Have you dealt with career killers and were you able to mitigate the dangers they posed to your career?

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 12:09:55 -0400

As a Cpl my command was sent a letter from HQMC, asking for recommendations for me to be considered for MECEP. At the time my CO, lets call him Major X, decided I did not "Look" like a Marine. He denied the request for personal appearance reason, though I was within regs, passed PFT's 1st class, shot expert on rifle and pistol, high pro/con marks, I was the Co. FTO and I was an Honor Graduate from my LE course. This same Major advanced a a LCPL through two Meritorious promotions (Cpl & Sgt). This particular Sgt could not lead his way out of bathroom stall, but he "Looked" like a Marine. As well this Major denied my promotion to Sgt 3 times, because I did not "Look" like a Marine. This Major was the major reason (pardon the pun) that I decided against re-enlisting. I have dubbed him a career killer as he effectively killed any desire I had to continue in a Corps I love. Hind sight being what it is I should have found my Zen spot, worked around him and continued on. However, the Corps is small, the MP field even smaller; I would have encountered him again, and dealt with the same prejudice. So the question I pose, have you dealt with career killers and were you able to mitigate the dangers they posed to your career?

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2014 12:50 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Jun 2014 12:50:22 -0400

Cpl, all I can say brother is adapt, improvise, and overcome. I had a similar issue with a LtCol. Who was not professional in my opinion. So because of his failure to Lead I left The Corps which I also love. I can not answer your question but I do feel your pain.

Response by Cpl D. Blake Wilson made Jun 18 at 2014 12:32 PM

Cpl D. Blake Wilson — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 12:32:56 -0400

Have you considered banging his wife?

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Jun 18 at 2014 12:50 PM

LTC Paul Labrador — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 12:50:58 -0400

Did you talk to your 1SG or CSM? I'm not sure how it works in the Marines, but in the Army, those senior NCOs have a big part in who gets recommended and who doesn't.

Response by Cpl Brett Wagner made Jun 18 at 2014 3:05 PM

Cpl Brett Wagner — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 15:05:45 -0400

Cpl Hicks - Maybe this Major (let's call him Powell like in Heartbreak Ridge) was an a-hole. Couldn't you re up and get transferred to a new unit? I wish I had stayed in but I can only blame myself for being dumb. I knew a guy in a different unit than mine who was a weight lifter and had the same problem in his unit. He re up'd xfered to our unit and the C.O. & SgtMaj could not have loved him more. Have you ever seen a picture of Top Gowling power lifter circa 1982? He did not "look" like a Marine either but I'm betting the Major would not have said that being within reach of the Top. One more quote from Gunny Highway "Don't give the prick the satisfaction."

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Jun 18 at 2014 3:36 PM

CPT Zachary Brooks — Wed, 18 Jun 2014 15:36:52 -0400

At the first unit I was assigned to the command staff (Company Commander, BN XO, and BN Commander) all had a hate on for me and I could never figure out why. They also did not follow the general approach of "You are a 2LT and you messed up, here is how you messed up so you can fix it for next time." Here it was more like "You messed up, step on your throat, kick you in the balls, and spit on your face." Might have been because I was not an engineer like them.

I spent two years attempted to get a position with Cyber Command as it was standing up. Through my perseverence I eventually got them to accept me as an assistant S-3 full time on a two year contract. The LTC decided that since he hated me he would ruin that and ensure I had a very poor OER (three years at that assignment and one OER). This not only ruined the opportunity for me, but also for the PA Guard to have a connection with Cyber Command. Through a lucky break I managed to get out of the unit (where they wanted to keep me to crush my career) and busted my butt elsewhere. I got promoted to CPT (about two years later than I wanted to) but I am still on track to make MAJ right on time even if that hadn't happened.

Without the higher ups looking out for me that could have easily been a career ender right there. I might still be stuck in that horrible unit (as a non promotable 1LT) waiting until they threw me out.

Its an experience I will keep with me always and remember that properly mentoring soldiers that mess up is the right way to go about it, not continuing to beat them down until they no longer want to try or are willing to drive their car off a bridge on their way to drill just so they don't need to put up with the crap anymore (actually went through my head).