What Rank Was The Most Challenging But Rewarding?

Definitely the promotion to Sargeant was challenging. Being a leader with bigger expectations and acknowledging that you were always expected to lead by example is a big step in the military. It introduced me to what is required to be an effective leader and manager of people. This also translates into the civilian world job skills.

I concur with Sfc Joe Davis. Buck Sgt. Was my first exposure to true leadership. I was converted from a Spec 5 to Sgt when I had a change in assignment. The expectations were greater. I liked it! Helped me in civilian life when I became a manager

First Class Petty Officer / E-6. In the US Navy this is the rank where you are challenged to really up your game and take on new responsibilities before being selected to the Chief Petty Officer Ranks. No longer is "moving up" based solely on test scores and evaluations but, your record is now screened annually to see if you have what it takes to become a Chief Petty Officer. Along with your daily responsibilities, you start to really take on the leadership role for your Sailors. Their well being and accomplishing the mission of your shop/work center is your first responsibility. Everything from uniforms to spare parts and everything in between is up to you to check daily. Your Chief, who has been there and done that, watches your every move. To the point of even letting you fail at times to make sure you learn the lesson (Of course he/she has your back when those failures occur if he or she is worth their salt.) Every day is a new adventure, as you become the mentor, enemy, best friend, guidance counselor, shoulder to cry on, father they never had, you name it for your Sailors. It is a lot of long days and at times putting your family second when you are called back to work or to help a junior Sailor fix his car so he can get to work the next day. You learn that it is the people that work for you everyday that make you a success, as long as you take care of them. First Class Petty Officer is where you are challenged at times to take on the work of a Chief Petty Officer, to start cutting your teeth so that you can one day join the ranks of the Chief Petty Officers to make the Navy Run.

Lance Corporal E-3 was my most challenging and rewarding. It was challenging when I was assigned to a team of Combat Engineers attached to an infantry battalion in Viet Nam and rewarding as it was the first stairstep in leadership that gave me the confidence to eventually earn a doctorate in Ministry from Fuller Theological Seminary, building Christian leaders.

When I made Sergeant my life completely changed, all of a sudden i was responsible for others others that matter, human life!

E-4, third class petty. officer. Had to work hard, behave, and do all of my work with the best of my ability.

SFC E-7. At that rank I performed the duties at the Battalion Operations Sergeant for two years which included training, taskings, running the SQT testing, the EIB testing (I'm an Armor SFC in an Inf Div) and ran the TOC in the field among other duties. Then I went to a line Co as a 1SG for six months until an actual 1SG came on board, then I went to PSG. After I left there I went to Recruiting as a field Recruiter for one year and a Recruiting Station Commander for three years. Then back to the main stream of the Army for three more years as PSG, then retired. Those were definitely challenging years.

Staff Sergeant/E-5 was my most challenging and rewarding. Challenging because many factors went into earning the rank vs just time in service. Rewarding because I was able to lead and teach newer airmen along the way.

Being an Chief in the Navy. Not an E7 but a CHIEF! By far the most rewarding because everyone up and down the chain of command looks to you for answers. Obviously challenging but wow was it fun and rewarding!!!

E-4 was my most challenging rank while in the Army because my goal was to become a non-commissioned officer (NCO) but those who didn’t aspire the same felt it would change existing relationships for the worse since I could potentially become their squad or platoon leader. This being said, many in the ranks of E-4 or below chose to distant themselves from me knowing all likelihood of the latter.