As a new soldier in today's Army, what are some key things that a specialist should be focusing on to make the Army a life-long career?

Great answer!

That the best advice. Your family will be here when the army isn't. Never put the army ahead of your family

I disagree. Soldiers that place themselves or their family before the Army rarely succeed. You take care of your family by placing the Army's needs above your own and your family so that you can get promoted. Only by being promoted can you attain the financial security that you will need for the long haul. You, as a Soldier, are expected to sacrifice for the Army; your family must do the same. Getting promoted also allows you to take better care of your Soldiers. We have all had terrible leaders, don't be one. Attain rank and be a good caring leader so that your subordinates can also achieve great things. No doubt, you will be physically broke when you retire, all of us are if you stay in long enough. It is a far cry better to be retired as a Master Sergeant or Sergeant Major then as a Staff Sergeant. You don't make Sergeant Major without sacrifice but the rewards are amazing.

You captured it exactly correct in writing "it's a 24/7/365 identity & lifestyle"!

Very well said MAJ Rubio. I cant stress the education part enough, both military and college. After your family, focus on them. Even if you only take 1 college class at a time.

Sir, on point 5.... TA is the way to go. I recommend not to use the G.I. Bill while in service. While a Soldier is authorized to use it, it comes with some very harsh negatives. Under the 9/11 G.I. Bill, you only have 36 months of benefits, and it doesn't matter if you take only one class, or a hundred classes in a semester. Most AD Soldiers only have the time to take one or maybe 2 classes a semester, in which case, they would fall short of being a full time student. Here is how the payments work: Full time is based on 12 semester hours. The school gets paid first for tuition (amount doesn't matter), then the student gets a $500 stipend for books, and finally, the student receives their portion (mine was $1400 for a full month) for living expenses. A full time student gets 100% of the living expense money; a 3/4 student gets 75% of the same money; a 1/2 time student gets only 50% of the money; and anyone under 1/2, loses the living expense money. While still on Active Duty, you don't get the Living Expense money, and you don't get full benefits if under 36 months of service. While G.I. Bill pays better than TA, once you use it, any months used are lost from the total eligible months. This means that it is better to save the G.I. Bill benefits for after leaving service, while using TA while still in. Additionally, TA can only apply to the Soldier, but the G.I. Bill can be transferred to the children. I would suggest that anyone attempting to get higher education while on Active Duty go see their Education Center prior to making any decisions.

I would add to that fine list; NETWORK. Keep in touch with every squared away person you meet. You will never know everything you need to know but somebody that you have met will know the answer. If not, they know someone else with the answer. You should be able to call up a contact nearly every place that you deploy, go TDY, or get assigned to. I would also add establish communications with your Branch Manager at HRC. Yes, many of them are worthless, but most of them will work with you IF you are willing to compromise. Your assignments, and the opportunities that come with them, will make or break your career. Take hard jobs, do them exceptionally well, and make sure your evaluations and awards reflect what you have done.

Great answer!

Education - both civilian and military. In this day and age of online this and that, there really is no excuse not to complete at least a bachelor's degree. Military education - seek the leadership schools (in my day they were called PLDC, BNCOC, ANCOC) and seek the tactical schools as well, if slots still remain.

SGT Forrest Stewart - two words that are more than a mouth full in this situation but mark on! One thing I'm beginning to hate is this saying, "Today's Army" the equipment changes the soldiers remain the same. Even the way we do things? No matter what SSG C Ganious has a great answer.

SSG Melvin Nulph - indeed. I too don't like the 'Today's Army' theme. America's Army may be more motivational...