Would you consider your career as a failure, if you dont achieve certain ranks i.e SFC-E7, MSG-E8, SGM/CSM E9?

2015-01-28T13:04:52-05:00

Job satisfaction or employee satisfaction has been defined in many different ways. Some believe it is simply how content an individual is with his or her job, in other words, whether or not they like the job or individual aspects or facets of jobs, such as nature of work or supervision.

Also job satisfaction” is understood to mean everything from “making all aspects of a job
easy for employees” to “making the job meaningful, significant and challenging.”

Would you be content if you don't achieve those postions?

Would be happy if you retired in your current position?

Response by MSgt Michael Durkee made Jan 28 at 2015 1:08 PM

2015-01-28T13:08:58-05:00

I personally wanted to reach a goal of E7 or higher, there has been a stigma in the past of not achieving that upon retirement. I was in a very difficult AFSC/MOS and it was difficult to make rank, but I established my goal.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2015 1:14 PM

2015-01-28T13:14:10-05:00

I wouldn't consider it a failure. Even if you have done everything you can, it is still up to the people in the largest office building that makes the decisions. If E-7 or higher is the goal, but not achieved, it is certainly disappointing but not a failure. I would only consider it a failure if those ranks are your goals but do nothing to get there.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Jan 28 at 2015 1:22 PM

2015-01-28T13:22:30-05:00

I separated from the Army for promises to myself that I made as a private however, had I stayed in if I did not make E-7 or better I would not have deemed my career a failure. I am pretty sure I would have made at least E-7 but that is a guess. I would have been content in making E-6 or if I did not make it I would have been content to retire at E-5.

Response by PO1 Chris Crawley made Jan 28 at 2015 1:24 PM

2015-01-28T13:24:40-05:00

I was highly disappointed to not make Chief, but considering what the CPO Mess has morphed into over the past decade, maybe it is a good thing they didn't let me into the club.
I was, and am, old school.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2015 1:27 PM

2015-01-28T13:27:29-05:00

Once I arrived at my first duty station I set for myself three primary goals for my military career.

1) Deploy and earn a CMB.
2) Attend and graduate from a "hooah school." Airborne, Air Assault, Pathfinder, etc.
3) Become an NCO.

I achieved all three and then some, and as such I'm very proud of what I've accomplished. I have no regrets not staying in to achieve higher rank.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2015 3:17 PM

2015-01-28T15:17:01-05:00

My goal was to survive. Goal Achieved, I am a success!

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Jan 28 at 2015 5:19 PM

2015-01-28T17:19:27-05:00

Having 2 Breaks in service, totaling 11 yrs, and in the National Guard, if I reach E-6 I will be highly impressed. That is What I am striving for. Would Like to make E-7 but with only 5 and 1/2 yrs til I hit my 20 Yrs. Probably not.

Response by SSG John Erny made Jan 28 at 2015 5:22 PM

2015-01-28T17:22:31-05:00

I was happy with getting retired as an E-6, it was a great honor to retire for me.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jan 28 at 2015 7:42 PM

2015-01-28T19:42:58-05:00

MSG Private RallyPoint Member Job satisfaction; will first and foremost it was an HONOR TO SERVE DUTY HONOR COUNTRY TO THE FULLEST OF MY POTENTIAL. If you look at my profile, you will see I attainted a lot, but the greatest accomplishment of all is to go to war, fight, win and survive with my comrades. I only attained SERGEANT FIRST CLASS rank and I will die with that status I earned. With 25 years and 3 days in the Army, with a HONORABLE DISCHARGE I can live with that. The MEMORIES ARE PRICELESS and the NAMES ARE UNFORGETABLE THAT MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRAFICE FOR DUTY HONOR COUNTRY IN MY SOUL!!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2015 7:49 PM

2015-01-28T19:49:08-05:00

My goal is to become a warrant officer. If I don't make it then, I'm fine. All I can say is I tried. Being part of the best NCO corps in the world is enough satisfaction for me.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2015 8:01 PM

2015-01-28T20:01:36-05:00

I'm not concerned with rank, but I REALLY want to get back in, even if only the Reserves, to do at least 20 (I have about 12 left to serve after a 13 year break in service). I began in the Army, but didn't even get to my first duty station (injured in AIT).

Then I did a full enlistment (and extension) for the Navy on Submarines, but I always felt like there was a piece missing.

I thought the missing piece was education, so I went and got a degree, then another degree, then a Masters degree. It wasn't education...

After working with veterans in higher education, I realized I miss the military way of life and really need to complete what I started 20+ years ago...

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2015 8:04 PM

2015-01-28T20:04:57-05:00

I think it all depends on how an individual measures their own success. I have a personal goal of making Chief, but I'm choosing to focus on my current performance with hopes that it will be recognized. If it is and I am picked up for a Chief position, I'll be thrilled. If not, I'll retire knowing that I did everything I could for the troops that I lead - and the wing, NAF, or MAJCOM I support.

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Jan 28 at 2015 8:08 PM

2015-01-28T20:08:55-05:00

I would only consider it if you are forced out due to lack of promotibility. I know some who were.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2015 8:15 PM

2015-01-28T20:15:31-05:00

Personally i strive to be the best I can be at what I do. In saying that I am almosf to my RCP as an AGR and really am considering calling it done. I have three more years and based on history of mh field and ots promotion rate, i can easily say it is time to leave this to younger crowds and move on to the next chapter of my life.

Response by MSgt Mike Standefer made Jan 28 at 2015 8:40 PM

2015-01-28T20:40:24-05:00

SFC Carmelo,
BLUF: No.

I believe our goals at the beginning of our careers are spot on with the macro goal of attaining rank, particularly rank above E7, is a great goal. I realized success is not measured by rank. Seen too many E8-9s that were less success and all rank.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jan 28 at 2015 9:01 PM

2015-01-28T21:01:47-05:00

Keeping in mind I got out, not from lack of promotability though.

Coming from the Marine Corps side, the way rank ties into MOS means face "challenges" reaching the upper ranks.

As an example, in the 02xx Occ Field, we have (had?) 9x MGySgt, who came from each of the specialties. So Analysts (0231), Imagery (0241), Humint (0211 & 0251 they were merged at one point), and Topo (0261).

When I first joined, we had SSgt-GySgts at the BN level and MSgts at the Rgt level. The problem with this was that once you hit GySgt (which can happen as early as 10-12 years in the Intel field), you can sit there until 20-22 years. A MSgt goes even farther.

We had one MGySgt with 14 years Time in Grade when he retired (at 30 years).

Him sitting in grade literally kept every other SNCO below him from getting promoted until he retired (or died), not only in our field, but in each feeder MOS.

So all that said. Some of the Gunnys & MSgts just never had the chance to get promoted because there was never any MSgt & MGySgts billets open. They didn't fail, they just didn't have an opportunity.

I was "in zone" for SSgt when I got out, and likely would have picked it up had I stayed in. I would have liked to have pinned it on, however getting out was the right decision at the time.

I could play the hindsight game all day long, but I can't say I have any real regrets, and I definitely don't think of my career as a failure because I didn't achieve a specific rank.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jan 28 at 2015 9:08 PM

2015-01-28T21:08:31-05:00

Tough call..
Did I have goals... YES I did.
But I learned first hand, it's not always what you do, it can be where you are and what your given / allowed to do. And that can impact promotion selection.
So for me, success / failure was task/ mission/ assigned duty driven

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2015 4:52 AM

2015-01-29T04:52:56-05:00

If I retire a SSG at 20 years of service I will retire a SSG at 20 years and be proud of my service. Everyone defines success differently. To me it's not about how many rockers are on my chest, the awards I've received. It's about enjoying what I do and doing the best I can while I'm here. I have come to realize that when it's my turn to get promoted, God will set the pieces of the promotion board in order for me. If not, I will finish out the next five years, clean out my desk, turn in my TA50, sign Copy 4 of my DD214 and once again move into the civilian sector.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2015 5:17 AM

2015-01-30T05:17:31-05:00

I will retire in a couple years and I have no regrets. Now, you could say that's easy for me to say because I have reached the highest enlisted rank however, I never really had a "goal" to achieve it. I always just worried about doing the job I had at the rank I held to the best of my ability. I never really got wrapped around the axle about being passed over on a selection board, I just updated my records and ensured they were good to go for the next board. Majority of the vets on this post hit it right on the head and should be proud of the rank they achieved and the selfless service they provided this country and their brothers and sisters.

Being a higher rank isn't all it's cracked up to be, sure it's a couple more retirement bucks in your pocket but I miss being a SFC platoon sergeant down in the dirt with my boys.

Good post!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2015 1:10 PM

2015-01-30T13:10:56-05:00

A successful NCO will know what his or her daily goals are, and will never judge success of another based on some visible indicator of success. NCO must focus on the three Ps for direction: pride, performance, and professionalism.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2015 1:24 PM

2015-01-30T13:24:27-05:00

When I worked at Walgreens, there was a cashier that had worked there for more than 42 years, don't know if she's still there. She loved her job and she did it with the same passion everyday. Now, in the Army, I don't get the point of getting rid of soldiers that doesn't want to get promoted. If you have a Specialist that is the best in what he does, is a tip top soldier but just doesn't want to get promoted, why you have to kick him out when he gets to 8 years? Not every good player is a good coach.
My career is just starting but my goals while in service goes further than just stripes and rockers but to make an impact in those that I'll lead. And for that, there's no need for rank SFC Private RallyPoint Member

P.D. Did you have to open a ticket in AKO to get your profile name fixed because of the two last names like me? I had to print every single certificate again once they changed it.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jan 30 at 2015 2:33 PM

2015-01-30T14:33:55-05:00

Nope. In some MOS's, the odds of you seeing anything beyond 6 or 7 are equivalent to that of being struck by lightning while being attacked by a left handed shark named Fred. Sometimes it's just a numbers game...

Response by Cpl Dr Ronnie Manns made Feb 4 at 2015 12:46 PM

2015-02-04T12:46:47-05:00

No because I was a success when I graduated basic training and was able to hold my head up and my chest out as I paraded around that deck and earned the title United States Marine. That was my goal and I achieved it, if later I set a goal to reach a certain rank, whether I reached that rank or not will never diminish my accomplishment of earning the title Marine. No goal is defined by another, in my opinion, however I do see them as building upon each other.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2015 5:02 PM

2015-02-04T17:02:29-05:00

For me it's getting commissioned. At this point as a JAG. I joined the reserve originally with no plan to stay enlisted and here I am 8 years end.

Response by PO2 Paul Pender made Feb 4 at 2015 7:00 PM

2015-02-04T19:00:45-05:00

I would not consider it a failure but definitely highly disappointing. I was in a very difficult rate that was made more difficult when the first drawdown flooded the rate with AD sailors being booted out and into the TAR/FTS ranks. They cut the billets by half at the E-6 and above ranks. The old saying Choose your Rate Choose your Fate definitely applied to me. In order for me to make E-6 would have taken nearly maxing out in all areas. If I had been Reg Nav I would have probably made Master Chief. LOL I was in "C" school and those who made E-6 made it with a 40. I consistently scored in the High 60's. When my one squadron had been given to Decom I was next in line to be "capped" and there were no more Caps to be given. Unfortunately it is what is and I am just thankful to be Retired Sailor and an American.

Response by SFC Russell Shaw made Feb 2 at 2016 5:01 PM

2016-02-02T17:01:26-05:00

No many of your more technical skills the you move much slower but you get some great training. I was in a slow moving skill as far as rank goes but what I learned as my skill has been paying back big dividends all my life.