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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I had a First Sergeant at Fort McClellan, Alabama who was tough, yet compassionate. He was a Viet Nam vet, having had a couple helicopters shot out from under him - thus injuring his back. He had a large poster above his desk which read "Pay Attention To Detail", and a huge baseball bat next to his desk to accentuate that point... I always have remembered that wisdom, and, thank goodness didn't have to experience the bat to get my attention!
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One of the best things I was told is determine what is important and what is urgent. I remember distinctively that I have choose my family over a PPT.
Also I live control the controlable. Understanding that I only have control over my thoughts.
Seperate things in A and B
A you can control
B you have no control over don't worry about it.
Also I live control the controlable. Understanding that I only have control over my thoughts.
Seperate things in A and B
A you can control
B you have no control over don't worry about it.
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Two things, that cannot steer you wrong:
1) Keep your priorities straight: Faith, Family, Job...if this order gets messed up, you are on a path for stress and hard times. Always keep your faith--it is your foundation and will always be there for you. You need to keep your family in mind--remember, when you retire or leave the service, your family will (unless you violate the priorities) still be there for the rest of your life.
2) Don't worry about rank or evaluations, TAKE CARE OF THE TROOPS! As long as it is legal, ethical, and moral, do all you can to take care of your soldiers! They are your resume. They are your credentials. They are your legacy. If you do all you can as a leader to take care of your soldiers, you can always sleep well at night, and will be humbled and proud of what they accomplish!
1) Keep your priorities straight: Faith, Family, Job...if this order gets messed up, you are on a path for stress and hard times. Always keep your faith--it is your foundation and will always be there for you. You need to keep your family in mind--remember, when you retire or leave the service, your family will (unless you violate the priorities) still be there for the rest of your life.
2) Don't worry about rank or evaluations, TAKE CARE OF THE TROOPS! As long as it is legal, ethical, and moral, do all you can to take care of your soldiers! They are your resume. They are your credentials. They are your legacy. If you do all you can as a leader to take care of your soldiers, you can always sleep well at night, and will be humbled and proud of what they accomplish!
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Sir, a really great piece of advice I was given was always have a NCO with you. Especially as a Junior Officer I can say that having the NCO with me has been a huge help. Not only was then NCO able to guide me in planning missions but I was also able to learn the why, which has helped develop me into a better officer and leader.
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It had to do with leadership and performance. I was told by a Lt.Col when I was a newly promoted Sergeant two things. 1) When it comes to being a leader, you cannot push a rope. Meaning if you want to lead, you have to get in front and pull! 2). Your performance is based on how you compare to others in your rank structure. Meaning if you were in the top 10 amongst all of the Corporals in your unit that is good. If you are promoted to Sergeant and you perform at the same level you did as a Corporal you may just be an average Sergeant. You have to continue to strive to improve yourself and do your very best at all times.
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"The Army will not always be there for you....but your family will."
and...
"Hard times don't last. Hard people do!"
and...
"Hard times don't last. Hard people do!"
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I can't seem to pick a "best one." I have a few knowledge nuggets that I have been told (and I pass along to others) or that I have developed (and continue to pass along to others)
1. Always exceed the standard on a daily basis. That way if and when I have bad days, at the very least I still meet the standard.
2. Always make your own assessments of new Soldiers. They might have been dirtbags in their previous unit, but looking to better themselves with a fresh start.
3. Your career is in your hands and always work to achieve two ranks higher; not just the 25m target.
4. Soldiers don't always listen to what you say, but they ALWAYS watch what you do.
5. If you remotely question the morality of a decision you're about to make, break contact and regroup.
6 Lastly: continue to perform and plan as if you are going to stay in. Even if you are dead set on getting out, plan to stay in. You just never know if passing up an opportunity to get promoted or better yourself is going to bite you in the ass when your circumstances change and you must reenlist.
1. Always exceed the standard on a daily basis. That way if and when I have bad days, at the very least I still meet the standard.
2. Always make your own assessments of new Soldiers. They might have been dirtbags in their previous unit, but looking to better themselves with a fresh start.
3. Your career is in your hands and always work to achieve two ranks higher; not just the 25m target.
4. Soldiers don't always listen to what you say, but they ALWAYS watch what you do.
5. If you remotely question the morality of a decision you're about to make, break contact and regroup.
6 Lastly: continue to perform and plan as if you are going to stay in. Even if you are dead set on getting out, plan to stay in. You just never know if passing up an opportunity to get promoted or better yourself is going to bite you in the ass when your circumstances change and you must reenlist.
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Become good friends with soldiers in personnel and in food service, make a copy of everything that you give someone, and reclass any chance you get. I had a great career thanks to that advice given to me by an E-9 about 25 years ago.
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1. Do not take it personal. It is their job to yell at you. It is not personal for them, so do not make it personal for you.
2. Take care of your Soldiers and they will take care of the mission.
3. If they are not yelling at you it means that you are doing ok, even if they do not say so.
2. Take care of your Soldiers and they will take care of the mission.
3. If they are not yelling at you it means that you are doing ok, even if they do not say so.
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