Does Military Rank define the person?

TSgt Kevin Buccola This is a good thread. I think sometimes people get hung up on rank defining the person. I was only a private when I was in, but that doesn't mean I don't have leadership skills or abilities. I ran my own firm for almost 13 years prior to moving to federal govt and sat on the executive board of directors for a chamber of commerce, as well as other nonprofits. I sort of feel like folks look at my profile and think I'm a washout because of the rank. I am proud of my service albeit short, but there's more to me than meets the eye.

I often use an expression, "Not all money is good money."

You simply can't put price tags on happiness, self confidence, great relationships, having no regrets, and personal pride!

Sounds like you hit those areas in your career, regardless of your rank or paycheck....keep on smiling!

TSgt Kevin Buccola, military rank does not define you... unless you let it. Some people put a lot of focus and energy into progressing through the rank system and others do not. Sometimes you see retirees who still use thier rank (think of the 'experts' you see on news shows). As in your case, for other people, rank is less important to them.

Personally, I find myself somewhere in the middle. I'm proud to have progressed through the enlisted ranks (E1-E8), but I had no problem "starting over" in the Officer Corps. I'm asked constantly by NCOs (and some officers) why I would transition so late knowing that I'll likely retire as a Captain instead of a Command Sergeant Major. For me, it was an easy decision. For me, it's more about the journey, than it is about the destination. I wouldn't change a thing.

Something else we must consider though is that not everyone thinks like we do. People will see that you were "only" a TSgt when you retired, just as they'll see that I was "only" a CPT and they'll assume something went wrong.