Hard charger or slow and steady! Whats the best course of action?

2015-11-08T15:15:51-05:00

What do you think is better: completing all requirements (PME, education, certifications) as soon as possible thus forcing you to wait for a promotion to do anything else or slw down so that you can have something to put on your EPR every year?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2015 3:18 PM

2015-11-08T15:18:24-05:00

I'd say pace yourself but reassess your priorities every few months to make sure you're doing everything in a good order.

Response by TSgt Alex Benningfield made Nov 8 at 2015 3:24 PM

2015-11-08T15:24:11-05:00

I guess I should expand on this. So I have 2 CCAF degrees, my bachelors, 1 semester away from my masters, already completed NCOA as well as SEJPME. I can't do SNCOA course 14 until I put master on( yes they changed it again) and I've completed my work certifications. I won't have anything to do for the next year.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2015 3:30 PM

2015-11-08T15:30:57-05:00

its a competitive force so i would charge HARD

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Nov 8 at 2015 4:13 PM

2015-11-08T16:13:55-05:00

I've got this sticker on my Harley Helmet!

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Nov 8 at 2015 4:21 PM

2015-11-08T16:21:40-05:00

Slow and steady wins the race. Putting proper thought into something abouds rash decisions

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 8 at 2015 4:47 PM

2015-11-08T16:47:16-05:00

I'd say do what you feel comfortable with. I you can handle being a "hard charger" and doing all those things keep it going. Once you are finished find a productive area to refocus that energy.

Response by CAPT Tom Bersson made Nov 8 at 2015 5:22 PM

2015-11-08T17:22:32-05:00

I vote for balance. And at the end of the day performance is the key. I've seen some that got so caught up with other things that their performance slipped. Not good.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Nov 8 at 2015 5:23 PM

2015-11-08T17:23:20-05:00

Why one or the other? In my career I had problems with Crusader Rabbits as well as turtles. Take a look at the middle ground wherein you charge hard but for the right things for the right reasons at the right time and ease off the throttle for your development AND the development of your juniors. Hard chargers don't have time for that and it will get noticed negatively. Slugs tend to drag the system down so pace and focus yourself accordingly.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Nov 8 at 2015 5:30 PM

2015-11-08T17:30:39-05:00

I would say that it is not about getting them done as quickly as possible, but in a timely fashion. You never know what life will throw at you, so having them done makes sense. So of the choices, I would elect to get them done.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2015 3:01 AM

2015-11-09T03:01:06-05:00

It's a fantastic question! Let me know what you conclude?
I was advised to take the very "slow track" that you're referencing for the same reasons but found nothing but pushback from our immediate leadership who insisted it be done yesterday... Almost unrealistically at that.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2015 1:07 PM

2015-11-22T13:07:11-05:00

I am going with the hard charger approach. You never know when a better opportunity may present itself.