Who is your most influential person of all time and why?

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 23:35:27 -0500

I came in the military in 1989, and it was because of my late dear mother. She said simple words," just make something out of yourself". I feel this was the most inspiring words ever spoken to me in my life. You go through trials and tribulation and the military is no exception. Sound off RP and voice your thoughts and words of encouragement.

Response by PO1 David Waeschle made Feb 10 at 2014 11:42 PM

PO1 David Waeschle — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 23:42:18 -0500

When I was stationed in Hawaii I had this real asshole for an XO. I ignored most of his nonsense and played along with most of his God awful meetings he loved to have on Friday afternoon. But he did say one intelligent thing in the three years I was stationed with him. "If you don't learn something new everyday, you might as well be dead!" Seems pretty duh huh, but it inspired me to finish my college education and go on to get my masters degree and then eventually move on to other new and exciting challenges.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 10 at 2014 11:52 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Feb 2014 23:52:11 -0500

when I came back in the Army, my mother told me "do not disgrace your name"... I think its worked a bit in keeping my nose clean

Response by PO1 Reginald Allen made Feb 11 at 2014 1:03 AM

PO1 Reginald Allen — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 01:03:17 -0500

My mom was, I went into the navy to proud to my mom and my step father that I can make something out of myself. I did 23 yrs and it was hard but I can look back and be proud of what I have done and what I brought to the table and I smile everyday as I look at my kids cause they are also proud of there daddy

Response by LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® made Feb 11 at 2014 1:30 AM

LTC David S. Chang, ChFC®, CLU® — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 01:30:43 -0500

For me it is Jesus Christ, my faith is important to me and I have had a personal experience. Not to sound too religious here! But what He has done and said has had a huge impact on me. One of the biggest things is to love everyone as myself, including to lay my life down for people. He epitomized selfless service and putting others ahead. 

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2014 11:16 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 11:16:09 -0500

Shortly after coming out of AIT, I worked very closely with a senior NCO who knew my potential even though I wanted to fight it. I was the Soldier that always asked "why" and wanted to test the system. My plan was to do four years, and get out and go back to school. I was encouraged to explore my long term plans and the best piece of advice I had ever been given by him was to "stay in the military because I wanted to, not because I had to." I thought a lot about that and at almost 12 years in, I still always evaluate that statement. I am married, have 2 kids, have a bachelors degree, and working on my masters, but the one thing that keeps me going is that I don't have to do this job. At every re-enlistment or extension I postured myself to be able to take multiple opportunities. The "want and drive" to be in the military that senior NCO instilled in me, keeps me putting the uniform on everyday with pride.

I have used this over time and as a recruiter I still use it. People need to understand that their position in life is what they make it. If they are not enjoying it, they need to do something to change it. This can be as simple as changing your attitude about something. For whatever it was worth though, that outlook instilled upon me at a young age in the military, has kept this "wannabe a SPC and get out in 4 years" to keep putting on boots and volunteering to get the next generation in boots. So a leaders people need to remember, sometimes the simplest words you speak everyday, can change the whole outcome of someone's military career.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 11 at 2014 12:59 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 11 Feb 2014 12:59:45 -0500

Personal. My dad, rubbed off on me a lot.

Military. SGM Maggard. The biggest *** when he was my 1SG back in 1999ish. But he was the first and most consistent on holding everyone...no matter the rank....to the same standard. I think he retired as the deputy commandant of the drill sergeant schoolhouse.

Response by SSG Red Hoffman made Feb 12 at 2014 10:01 AM

SSG Red Hoffman — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 10:01:00 -0500

Believe it or not, I will have to say it was Drill Sergeant Dare while in basic training. I remember before I joined the Army, I was a punk kid who knew everything and could not be told the difference between right and wrong. In 1977, BCT was a time when the Cadre could put the fear of God in you and keep it there for weeks. Sure, my parents were influential with my upbringing, and I for sure had several very inspiring NCOs along the way, but it was Drill Sergeant Dare who began the change that made me the man I am today. I have no idea where he may be, but during the months of Feb 1977 and Jun 1977, he was at Ft. Gordon, GA kicking my ass. I salute his methods and thank him for my kick start in life.

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Feb 12 at 2014 1:16 PM

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Wed, 12 Feb 2014 13:16:27 -0500

SFC Davis:

I had a Master Chief that spoke in my life when I was an SSG! I had a CW5, who came to see me every day when I was in Warrant Officer School asking me how I was doing?

When I was a WO1, I was deployed, and I had a Senior Chaplain who encouraged me and pushed me beyond my own expectations.

When I was a 2LT CC, I had a BG who sat and ate lunch with me and encouraged me to push forward.

Too much is given much is required!

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Apr 30 at 2014 11:17 AM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Wed, 30 Apr 2014 11:17:07 -0400

For me,it's Doctor Neil Degrasse Tyson..

An absolute brilliant man and role model. The life he's led is very worthy of emulating, and his continued contributions to our society make our lives better, day by day, even if we don't actively know it..

Response by PO2 Rocky Kleeger made May 11 at 2014 11:55 PM

PO2 Rocky Kleeger — Sun, 11 May 2014 23:55:33 -0400

For me, it would be my father. He taught me how to do everything I needed to learn in Basic before I went. Everything from how to shoot to how to make a rack. I have his temper, and his impatience for stupidity. Saying that I am my Father's son my not always be a good thing, but its always a true statement

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made May 12 at 2014 12:07 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Mon, 12 May 2014 00:07:38 -0400

SFC Davis, I was reading what you said about your mother and how she influenced you. I have to tell you that I got a warm fuzzy, and I started to think about my mother.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 17 at 2014 8:27 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 20:27:24 -0500

All my brothers and sisters in arms that knowingly and willingly sacrificed their lives so that their comrades might live.

Yeah, I know it's a cop out answer, but I don't have a single individual that I place above all others.

Response by 1stLt William Misner made Sep 22 at 2022 1:46 AM

1stLt William Misner — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 01:46:54 -0400

I took the oath to serve our Country in the United States Marine Corps in 1960 because people graduating College were being drafted to fight the war in Vietnam. I was very physically fit from successfully competing in three sports Track and Field, Soccer Football, and Gymnastics and earning a varsity letter in the Big Ten Conference reresenting Indiana University starting lineup in Soccer Football, and Gymnastics. Though I was very fit the Marine Corps Boot Camp put me an such a difficult position at 5'7" 145 lbs carring a 45-lb back pack, a heavy 10-11 lb M14 Rifle in a platoon that stationed me in the back of the a 45-50 Marines that make a plattoon. You see the Marines are trained to complete a variety of Physical running, lifting, holding weights in difficult positions, pugil stick fighting, and various other physical fitness tests to "Break You" {Your Spirit} in both Physical and Mental tests. Fortunate for me while I passed all the tests each one was a trial to survive! Later on I "Gaduated" from Boot Camp, Officer's Basic Training School, and Combat Engineer School while only 25 of our original 55 Officer Candidates passed each of their rigorous torturous tests for 90-days that seemed like several years. The Boot would-be graduate Officers who failed were then demoted to private and were sent to enlisted men's Boot Camp at Parris Island to serve their time as enlisted Marines after they graduated from the Infamous Quantico Boot Camp. Never a day did I serve in the Marine Corps as a Combat Engineer, TAD Military Police Officer did I face a circumstance of situation that was easy; every day I fought to succeed as opposed to failing the pressure to complete the mission. Marines either pass every test or their evidental demotion cancels all their previous successes. If you did not succeed the "TRIAL TEST" you faced losses that could lead to an assignment you did not want, demotion, or NO time-served promotion. Never a day in my Marine Corps service was any different than any of the "Schools" we were trained in that demanded we always complete the Mission! Following my service time completed, I contined to face circumstances in civilian life that drew required I deal with pressure with an expected successful performance. Those circumstances and the pressures I faced I treated with Alcohol outside my Working for a living as a civilian. I am part Choctaw Native American and like many Native Americans, Alcohol works more potently on Native Americans {at least it did with me} and after a few drinks you are totally relaxed and relieved from the Win-don't-lose pressures imposed by your occupation. As a few years soon passed, I learned quickly I could not be a contributing citizen and inebriate myself to relieve the pressures imposed to succeed. My wife and Children prayed for me and faithfully supported me in spite of how ugly I performed at home in their Worlds...I sought and prayed God would save me from all my past self-medicaton trips using Alcohol for relief. Then not long after I prayed that prayer for deliverance from all alcohol or anything that was not right, I started a weekend drinking to relieve work-associated tensions, all the sudden I noticed I had drunk a whole bottle of alcohol, but I was not getting the relaxing relief, in fact, I was simple sober as can be. I thought to myself, I have never drank that much and still be sober! What was this? After having this same experience on a second occasion a week later than my first Alcoholic consumption, it happened again while I was drinking an alcohol that was really powerful in generating a buzz to relax all your tensions from a week of hard work. Then in that very moment I heard inside my mind these words. "Praise GOD, Thank YOU JESUS CHRIST, I do not have to drink any more!!!" The last drink I had was April 1, 1972, and I have not had a drink since other than the occasional tiny wine or grape juice cups when we Celebrate our personal communion with the LORD JESUS CHRIST, who died taking the blame for ALL my sins! Life is till tough at times but now I have the LORD WHO faithfully guides me through every sort of circumstantial pressure or personal failures. "For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the LORD JESUS' death until HE comes." {1 CORINTHIANS 11:26} The impossible US MARINE CORPS' assignments designed to complete and impose suffering with an embarasing failure after failure that I be broken down to my lowest state contributed to my confessing: "LORD HELP ME!" Best decision I ever made!