What's the wisest thing you ever heard from a senior NCO?

That is a great question SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. ! Obviously, if you can make it to the Rank of Colonel, starting as a Private, you listen to a lot of NCOs. I have two:

1. SFC Young, my first PSG, 472nd MP Co, Fort Wainwright AK, told me early in my career as young PV2, how the promotion system works, and that I alone control my future: Go to college, take correspondence courses, go to any training available, max your PT test, etc. In 1980/81, he was an uncommon NCO in my view.

2. CSM Morris, my first CSM from Battalion Command, used to explain to new Sergeants, at his NCO induction ceremony the importance of NCOs checking, checking, and checking again. His example was "SGT Checked on It" vs. SGT Told you So." Meaning good NCOs actually check personally vs. just asking if all is accounted for, ready, etc. I use his example a lot.

If was successful in the Army, I owe it all to NCOs, and our Soldiers.

I was a PFC and selected to be the driver for the CSM. My platoon sergeant told me to be professional but be myself around the CSM and I would be fine. The first time I was supposed to drive the CSM he walked out of the HQs, got in the jeep and said "Do you know where you're going Oldsen"? I said, "roger CSM I studied the route with the battalion commanders driver". The CSM said, "you're shitting me"? I said, "I wouldn't shit you CSM you're my favorite turd"?

My platoon sergeant wasn't too happy when I walked back in the CP...

That same CSM was the commandant for the NCO academy when I went to BNCOC as a Sergeant, many moons later. He remembered me and while I was doing push ups outside his office he told me "Oldsen, don't ever forget where you come from". That was the wisest thing I ever heard from a senior NCO.

I will gladly go 1st...

From a training SGT in survival class
"The probability of you surviving is inversely proportional to the time it takes you to eat your 1st bug"