What was the best piece of advice given to you in the military?

SPC Makissa Lewis — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 10:50:48 -0400

My best piece advice given is to always dress for the job you want.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 10:55 AM

A1C Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 10:55:26 -0400

The best advice I was ever given was to work like you have one more stripe, and respect everyone like you have one less.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 11:02 AM

SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 11:02:38 -0400

Be your own advocate.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Jun 24 at 2015 11:59 AM

Capt Mark Strobl — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 11:59:45 -0400

From Captain George Miller, USN (Ret). "You pick the neighborhood, let her pick the house." (He officiated our wedding.)

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jun 24 at 2015 12:08 PM

COL Charles Williams — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 12:08:02 -0400

Grow where you are planted! That means do your best in every job you are given, whether you like the job/assignment or not. Good things happen to people who work hard and do their best 24/7.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 12:27 PM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 12:27:22 -0400

Be in the right place at the right time and in the proper uniform.

Response by Cpl Mathew Heath made Jun 24 at 2015 12:34 PM

Cpl Mathew Heath — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 12:34:28 -0400

The best advice I got was from my Vietnam Vet, Navy Corpsman Father when I left for boot camp. "Do what you're told, keep your mouth shut, never volunteer for anything, and they will never know you are there."

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 24 at 2015 12:40 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 12:40:59 -0400

You are done with your career. Don't fight it. Retire and get fixed.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Jun 24 at 2015 1:22 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 13:22:36 -0400

When I entered OSUT, a crusty old SSG at reception told me and a few others, "You have 2 ears and one mouth, utilize the 2 and keep the other one shut and you will be successful."

Response by SGT Jeremiah B. made Jun 24 at 2015 1:24 PM

SGT Jeremiah B. — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 13:24:47 -0400

The best way to not get ordered around is to never have to be ordered to do anything. Get your shit done, get it done right and if you see a problem, fix it.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 24 at 2015 1:29 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 13:29:19 -0400

Take care of your shipmate. Got interesting looks when I was picking trash off the deck as an O-5. Good habit to get into.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Jun 24 at 2015 1:54 PM

MSgt James Mullis — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 13:54:41 -0400

The difference between a good haircut and a bad one is three days. While it may seem esoteric, the advice can be stretched to meet just about any situation you face. It is basically saying no matter how bad things may seem today, in time they will get better.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 24 at 2015 1:57 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 13:57:47 -0400

"Hunt the good stuff," and "It's the little things."

Response by LCDR Bruce Cooley made Jun 24 at 2015 2:01 PM

LCDR Bruce Cooley — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 14:01:00 -0400

The best advice I ever recieved in the military, and that I've applied throughout both my military and civilian life is that the only person who will stand in your way to success.....is you! Persistence is a virtue, and you can go where you want (and work for) to go.

Response by SSgt Dale W. made Jun 24 at 2015 9:04 PM

SSgt Dale W. — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 21:04:52 -0400

Screwing off and screwing up are both the same things, except when you screw up you got caught. Don't screw up!

I always smile thinking about that one.

Response by SSgt Dale W. made Jun 24 at 2015 9:06 PM

SSgt Dale W. — Wed, 24 Jun 2015 21:06:03 -0400

SPC Makissa Lewis "My best piece advice given is to always dress for the job you want."
Like Cpl Klinger in MASH?

Response by SGT Joshua Chavez made Aug 31 at 2018 6:24 AM

SGT Joshua Chavez — Fri, 31 Aug 2018 06:24:43 -0400

"Only John Wayne's come home in body bags"

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Aug 31 at 2018 10:51 AM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Fri, 31 Aug 2018 10:51:52 -0400

Don't get comfortable briefing off your laptop because sometime you might have to brief without it.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2019 12:10 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 07 Jun 2019 12:10:40 -0400

never volunteer. you're going to be voluntold anyway and if you volunteer you just increase your chances of being voluntold the next time.

this from a crusty old SGM when I was a brand new 2LT. "Always have two hats. That way you can leave one on your desk and go goof off and everyone will still think you are somewhere in the area."

Response by A1C Debra Miller made Nov 17 at 2022 12:16 AM

A1C Debra Miller — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 00:16:07 -0500

Safety First

Response by SSG Sandra Novak made Nov 17 at 2022 1:22 AM

SSG Sandra Novak — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 01:22:02 -0500

Best advice ever given to me was by my drill Sgt in basic when your ready to give it all up… suck it up and drive on!!

Response by SPC James Neidig made Nov 17 at 2022 2:20 AM

SPC James Neidig — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 02:20:42 -0500

The Best Advice I Was Given Was To Learn Everything About Your Job That Will Make You The Go-To Person To Get The Job Done,
Then Learn The Job Of The Next Person Above You In Rank, Also Learn Other Skills That Will Help Your Unit,
I Can Give You An Example From My Time As A 88M Vehicle Driver, I Learned Maintenance Skills Above The Usual PMCS , I Always Carried A Tool Bag, If Something Happens Out In The Field Away From Maintenance Personnel ,
A Lot Of Times I Could Do A Repair To Keep The Vehicle Mission Capable Until We Could Get To The Maintenance Facility,
So To Make It Simple Is Learn Your Job First
Then The Next Person Above Your Job Then The Job Of The Person Who Supports You

Response by PVT Ted Rodosovich made Feb 17 at 2023 4:15 AM

PVT Ted Rodosovich — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 04:15:52 -0500

Carefully judge being first. The early pioneers got the arrows.