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

Specialist Jonah Borland, may he Rest In Peace. He had become very ill while in active duty and he maintained his commitment to his service. They were trying very hard to medical board him out but as long as he could pass his PT test then he could remain. He fought every step of the way. He was still active duty after I had ETS'd. I had lost contact with him when they transferred him out to Colorado somewhere because his illness got worse. I didn't find out until recently I had found some people from our now closed and disbanded unit that he had passed away.

I am hoping that one day soon I can go and visit his grave and lay some coins down on his marker showing him and his family that he had an impact on my life.

REST IN PEACE JONAH BORLAND REST IN PEACE!

I'd have to say one of my drill sergeants. Especially since we reconnected last year, and we haven't seen each other since 1984. He taught me how to lead troops, even in the face of the craziness of war

1SG Grover E. Lewellan,. My main inspiration and motivation to do my absolute best every day and to make a career in the military!

OK, I have to give my father, a retired Air Force Master Sergeant, credit for how I ended up, even though I didn't follow him into the Air Force. The other would be my Senior Drill, Staff Sergeant Michael Priestly. He was sharp, in shape and tactically proficient, should have been on a recruiting poster. He was one of those guys that spent a week in the mud with you and still came out with shined boots and pressed fatigues.

1SG Greg Abing. He was my first active duty First Sergeant when I was in the 121st Sig Bn, 1st ID. He was a Vietnam War Marine veteran and former high school teacher. This made for a great combination for a First Sergeant. He was tough, but fair and he honestly cared about his soldiers. I didn't have a driver's license when I got to the unit so after I got my learner's permit and military "learner's permit" he had me driving for him when the unit was going through STX's and other details. He, and a guy I met at the bowling alley, taught me how to drive. I don't know how I would have viewed him as a leader if I had met him later in my career, but he made a good impression on a young soldier.

My first Division Officer, LT James S. Newman. ( he was a Mustang - retired at a CAPTAIN rank, really surprised he didn't make Rear Admiral! ) First day in, he sat me down and said, YOU are going to help me make another rank, and I will help you advance as far as you can! He also said to me ( in private ) - I am going to mess with you today, remember it is to show the division discipline - don't take it personally. ( I didn't ) He went from E-1 to E-7 (DESIGNATE) TO O-2(E) all the way to O-6(E).
What a GREAT MAN! I was an E-2, and l left putting on E-5 when I left the ship!