Who was your most inspirational person you met or worked for in the Military? What person made the most impact in your career?

For the Most Inspirational, I'd have to say a Cpl who was one of the clerks at my MOS school. I was a hard charging motivated Marine. I took pride in my uniform, the cleanliness of my room, customs and courtesies, the whole nine yards. I had a bunch of Marines and Sailors ragging on me because of my motivated nature calling me a boot and other such insults. Well after calling us to formation and putting a stop to the taunts, he gave us a little speech that went along the lines of [Each of you went through some kind of a trial to be standing here today. For those of you that are Marines, you should be proud of that title. You earned that title. You should be shouting from the hilltops I. AM. A. MARINE. I wish we had more Marines like PFC Goolsby. Do you know why? Because he wants to be here. He shows that he wants to be a Marine. He's going to go on and do good things and you know why? Because he's proud to be a Marine. So I'll tell you this Goolsby. While others here might tell you to secure that motivation, I say NEVER secure that motivation. We Marines are motivated creatures. Oohrah!]

It was something that really stuck with me and it kept me motivated throughout my time in the Marines.

For someone that had the most impact on my career, I'd have to say one of my Gunnys. Had a misstep in my career. Got non-rec'd. But instead of dwelling on it, he helped me improve my situation. Did my time and got my promotion. Helped shape me into an effective leader. He had such an impact on my career that he was one of the people I asked to pin my rank on.

CSM Hagan
highly professional, Hard as nails, and Up front Fairness...

So far my Drill Sergeants and my AIT Platoon Sergeant and AIT Instructor. Probably going to remember them for quite awhile.

William Volk (Ret USN Chief) doing a civilian job over at our Wing, though not in my command he's been a great help to me while I was learning the ropes of my NEC. Can always make someone laugh, and still be honest and professional with them. Always have full confidence in his guidance whenever I don't have the answer to a situation.

COL Larry Luba was an outstanding example of modeling leadership to me early in my military life.

A SPC. in my unit he had just got back from Kandahar Afghanistan a few months before i got to the unit. The first day i showed up he told me to stick with him to teach me the ropes. He even went with me to a building on our complex full of drill sergeants so i wouldn't get smoked alone, Haha talk about a battle!

There were three, and each had significant impacts. First was Captain (later Vice Admiral) C. C. Smith Jr. Skipper of the USS Enterprise. A boy from the back woods of Alabama and when he spoke you knew it. He believed in working hard and playing hard. Everyone on the ship admired and respected him, you never know when he will pop out of the Reactor Spaces soaking wet, and heading for his Cabin to take a quick shower before heading to the Bridge, or dropping back down to the mess Decks and eating with the Crew, or sliding in to the Chief's mess to hear the latest scuttle. If you heard someone call him Captain, you knew it was a bewb, anyone who had been aboard more than a month knew him as the Skipper. The NAVY could use his leadership now more than ever.

Next was my Skipper of VA-82, I first met him when I plowed over the top of him when we both were going after a long drive into left field from our Sister Squadron VA-86 at Lunch one day. We crashed big time, the Short Stop got the out while we picked each other up off the ground, I introduced myself to him, and he said Hi I'm Tom mercer, I'm your new Skipper. that was one of many days playing baseball at lunch and many more days learning what real leadership is all about. I am still in touch with Rear Admiral Mercer. The Squadron would march through hell for him, and we proved it by becoming the best Attack Squadron in the NAVY, we were awarded the ComNavAirLant Battle E and the McClusky Award in the same year. Finally was Chief Avaition Ordnanceman Spiegel Pitzer. He instilled into me just what the word Professionalism truly means. I spent my Navy career excelling. As an E-4 in my first command I ended up filling an E-6 billet As an E-5 in my Squadron I ended up filling an E-6 billet then at my last command I was sent to fill at E-7 billet as an E-5.

During an Admiral's Inspection after we won the McClusky Award, during the review, the Admiral saw my fruit salad and then looked at my crow, and inquired "Second Class Ordnance Eh? " I replied quickly "No Sir, Second Class Petty Officer, First Class Aviation Ordnance-man, SIR!" The Admiral looked back over to Commander Mercer and the Skipper smiled and remarked, "He's Right Sir." The Admiral looked at me and said, "Shame I dont have any billets for AO's on my Staff" and walked on.

When you have good C.O's and NCO's that support you there is nothing you cannot do.

LTC (R) Jeffery Henderson. He taught me that it's not who you know, but who knows you and how well you do your job. In other words, do your job to the best of your ability, and people will notice, and even help you if you are struggling

I would have to say the 20th Fighter Wing Command Chief, CMSgt. Scott Dearduff. Every briefing he did that I attended was inspirational.

my Chief in RTC and my great grandfather. He was an MCC. I wasn't a troubled person, just had a very complicated life. And throughout the weeks we slowly got to know our RDC's like they got to know us. And after some time hearing the story of my Chief and all he went through. Personally couldn't relate to most of what he went through but the pain I could relate too. Hearing her got from point A to point.... ABQ, was an inspiration. I had never seen some one so inspirated and actually apssionate about others and about the navy and making it so much more than what we see and hear. He reminded me a lot of my great grandfather. Now, my great grandfatehr retired in the navy as BMC. Fought through WW2. Traveled so many places. He wrote an autobiography so he could carry on his legacy, his history, his prides and passion, his failures and mistakes, and the triumphs of the all. So, amny men adored him, idolized him while in the Navy and I worshipped the ground that man walked on. One of many reasons why I joined the navy as well. My great grandfather passed away going on 6 years now and I think about him a lot, along with my Chief in RTC. I've never idolized two amazing men in my life, adn I truly hope one day I can make an affect on others and make some one/ somebody(ies) proud like they have for me.