Posted on Nov 8, 2013
What's the best advice you've ever gotten from someone in the military?
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The best advice I ever received was to "take a knee". I had just been through a divorce, was struggling through CGSC, couldn't get enough shared custody time with my kids, was overwhelmed at work and was trying to find time for my monthly drill (BA). The guy I worked for, a LTC at the time and I was a Major, suggested that I RST and work on my CGSC instead of attending drill for the next three months. I was blown away by his compassion and caring during a time when I was juggling way too many balls in the air. This breathing room, as a result of taking a knee, allowed me to complete CGSC, get my life back on track and demonstrate resilience through taking positive actions. I owe that LTC big time for some of the best advice I've ever received!
Army
NCOs
Officers
Mentorship
Advice
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 142
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The best advice I had ever received while in the military came to me in 2012 when I was getting ready to deploy and had been through a recent divorce, which involved my three daughters. It came from my boss, a Colonel, and he said, "You have a lot on your plate. You need to maintain balance in your life no matter what. If you can't deploy, tell me now and I will get someone else. You didn't hear this from me, but this place is a machine. This was here before you and it will be here after you. Don't sacrifice your family for the mission unless it's truly life or death. In other words, if they are coming over the fence, then kiss your kids goodbye and grab your gear...it's what you signed up for, and frankly, it's what I expect from you and everyone else in this unit. You need to know that this deployment is not that. This is AEF and I have two other qualified guys that I can send. You need to have balance in your life. If you need to be with your family, you tell me now. If you deploy, I expect you be fully engaged. Our Airmen deserve to be well led. Now what's it going to be?, Jack Daniels or a Shirley Temple? No pressure. Love ya, man!"
He always said "Love ya, man!" when we were in the shit. Or, "Can you believe they pay us for this!?!?!"
He always said "Love ya, man!" when we were in the shit. Or, "Can you believe they pay us for this!?!?!"
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Lt Col (Join to see)
For the record, I deployed, just as I always have. I have always known that I am good father, but I also knew I could have been a better husband. Making statements like 'I was married to the military first' is just a cop out. Understanding who I was and who I should be, was the ultimate lesson and impact. Intimate moments concerning your real life are rare, and rarer still are the ones that change the course of your life. Live, learn, serve...and pass it on.
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