What Was Your Best Experience With a Superior While Serving? Share and Be Entered to Win!

I was pregnant and my car broke down. I was having to walk some days. One day it was really hot and my captain loaned me his car so I could go home for lunch.

This is how I knew I worked for a quintessential leader. His name was Colonel Todd Starbuck of the 152nd AW in Reno, Nevada. I can't even remember what I did but it was not good. He looked me in the eye and said, "I am going to go before the superiors and defend you but this will never happen again." I have never forgotten that. Instead of throwing me under the bus, he defended and supported me. I have tried to live by this action - not jumping to conclusions, realizing the pain the person is putting on themselves is way more intense than anything I could offer.

Had an amazing talk with my mean as a rattle snake 1st sgt when my son was born.

The best memory I think I had was a lateral move Seargent that thought they were God's gift to the Corps. This Seargent decided, during day hours, to travel down to the local exchange and buy items for themself. During the time it takes to travel from our facility to the exchange, he keyed his microphone whilst driving. Unbeknownst to the Seargent in question, they proceeded to partake in singing, particularly songs that go against the image or brand that they are trying to maintain.

The best experience I had, was when I changed platoons and was assigned a Watch Supervisor that genuinely cared about his Marines. He looked after us, mentored us, and became a really good friend. He would spend time with us in each of our posts and would guide us. This was a huge change from my previous platoon, who only cared about their image like it was still Grade School.

i was a young XO, stressing, working really late with the company supply team to prepare for a change-of-command property inspection. It was probably 10 p.m. or so. I remember the outgoing commander posting up at my door and said, Hey I want to ask you all (me and the supply team) a question, "Is the Army jacked up?" We all laughed and said, "Hell yeah!" Next, he asked, "If you work 24-hours a day, do you think you'd be able to change that?" We looked at each other and said, "No definitely not." He then said, "Alright. I appreciate everything you all are doing, but you need to go home now. We're going to be ok. Just go home." I smiled at him and he said, "No, seriously, y'all go home." I'll never forget that. I still cherish that moment and that compassionate, mature advice.

When the drill sergeant picked us up at reception. I had the same first & last name as the first sergeant. He hated the first sergeant.

I was an E2 in Bravo Battery Second Battalion, Twenty-Seventh Field Artillery Regiment/B Btry 2/27 FA during Fall Training 1977 at Graffenwhor West Germany. Another Private and myself was on Guard Duty when a Quarter-Ton pulled up and wanted access to Our Wheel Park. The other Private looked at me and wanted to open the gate but I began explaining to the driver that the Command Sergeant Major did not want any vehicles allowed in the Wheel Park once it had been washed down. I noticed the driver kept giving me a subtle head nod towards the passenger seat and was telling me he needed to get in the Wheel Park so they could see if all the vehicles had been parked. I told him again I was sorry but Command Sergeant Major definitely was clear when he told the Batteries He did not want anybody coming in the Wheel Park unless we had received word from Battalion. At this time the passenger spoke up and told me to "Come around here Private!" I went around to the side of the vehicle just as the person was getting out and it was the Command Sergeant Major. The other Private and I both jumped to Attention but He told us to "At-Ease." Then He asked my name and Rank and which Battery was I in. I told Him and He told me "Good Job, and if anybody try to get in, you do just what you just did and tell them what you just told my Driver. We need good Soldiers like you and I'll tell You First Sergeant you was definitely doing your job." I said thank you Command Sergeant Major and at Shift Change the next morning, 'Top'/First Sergeant, told me I had did a good job last night and the Battery Commander heard him. I was given a three-day pass by the Command Sergeant Major and the Battery Commander had the First Sergeant also give me a Four-Day Pass. When I got back to my FDC Section, even my Section Chief had heard about it and I remember he grabbed me by the shoulder and shook me (Our FDC Section was very close and always received praise from the Battery Commander and the other Cadre in the Battery for the job we did in FDC. GOD BLESS!!!

When assigned to 10th SFG as their Group Property Book Warrant, I was introduced to "isolation" prior to deployment (destination does not matter); at some point, the Group Commander informed me that because of my previous performance during a previous assignment he was assigning me as "Team Leader" in addition to my duties as Logistics Operations Officer. When I informed the Commander of my plans to retire, he informed me that retirement was for those who could not cut the mustard and that the lack of manpower necessitated that my retirement papers be placed in the circular file! My future was not only enhanced by assignment with the 10th SFG but resulted in my receiving the Legion of Merit and the personal satisfaction knowing that my survival was solely attributed to the men with whom I was assigned. My life since retirement has been blessed several times when meeting some of these same folks with whom it was a distinct honor to serve and learn life-saving skills from the very best.

The best experience I shared with a superior is when a superior advocated for me when I endured a sexual assault. And I saw that the higher up could be human.

Knowing we had each others back without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion!! Would die for each other in a heartbeat if needed!! SEMPER FIDELIS