Who has been the biggest influence during your career?

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 23:02:55 -0500

Spouse, leader, drill sergeant, commander? Who do you see as the biggest influence and the person who has had the largest impact on your profession career? Why?

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 6 at 2014 11:05 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 23:05:37 -0500

My biggest influence has been my current CSM, CSM Salmon. He is the first Senior NCO mentor that I've had as a Senior NCO myself.

It started with my time as 1SG, he was there for me every step of the way. He didn't hold my hand, but he gave me a TON of his time to teach me and mentor me about being a 1SG.

It's ridiculous that it took 12 years to meet someone that was willing to mentor me, but I'm glad I did.

Sometimes you just get lucky to meet someone that actually gives a crap. Even when I moved to Staff he still wants to hear from me and is generally concerned.

It's awesome, I'll never forget everything he's done for me...

Response by SPC Christopher Morehouse made Jan 6 at 2014 11:31 PM

SPC Christopher Morehouse — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 23:31:06 -0500

Saddam Hussein. Because of that Jerk I had to spend a year in that stinky hot mess around the world.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 8 at 2014 9:34 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 09:34:33 -0500

My former Battalion Commander, COL Hudgins.

As a general rule, throughout my career, I've never really had anyone checking on me, mentoring me, counseling me. I was always the one doing it for others. My professional reputation has always been pretty damn good, to the point where I could say something in complete violation of regulation, and I would be believed over the regulation, simply because I had been accepted as the SME for so long... It made me really complacent.

He was the guy who questioned me, pushed me, guided me, steered me, the one person who kept busting my butt, digging deeper and deeper, forcing me to do my homework to justify my every position. I feel like he was the only person who wanted to push me to greater things, that realized I wasn't at max potential yet...He made me a MUCH stronger NCO... I'll always be grateful to him.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2014 2:07 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 02:07:21 -0500

SFC (formerly a SSG at the time) Hollingsworth is the only SNCO I've known that seriously mentored me regularly. Otherwise, I'd simply look for pros and cons of every other leader's leadership style to help mold my own.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 12 at 2014 8:34 PM

CSM Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 12 Mar 2014 20:34:47 -0400

Since day one of basic training, Drill Sergeant Ralph O. Lytle was instrumental in shaping a civilian to a Leader in today's Army. I still keep in contact with him and keep him up-to-date of my military career. I have emailed him and thanked him on numerous occassions for providing me with the necessary push I needed to excel. He might have not known it, but he fostered what the Army Values is all about in me. I can only hope I can return the favor to the Army and coach, motivate and mentor even one Soldier just like DS Lytle did with me.