Why do so many folks advise new service members "Don't get noticed"?

2015-06-19T09:50:38-04:00

This is something I don't understand. I've always thought that the only times I don't want to get noticed are when I'm doing bad. If I'm actually doing things right, or at least staying motivated while everything is going wrong, it's good to be seen.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2015 9:56 AM

2015-06-19T09:56:45-04:00

I was told the same thing going through basic, I didn't take the advice however and i ended up getting SOC and got promoted leaving basic. I volunteered for everything and stayed positive, it went noticed, i have used that philosophy ever since and it's kept me on the good side of the ones with more rank than I.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2015 10:01 AM

2015-06-19T10:01:32-04:00

I always heard that the Navy stands for "Never Again Volunteer Yourself." That and keeping yourself from getting noticed was a huge thing in boot camp for us, but after I was always taught that it pays to stand out, but avoiding being a Blue Falcon. Hell, in the Navy it pays more than anything to stand out, cuz that's pretty well how we get promoted.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jun 19 at 2015 10:15 AM

2015-06-19T10:15:56-04:00

Like the "Telephone game" the message has been subtly changed over time.

It's not really "Don't get noticed," it's "Don't draw (try to) attention to yourself."

There is nothing wrong with being noticed or recognized for your skills or achievements. There "can" be something wrong with actively seeking to be recognized for it. The old "Your actions should speak for themselves."

I had a Sgt whose motto was "Attitude and Effort." Later I worked with a Maj and we jointly adopted a "Although you will be acknowledged for your efforts, you will be rewarded for your results." They are two sides of the same coin, neither of which falls under the don't get noticed ideal, but they aren't counter drawing attention to yourself (per above).

Response by CMSgt Mark Schubert made Jun 19 at 2015 10:40 AM

2015-06-19T10:40:08-04:00

I thought the choices were all "interesting"! :-)
The key is in Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS's response. Be the best you can be - and if that means you have some extra time - volunteer! Opportunities (as leaders call it) are put in front of you for a reason - it's your choice to either accept or decline (free will). If you accept, He will make you better! Then, one day, you will get your reward regardless of who notices while you are here!
I've also notice there are different personalities - some NEED to be recognized for doing something good - all the time - and then there are others who do a good job regardless of what medal they will get or what someone else will think (rectal-oral proficiency)!

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jun 19 at 2015 11:09 AM

2015-06-19T11:09:48-04:00

I think that they meant...don't stand out you'll be picked for details. That's how I interpreted it.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2015 11:12 AM

2015-06-19T11:12:01-04:00

Because in Basic Training, rarely does anyone do anything good. Someone always screws up. So people tell the new guys that to try and keep their mind on trying to NOT be "that guy"

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Jun 19 at 2015 11:53 AM

2015-06-19T11:53:40-04:00

My recommendation or advice to you and all soldiers going into Basic Training or experiencing this type of jargon is what my Dad told me before I left in 1975 for the military. "Son you don't listen to me now, but take this with you. Keep your mouth shut when it needs to be shut and pay attention - stand-up and make sure your heard when the time is right and you are right!"

Great advice. It was the only time I listened to my father. By the way I listen to him more now then I ever did - because I'm my Father's Father now!

The key to your comment above, for me anyway, is doing what you do right and great when people are watching and have that same attitude and military bearing when they aren't! You don't need to "show boat" to be a rock star!

Get that Gold Star 1LT William Clardy

Response by SSgt Dale W. made Jun 19 at 2015 12:42 PM

2015-06-19T12:42:03-04:00

1LT William Clardy From a personal standpoint, I don't understand the reasoning behind that type of attitude, although I can see it happen in all facets of society. I've come to some conclusions as to why and, again, while I don't understand people accepting less of themselves, I learned to accept facts as they are.

I've been taught, and decided for myself, that any task/job/play is worth doing to the very best of one's ability. Granted, I sometimes fall short, but how the hell else are you going to learn life's lessons?

Perhaps it has a lot to do with group conformity. In a union shop, the guy or gal that attempts to excel will get warned by the others to slow down, so the others don't look bad. In school, who would get called the teachers pet and get picked on? What about the kids that get picked on because they stand out in some way...that's not something we necessarily learned from our parents, at least as I relate to my own experience and memories.
In nature, the white or black wolf pup born into a pack of grays is often either shunned or forced to be the Omega.

Things that are out of the norm catch our attention, be it color, movement, sound, odor, etc. In the field, Bad Things can happen to the non-conformist in that regard.

I don't know if any of what I have said is true, simply my take on things. One thing I do know for a fact is that the more conformists there are, the greater the number of opportunities for us stand- outs to excel. So,all you conformists out there, go ahead, be the milk, because the cream always rises to the top.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 19 at 2015 12:43 PM

2015-06-19T12:43:02-04:00

Getting noticed in boot camp comes in two varieties. They're always looking for someone to make an example of good or bad, mostly bad. I was one of those who just did what they said and pretty much kept my mouth shut. Until.....

Have no idea why the DI sent me to try out for recruit Brigade Commander. That's the guy standing in front with the BIG mouth singing out commands that the whole graduating class can hear. Guess I was in when the judges jumped back when I opened my mouth. From then on it was my job to get noticed.

After boot camp, getting noticed while doing well in A School, being mostly cheerful doing my 90 days in the scullery, etc. gets you noticed in positive ways. We didn't see too much of success being considered a threat back in the day. You see it more now.

Response by SSG John Erny made Jun 19 at 2015 1:14 PM

2015-06-19T13:14:13-04:00

Cheeser!!!! PVT Snuffy eats Fumunda Cheese! Do they still use that in the New Army?

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jun 19 at 2015 1:16 PM

2015-06-19T13:16:47-04:00

Transforming individuals newly entering military service to trustworthy and competent military team members is a time honored tradition in this nation. We learned from those who trained us and those who fought against us in the founding of this nation. While the equipment, uniforms and methods of taking us to fight have changed many of the basic principles have not. Instilling discipline is a crucial principle in basic training. Self control come easier to some than others.
New recruits should ask questions when they don't understand instruction. This reduces injuries and damage. Asking questions can demonstrate courage and humility when the questions are honest and the intent is to learn not to simply draw attention to the questioner or worse another trainee.
In my military career I spent a lot of time in training as I expect most of you did, individual, small group, larger group training, new equipment training, etc.
Military service members should be trainable throughout our careers and even when we become expert in areas we can still learn from others. Many times I found that the new person who was not steeped in the organization tradition had some very fresh and good ideas.

Response by CW2 Joseph Evans made Jun 19 at 2015 6:08 PM

2015-06-19T18:08:15-04:00

There is an issue with becoming the "goto" guy. It is great to be recognized for your efforts and your results. THe trick is learning to say no when you get too much heaped on your plate. It really is about knowing your limits, staying quiet and learning when you "don't know" and stepping up and sounding off when you do.
As for your choices in the survey... They all carry a negative connotation for "Being the best you can be"... We want people to respect others and themselves and these particular phrases encourage work ethics that are not respected by the Soldier or the observer. When you have a job to do, do it well. If you don't know how to do it, ask. And above all, share the knowledge and the praise you get from a job well done.

Response by PFC Jacob Brunette made Jun 22 at 2015 10:51 AM

2015-06-22T10:51:04-04:00

unfortunately in today's military once you get noticed good or bad, you are on the radar and even the slightest of mistakes now costs you a write up and the reward for the good you do is non existent. you may get noticed but when it comes time for promotion or advanced training, you get passed over because the person who noticed you was to lazy to do the paperwork and give you that small insignificant award that meant the difference. but they had no issue doing the paperwork when you wore white socks in uniform. they even recommended a dishonorable discharge and a beheading just so no one else would follow your example. so you are better off not being noticed.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2015 12:36 PM

2015-06-22T12:36:15-04:00

I don't like saying 'don't get noticed'. I prefer to say that I use my own special technique: keeping my eyes open and my mouth shut. I also know when to 'play the game' which can mean play soccer during Officer PT when you can't stand sports or to act the part when in your NCOES/WOES/OES like you really care. Kind of like pretending that you enjoy getting together at 0545 in the morning to go running 5 miles behind 50 people that don't know how to shower or brush their teeth.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 22 at 2015 1:14 PM

2015-06-22T13:14:01-04:00

Sometimes kickass soldiers are labeled "suck ups".

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Jun 22 at 2015 1:21 PM

2015-06-22T13:21:08-04:00

The rule really only applies in Basic training. It came from "Don't volunteer and don't get noticed." Nobody wanted to be assigned latrine cleaning. After that, you better get noticed as a "squared away professional troop" or just enjoy your initial contract and move on to other things.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 22 at 2015 9:10 PM

2015-06-22T21:10:03-04:00

I think it's a carry over from the draft days where troops were just trying to get through a two or three year contract and get on with their lives.

Best advice I ever got on enlisting was, "Don't listen to the guys who tell you to never volunteer. Volunteer for everything." It's true. In todays military, you're already a volunteer, you might as well get your time's worth out of it. Work hard, volunteer for everything, do what needs to be done without waiting to be told to, and get noticed. Yes your life will be tougher than that of the guy who skates, but you're getting the most out of your career.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 23 at 2015 12:14 AM

2015-06-23T00:14:35-04:00

Getting noticed for "bad" is obvious-- you get punished.

Getting noticed for "good" means you are perceived as an apple-polisher or glory hound-- "Mr. Bigshot that wants to be in charge". If they put you in charge, chances are it is to set you up to fail to deflate your ego.

But yeah, it makes a "damned if you do; damned if you don't" kind of system, though. Frustrating.