You're either "outstanding or outprocessing."

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 16:49:34 -0500

If you are in the service long enough, eventually you hear something along these lines.

What does the collective wisdom of RP say?

Does everyone have to be shooting for E9/GO?
Does [insert branch here] need people who are just good at their job and not the education/volunteer person?
Does the drawdown effect your view point?

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2014 4:58 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 16:58:40 -0500

That is the nature of the beast. At the end of the day we are here to defend our nation. The nation deserves the brightest and the best. One day I will not be that. On that day I will retire and pass the torch. The Army is not here for us. The military in general does offer a lot of benefits but they are to reward you for your service.

In some cases this is hard to understand. How can you tell a soldier that he is injured will be medically discharged. He may fill that he can do the job but in all honestly he will not be 100%. And that is what the military asks for.

In the promotion aspect you should aspire to serve the military the best you can. Why else would you be serving. The higher you promote the better you can serve the Army. Just think if Patton thought to himself "I just want to be a Company Commander and that is it." He would have cheated the Nation one of the best generals in military history. The more you have to offer the more you should give.

If you are just doing the bare minimum then that is what you are offering the military. If someone else is offering their all and that is able to produce a better result what would you expect from the military. It is a organisation that is self sustaining. It needs to shed those that don't offer to better it. The issue is that there is really no one out there that is bad. Just not the best. It makes it a hard decision to lose them but you can't keep everyone.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2014 4:59 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 16:59:06 -0500

TSgt Joshua Copeland, not everybody needs to be outstanding, but I think the point is that everyone should be striving to do their best - every day - not resting on their laurels, kicking back, thinking they have "made it." Those are the folks who give any organization a bad name.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2014 5:03 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 17:03:41 -0500

The drawdown is just a normal process of escalation for war and deescalation for post war.

When you work in a bureaucratic environment such as federal civil service or the military, the term "outstanding" has little merit.

Ultimately, the military is a career for many of us, and, as such, we should pursue those assignments that shape who we want to become, or what we believe.

Success should be defined by the individual, not necessarily by the institution.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2014 5:09 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 17:09:25 -0500

Outmaneuvering, though. If a soldier writes "checkmate" on a 4856, please post a photo. :) That's meme material.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2014 6:19 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 18:19:43 -0500

TSgt Joshua Copeland I never heard that phrase before, but me personally I am always striving to do my best, and to reach that E9 pay grade. Will I make it? who knows, but at least I'll know that I tried.

Response by SMSgt Judy Hickman made Dec 10 at 2014 10:44 PM

SMSgt Judy Hickman — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 22:44:50 -0500

I do not thing everyone needs to be shooting for E9/GO, but hopefully they have goals. I have airman right now who have joined the military to help them get to their next goal or some have joined because they don't what their next step is, hopefully we will give them the experience they need/want to make those next decisions.

I definitely thing the AF needs people who are really good at there job, I work with a lot of folks like that and they usually make E-7 but refuse to accomplish the minimum requirements to go pass that. It doesn't mean that they are a sucky SNCO or that they are bad at their job, it just means they are happy being a good (whatever) and don't need or want to be pulled out their job to do administrative work.

No the drawdown didn't have any influence on my point of view. I've always felt this way.

Response by SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2014 9:24 AM

SMSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Dec 2014 09:24:00 -0500

MSgt Copeland, I believe in our core values. Integrity, Service before Self and Excellence in all we do. With that being said, leaders should be holding their personnel to the standard. Part of making the grade of E-9 is having higher education, community involvement and volunteer service. Not everyone in our Military has that drive and motivation to obtain this well rounded and polished mindset and that is the reason why only 1% makes it to E-9. It is our responsibility as leaders to paint a clear and precise picture on what the future of our military has in store for us. We have the ability to read the writing on the wall so to speak. Having that forthought helps prepare our folks for the trying times to ahead and possibly promotions. In addition, higher education, community involvement and volunteerism helps to build resumes for smooth transitions into the civilian world if they are inclined to do so. I just got the results of my R-EDP back and I am in the top 3% of all MSgt's in my career field. I received very good advice from senior leaders that are vectoring my career. I just picked up a CMSgt position and will be moving in the next two months.