What Rank Was The Most Challenging But Rewarding?

E-5

The lowest. Airman Basic. Lowest rank. See the most. Talk less. Do more. Respect more. Salute more. But learn more…….

I wasn't enlisted for long. So I guess my last rank was the most difficult.

For me it was Corporal. All your friends..privates, pfc's, and lcpl's,, you had to leave behind. Now you are supposed to associate wiith other nco's, most of which you know nothing about.

Electronics Tech First Class Petty Officer E-6. In charge of 26 very intelligent ETs. Like herding cats!

For me it had to be Master Sergeant. I put Master on PFE Only because I had just changed from Loadmaster to Navigation Systems. Shortly after I went to work for the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing at George AFB (now closed) and was dropped into the deep end by being made NCOIC of the Runway Operations Monitor program. I had to recruit, train and schedule over eighty-eight young airmen how to man the mobile towers at the end of the runway to watch for pilots who were attempting to land with the gear up in their F-4s. The rewarding part was the satisfaction of being told by the Wing DO that I was doing an outstanding job and having a couple of my people make saves. They worked two hour shifts, dawn to dusk, in addition to their regular jobs. That was how I spent the last two and a half years of my enlistment.

Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Basic Training November 1, 1966, we were introduced to our Platoon Sgt. We held our collective breaths for the other shoe to drop, praying silently that he would never take it off in the presence of friendly forces.
THAT RANK WAS PURE STANK!
As for rewarding, he was sent to Korea, then 'Nam, and we could breathe again! Patience DOES have its own rewards, but my nostrils still hurt.

E3 because it was my first year and I was learning the basics about transition from civilian life to military Accord but it was well worth it because it made me the man I am today

Even though I only rose to the rank of corporal, my time inthe service helpedme grow up and become self sufficiant. I was in during the Korean war but spent all my time in Germany. I was a cook and was lucky enough to work with some old timers and learned a lot from them. The last 10 mos of my duty I was given the job of Baker and made all the bread ,cakes and deserts for my company in the 43rd armored division. Iamknow 92 years old and still do cooking and baking at home. I also Take advantage of what the VA has to offer formy meds, glasses . hearing aids. I am amazed at the vets I meet who have never taken advantage of veterans benefits. Perhapsthe va need a better advertising program.

Spec 6 was my most challenging. I was promoted in Vietnam and had to keep our Radar operational and I started getting hollers for help from areas all around us. Lot of problems. Did my best to help all requests some I could handle, some I couldn't made me sad and wish I knew more!!