16:14:26 -0400

Great question, 1SG.

As a father and husband, oftentimes my family is what motivates me. I know I will probably get mixed reviews, but I haven't had the most easy-going career. I got my PFC and SPC a month prior to the mandatory time limit. I was sent to the Sergeant Promotion Board a month before I hit 5 years, and got picked up that next month. Went to the Staff Sergeant Promotion board in 2012 (7 years in), and didn't make cutoff until 9 years in. I was by no means a bad Soldier, and still have yet to receive an Article 15 (company grade or otherwise). I have had a fairly major surgery and continue to serve because I feel this is what I am meant to do. Not to mention, seeing the pride in my family from continuing in spite of the setbacks, road blocks et al, I take pride in what I do, and I strive to be the best that I can be.