What was your overall goal (rank) that you wanted to achieve?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 22:53:07 -0400

Response by SGM Billy Herrington made Sep 6 at 2016 10:58 PM

SGM Billy Herrington — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 22:58:15 -0400

I'm three higher than I thought I'd ever be.

Response by ENS Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2016 11:04 PM

ENS Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 23:04:47 -0400

The goal is to retire as a Flag Officer, to be honest. I will settle for 06, but I have such a desire to become a Flag Officer one day, I couldn't imagine not doing it! In the end, retirement is a LONG way away. If I even live that long, I'll be just as happy ;) A long successful career filled with many friends, stories, and shared beers!

Response by Col Dona Marie Iversen made Sep 6 at 2016 11:08 PM

Col Dona Marie Iversen — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 23:08:21 -0400

I wanted to retire as a GO but not PC, so I retired before I earned a one way trip to KS.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2016 11:08 PM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 23:08:52 -0400

Rank doesn't mean much to me as much as leading people. But to answer your question, at least CW4

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Sep 6 at 2016 11:13 PM

TSgt Joe C. — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 23:13:49 -0400

MSgt would be nice, but I got time before I get to that rank. I can't test for it until a year from February. If all goes well, I plan to obtain E-7 and decide if I want to stay past 20 years or not.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2016 11:14 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 23:14:24 -0400

My goal, is to retire a Brigider General. Yes! That is a long way Away and a really high goal. But I will at least try my best to get there.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Sep 6 at 2016 11:18 PM

SFC Pete Kain — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 23:18:05 -0400

No goal, I just did not know what I wanted other than not asking would you like fries with that.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2016 11:25 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 23:25:25 -0400

This is a long way off since I'm not done with my degree. But O-6 would more than enough.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 6 at 2016 11:27 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 06 Sep 2016 23:27:44 -0400

I would like to retire atleast a senior non com but I'm working towards going warrant. I really don't have good luck but dosnt stop me from trying .

Response by MSgt Ken Flood made Sep 7 at 2016 12:28 AM

MSgt Ken Flood — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 00:28:36 -0400

Whilst in Basic Training I saw the respect and professionalism or a Master Sergeant. At that point I told myself that should I stick around for 20 years that is the rank i wanted to achieve. Thankfully I attained that goal.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 12:28 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 00:28:36 -0400

My goal has always been to become a 1SG and lead a Company full of Engineers. I am one rocker away and have about 6 years until retirement. It will be up to the Army to make it happen at this point.

Response by Maj John Bell made Sep 7 at 2016 12:37 AM

Maj John Bell — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 00:37:42 -0400

I wanted to command a Marine Expeditionary Unit on a real mission. Colonels command MEU's, but the MEU, not the rank was the goal.

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 12:56 AM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 00:56:11 -0400

Initially I wanted to achieve the rank of 1SG because that's was my Dads highest rank. After making SSG, I changed my sights onto CSM, but after making SFC in 8 years and careful consideration towards my future and the future of my family, I made the choice to become a Warrant Officer. My current goal to make CW4 and retire under 23 years in the Army.

Response by Sgt Joshua Mardino made Sep 7 at 2016 1:03 AM

Sgt Joshua Mardino — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 01:03:49 -0400

As a young Marine, I was really inspired by some of the senior enlisted. Had I stayed and made it, I would have loved to have been a Master Sergeant and stay close to my field. As it is, being a Sergeant before I got out was an honor and a privilege.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 1:10 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 01:10:55 -0400

At first I just wanted to see the world and party, I didn't really care that much about rank. Later I cared about spending time with family and friends and just wanted to be good at my job and get a 20 year retirement. Later in my career I regretted not having pushed myself harder when I was younger, and resolved to work harder as a civilian... which I have done.

I don't feel any regret at this point though, it's been about 13 years since I retired... I'm not sure I would go back and change anything. The service, the experience, the camaraderie, those are all that really matter to me now.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 1:19 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 01:19:54 -0400

I went in as a Spec4 and I did not think about rank and I already thought at age 31 I was too old for getting a Commission. I was in the ARNG and they can be officers up to age 35. I never dreamed I would get to be a Major. When I was a Lieutenant I wanted to be a Captain. I am now a Major at age 53 and 22 years, 3 deployments and I just finished the Command and General Staff Officer Course Common core and I hope to make Lt. Col in the next 2 years and retire at 59 or 60.

Response by CW5 Jack Gaudet made Sep 7 at 2016 2:23 AM

CW5 Jack Gaudet — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 02:23:48 -0400

My goal was to be the best that I could be. I would rather have tried and failed then to have said I could have done that. The rank came with striving to do my best I did have a goal to go commissioned at one point but

Response by SFC Stephen King made Sep 7 at 2016 5:03 AM

SFC Stephen King — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 05:03:17 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member My goal was and has been to be a model for others to follow. Rank didn't matter. A leader who provides purpose, motivation and direction. Using empathy to inspire others to be their best.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 5:32 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 05:32:39 -0400

I want to retire as an O6 I have 14 years before my MRD and hopefully the stamina to keep going to reach my goal

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 6:22 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 06:22:57 -0400

O6, but obviously I have to keep working towards a degree and then go OCS!

Response by Sgt Christopher Wenzel made Sep 7 at 2016 8:10 AM

Sgt Christopher Wenzel — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 08:10:51 -0400

I wanted to eventually become a SgtMaj.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 9:27 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 09:27:29 -0400

Being a prior enlisted guy with 9+ years of enlisted time - I'll be happy with Major.

Response by CSM Richard StCyr made Sep 7 at 2016 9:34 AM

CSM Richard StCyr — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 09:34:16 -0400

I always wanted to be a First Sergeant.

Response by CDR Terry Boles made Sep 7 at 2016 9:37 AM

CDR Terry Boles — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 09:37:22 -0400

Good question, I imagine some give thought to it early in their career, but most later in their career. For me, enlisted was to make CPO and as an officer it was 0-5 which I achieved. However I have one shot at the 0-6 board before I plan to retire, so we shall see.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 9:46 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 09:46:23 -0400

Minimum rank goal is SFC, but ultimate goal is MSG. That may not sound like much, but considering how competitive the Army is nowadays, making SFC is a serious accomplishment. Not to mention that most of my friends that joined never made it past SGT, and some of my friends that have retired or about to retire didn't make it to SFC.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 9:51 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 09:51:06 -0400

My goal was to get to the 1SG rank. I have been the acting a few times and next year with luck and pray should make MSG. I would love to get the opportunity to be a 1SG. Past that I haven't really thought about it but I would stay a bit longer if they let me put the star in the middle. Good luck to you and everyone else on their goals, and congrates to all that have reached their goal.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Sep 7 at 2016 10:45 AM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 10:45:17 -0400

Early in my career my goal was to make Major so I could retire at 20. (At the time twice-passed over Captains were ordered out of the Air Force.) I made Major, so my goal became the next higher grade. I didn't make O-6, so I took the hint and retired as an O-5. It worked out for the best for my family and me in the long run.

A few years after I retired, a friend of mine offered this advice,
"It's better to aim for the stars and hit the wall, than to aim for the wall and end up on the floor." Wise words from a successful business man. He owned Belleville Boot. RP members may have worn a pair of his boots.

Response by PO2 Kristy Williams made Sep 7 at 2016 11:11 AM

PO2 Kristy Williams — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 11:11:08 -0400

2nd in my 5 years and I got it

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 12:40 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 12:40:59 -0400

I told myself that if I can reach E-7 before I get out, I'd be happy. (now waiting on HRC to come up with some answers)

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 1:19 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 13:19:57 -0400

Initially.... I wanted to just make it to SFC...but I was offered an opportunity I couldn't refuse in 1998...I didn't know that my degree qualified for a Direct Commission....I was sought out by a recruiter while I was at Annual Training (AT)...worst case senario I would have retired in '03...but when I accepted the commission...that added 15 years to my plan (10 was mandatory to retire as an officer)...so....normal progression for most officer AOCs in 15 years...is close to the LTC Promotion Board...which for me was this year..I don't regret it b/c only 10% were selected for LTC in my AOC. .I still can't believe I made it through 31 total years...21 Active and 10 Guard and Reserve, Three Deployments and Two Overseas tours...it got to the point where your tolerance for certain things gets short (thats being nice) and then you drop your retirement papers...There are people and places I will surely miss...but there are others I won't miss...I will never regret my decision to serve.....

Response by CPT Gary Jugenheimer made Sep 7 at 2016 3:51 PM

CPT Gary Jugenheimer — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 15:51:05 -0400

To get out with my men alive and with all of our faculties......didn't have a clue about Dioxin!

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Sep 7 at 2016 4:43 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 16:43:19 -0400

NCO. I didn't care if I hit Cpl or Sgt, but if I was to leave the Marine Corps, it had to be with a bloodstripe.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 7 at 2016 6:01 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 07 Sep 2016 18:01:37 -0400

My goals have been more experience related than rank. So far I haven't met many of them.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2016 11:06 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 11:06:06 -0400

I came in always wanting to be a 1SG/E8. While I held the position as an E7 its not the same as being able to wear the Diamond. I've worked at BN and BDE level and for me I'd rather be at a Company level where I can get more real time with the Soldiers and not be stuck under stacks of paperwork.

Response by CPT Earl George made Sep 8 at 2016 4:50 PM

CPT Earl George — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 16:50:03 -0400

I thought for sure that after getting commissioned, I was going to Vietnam. My goal was not to do something stupid that got someone under me killed needlessly. I did not worry about rank, just serving with honor.

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 8 at 2016 8:48 PM

CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 Sep 2016 20:48:34 -0400

The only goal I set for myself was to be a SGT at my 3 year mark, and I achieved that, although I am not pined SGT yet.

Response by SSG Tommy Garmon made Sep 9 at 2016 9:42 PM

SSG Tommy Garmon — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 21:42:49 -0400

I was offered warrant school .. Paperwork was done... I chose to retire.. The one true career move I truly regret. I started as private E1.. It would have been awesome to retire a warrant officer..

Response by SA Jim Arnold made Sep 9 at 2016 10:34 PM

SA Jim Arnold — Fri, 09 Sep 2016 22:34:17 -0400

The one I didn't obtain.

Response by CMSgt Bill Hamilton made Sep 15 at 2016 8:44 PM

CMSgt Bill Hamilton — Thu, 15 Sep 2016 20:44:21 -0400

My goal was to make SSgt(E-5) in the Air Force so I could stay 20 years. I far exceed my goal and every promotion past that was a pleasant surprise to me. While it was a pleasant surprise to me, it was a down right shock to several Colonels, Generals, and Chiefs who knew me as a young Airman. ;)

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 25 at 2019 4:17 AM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 04:17:51 -0400

I really wanted to be a corporal- never got it.☹️