What's One Thing That Makes or Breaks a Military Career? Share and Be Entered to Win!

Choose your rate, choose your fate. If you want to be in long term and advance, you might have to sacrifice what you're familiar with to go down another path that offers opportunity.

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One thing? Read and understand the directions, then act on them with confidence. As a speed reader I managed to become in charge behind the scenes in boot camp, which carried forward to “A” school. Once in the Fleet I continued that, getting special and challenging assignments that made me stand out for advancement, while reading everything I could, chasing every qualification I could.

Attitude! In your country , the military, your men and yourself! lack of one will cause you to fail in being a career soldier. First off you have to love your country even if you don't believe in what decision has been made, You have to make a full commitment to the military in all that it is and stands for, You have to be dedicated to the men and women you serve with and know you will have their back as you are counting on them to have yours, You have to have the commitment to yourself to do your duty to God and Country no matter what you face

As an enlisted service member, make your career by adding value to the organization. Be a great team member. As an officer, make your career by mentoring your subordinates and providing for their welfare and professional development. In turn, your subordinates will support and take care of you. As Texas Bix Bender said, "You can pretend to care, but you can't pretend to be there." A career can be quickly broken by lapses in integrity (only you can compromise your integrity), indebtedness, and other violations of the UCMJ. Bender also said, "Never miss an opportunity to shut up." When you do speak, make your comments count. Be brief. If you are looking for a great book on leadership try "Start With Humility", by Merwyn Hayes.

Attitude and adaptability.

The ability to go with the flow and understanding the decisions of leadership, no matter what level it comes from.

Doing what that Lt Col in the Marines did and criticizing the leadership was a career terminator for him. Seventeen years of honorable service down the drain overnight.

Attitude

Being able to adapt is a must have skill. It makes it easier to deal with any situation and helps to work better with others. If you are not able to adapt than it makes it harder to be successful once out of your comfort zone. This skill is so versatile because it helps in the best of times and worst of times, to include when there is great leadership or toxic leadership. If you are not able to adapt then people are less likely to work with you and that could cause you to have a negative attitude. If that is the case, it is better for you to serve your time and get out and not infect others with negativity.