What was your greatest leadership, personal or "military challenge?"

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 19:48:42 -0500

What is or was your greatest challenge... how did you approach it, overcome it, and how has it shaped your leadership or working style? In our military careers, we've encountered unique circumstances and numerous challenges, many of which can serve as case studies for young and up-and-coming leaders. So, how did you achieve successful results, or how did you learn from a humbling experience or from missing-the-mark? For our Guard, Reserve and Veterans and for those w/ significant broken service time--and/or a leadership challenge that doesn't fit "neatly into the military box"--please feel free to share your experiences from private industry, federal gov't, the contract world, or anywhere you may've gained valuable insight or experience. For those still serving here's your opportunity to provide input to our "up-and-coming" leaders; we have some fine leaders here, so I'm certain this will be a great discussion... now let's pull up a keyboard and get this thing started; thank you for all that you do, and... see you all in the discussion threads!

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Nov 26 at 2013 7:53 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Tue, 26 Nov 2013 19:53:51 -0500

My biggest challenge was when I was a platoon sergeant in the 1st WTU.  We had no squad leaders, no support staff.  Just a 1SG and a CO and over 80 in my platoon.  My day was spent tracking down about 40 people who didn't show up for formation making sure they didn't overdose in their rooms last night.  Finding out why they missed their 30th appointment.  Stop them from selling all their drugs and being exempt from being in trouble for it.<div>Watching spouses walk into a room of a dying patient on a burn unit with her new boyfriend waiting on him to die so she could collect her check.</div><div>Having a soldier commit suicide because his girl friend couldn't handle the way he looked anymore and when he flew down to Miami to propose to her after about 30 surgeries she laughed at him.  Getting the phone call at 2am right before he pulls the trigger and then have to get blamed by his mother for not taking care of him properly.</div><div>By far the most challenging position in my career but also the most rewarding.  Taking care of our fallen.</div>

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2013 4:11 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 16:11:53 -0500

When going into my first Reserve Unit, my BN CMD specified that we (All the CPT) had to listen to all commands of a Junior Captain. This is a challenge when he disrespects the Soldiers and Condems the Officers in front of the Soldiers. I spoke with my XO and once the unit gets back from Texas, then I only listen to him and of course the BN CMD. It just makes it hard to see such bad leadership and be told from the top you cannot do anything about it.

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made Nov 28 at 2013 8:38 PM

CMDCM Gene Treants — Thu, 28 Nov 2013 20:38:10 -0500

I gave this a lot of thought and had many different challenges hit me as big from tough COs when I was a Command master Chief too Admirals who really thought they knew everything there was to know, but none of those were the toughest. The biggest leadership Challenge was when I was Assigned as a Company Commander (CC) in the Integrated Training Brigade, Service Schools Command (SSC), Great Lakes, Il. The first Challenge was this was a new concept for the Navy and (SSC). CC's were Military Training Instructors, Barracks Managers, and Jack-of-All-Trades. CC's were new positions, needed as a response to the fact that no one was responsible for the training and behavior of newly assigned students at SSC, mostly from Recruit Training. I had the additional Challenge of having the responsibility of a Female Company, which had used up 3 previous male CCs because of rumors of fraternization and/or sexual misconduct. I approached this job/challenge as I did everything else in my career to that point, I was a professional and treated all of my sailors as professionals. On my first meeting with my assistant CC and the members of the Company, I expressed what I expected from them and listened to what they needed. From that point on we had very few problems, and the few we had were handled professionally. In 6 months, I was made the Battalion Adjutant, responsible for three Companies. All by being and expecting professionalism. And no there were never ANY accusations of Sexual Misconduct or Fraternization of any type, mainly because there was none.

Response by SPC Randall Davis made Mar 27 at 2014 1:05 PM

SPC Randall Davis — Thu, 27 Mar 2014 13:05:06 -0400

If I can share a life and death challenge, it has ruled my life because of coming out of it alive, my hope is that someone else can read this and find the strength to overcome. I grew up in rural Virginia, just west of Richmond. Being a country boy, I grew up hunting, shooting, being a woodsman. I also grew up through the Vietnam era, wanting to be GI Joe. I studied military history at the Library in school and survival manuals from the Army/Navy Surplus store. I had it in my head that all I wanted to do was serve my Country and be a soldier. I left Virginia in high school and went to live with my Dad and new stepmother in SanDiego,CA. Once arriving in Southern California my redneck ways changed. I overheard some schoolmates talking about going target shooting in some canyons in North County SanDiego. I went with them just to plink and have fun target shooting. I didn't know they were novices with firearms and I'd grown up around them.

After some shooting time, the sun went down and we headed for the truck of one of the guys I was with. I broke off briefly to enjoy the wooded, canyon air. As I began to make my way back to the truck, I came to the rim of a ravine and heard a gunshot. In a split second my head snapped back and I was in extreme agony. I could feel blood on my face and saw it on my hands, also feeling broken facial bones. I screamed out,"Goddammit! I've been shot!!" I had been shot twice in the head by a Ruger 10-22 .22LR. The .22LR bullet was a CCI Mxi-Mag solid tip, traveling at about 1,300fps. Normally the .22LR gets in the body and bounces all around, particularly once inside the skull. I knew all of this as I cradled my shattered skull, howling in pain. The first bullet pentrated my skull 1/4" from the right corner of my right eye. It went through bone and tissue coming to rest in several fragments in the right temporal lobe of my brain. A second bullet grazed the left side of my head, just taking a chunk of flesh with it as it sped by at 1,300fps.

The pain was horrifying but I crawled my way, low crawling, out of the ravine, found my rifle I'd dropped when I got shot, and staggerred toward the headlights. It was ruled an accidental shooting and I've been asked over the years why I didn't shoot back? At that moment I was fighting for my life, I didn't know exactly which guy had pulled the trigger and I still had the presence of mind to not open fire randomly. I was solely concerned with staying alive!

Basic First Aid training/Field Medicine kicked in, things I'd read in those Military books I'd gotten at the Surplus store. I started with Direct Pressure, which was hard doing on a depressed skull fracture, which is when bones are pushed into brain matter. I climbed in the back of the pickup, one arm wrapped around the rollbar and the other held against my broken face. I remember thinking,"I've got to get the bleeding under control!" I remembered tucking a handkerchief in my back pocket before I'd left the house and this became my field dressing. I was hyperventilating, struggling to breathe, and began feeling my extremeties getting cold as my body went into shock. I kept telling myself to fight it, to hang on and recall screaming at God,"I DON'T WANT TO DIE TONIGHT!! I'M NOT READY!!"

We had been target shooting in a remote area and it was 1984, cellphones hadn't been invented yet. There was no ambulance, flight for life helicopters, no reality TV cameras going; just a pickup full of scared teenagers racing to the hospital. It was a very scary feeling knowing that if I wanted to live, I had to fight for it! I kept my wits about me and staggered into the ER, covered in mud and blood, with a bullet in my brain, but ALIVE!

Emergency brain surgery was performed and they told me and my parents that the reality was without surgery I was going to die and even with surgery I might die, they didn't know. I had to say goodbye to my parents as I went in to surgery at 16 years old. Several hours later God smiled on my family and allowed me to return and begin my Second Chance at life. I had a catastrophic Traumatic Brain Injury,TBI, plus a PTSD diagnosis off the charts at 16 years old. I was a wreck but I'd survived a near fatal shooting.

A few years later when I turned 18 I went to recruiters, still wanting to Serve my Country. I was turned down, being told,"You can't even be DRAFTED." With my childhood dreams dashed, I wandered for years, lost. I'd managed to graduate high school and attempted college, but my brain wasn't healed enough. I left California and returned to Virginia.

I discovered a group called the National Head Injury Foundation, now the Brain Injury Association of America, http://www.BIAUSA.org, and through them got connected to the right therapists and resources to move forward in life. I pursued a career in Law Enforcement seeing it as a way to serve my Country on the home shores. After almost 10 years in uniform in law enforcement I started thinking I needed to do more.

In 2005, while the war in Iraq was in full swing I started inquiring into Military Service again. After meeting with Doctors at MEPS in Denver,CO, I was given a chance. I was approved to enlist into the Army Reserves at 37years old! I was 16 when my near fatal shooting occurred and 20 years later I was shipping off for Basic Training and AIT at FT. Leonard Wood,MO.!

I recently was Honorably Discharged after I completed 8 full years, no IRR. I've never taken my Military Service opportunity for granted. Those words of,"You can't even be DRAFTED!", had haunted me for years. I was able to complete 8 years in the Army Reserves without being shot again. My whole point in sharing my story is to hopefully encourage someone else that finds themselves in a horrific situation to not give up, not quit.

TBI'S, PTSD, and Military suicides are rampant in the Military now. I'm a very vocal advocate for TBI and want to raise awareness by talking about it. I guess you can say my, "Greatest Challenge," has centered around that pivitol moment when I made it up in my mind that night long ago, that I was not going away quietly. I fought for my life, tooth and nail, clawing my way back from the brink of death. Never say never, don't quit, if you want something bad enough, sometimes it takes, Blood, Sweat, and Tears! I'm extremely proud to have worn the Uniform of the United States Army, I had to work damn hard for it.

Welcome to the Brain Injury Association of America

Brain injury is not an event or an outcome. It is the start of a misdiagnosed, misunderstood, under-funded neurological disease. Individuals who sustain brain injuries must have timely access to exper...

Welcome to the Brain Injury Association of America

Brain injury is not an event or an outcome. It is the startof a misdiagnosed, misunderstood, under-funded neurological disease. People who sustain brain injuries must have timely access to experttrauma care, specialized rehabilitation, lifelong disease management,and individualized services and supports in order to live healthy,independent, and satisfying lives.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 28 at 2014 12:14 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 28 Mar 2014 00:14:47 -0400

There are so many but the one that holds most sway with me, is my daughter. She was gone for the better part of 15 years. I kept in mind that arguing with her mom might not be the best course of action and I was right. I had to eat humble pie but it was worth it. Truth stands the test of time and good judgment helped me get my daughter back.

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made Apr 3 at 2014 1:27 AM

SGT Craig Northacker — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 01:27:36 -0400

I was in during and after the Viet Nam war. Morale sucked. We averaged over 10 AWOL's a month and 3 deserters a month in my company. The RIFF's kicked in, and a lot of good officers and NCO's were released. The officers were replaced by a group that were full of themselves, and who told us that the previous group did not know what they were doing so they lost the war in Viet Nam. The Article 15 contests by the company commanders were horrendous and destroyed what was left of morale. I watched many good people turn to drink and give up on their careers and themselves and it made me sick. I stood up and wrote defenses for these young clueless kids-kids who were told about a drug amnesty program, and when they turned themselves in were court-martialed, and watch the CID in flagrant entrapment stings get an 18 year old kid convicted in a disgusting violation of every civil right in existence. This was about the time the 82d MP Company got busted for growing pot on their roof.

I left and went into the 11th SF Group to get the rancid taste out of my mouth-and eventually left feeling better. Too bad Operation Watchtower was unfolding, and turned into a fiasco at the same time that folks were convicted of stealing weapons for sale to other countries that became part of the Iran contra program.

Now I run a non-profit to help vets and their families get back into the world. I could never forget the heartbreak of soldiers with multiple combat tours being unceremoniously dumped, then abused by Agent Orange and more government failures. I found out about GWI, started my nonprofit, then convened a medical research symposium by top researchers with different disciplines to prove the existence so the newer vets could get help-and kept moving. I have a very real problem with abusive government polices when they violate the law, and work within the system to correct them when I come across them. I challenge those perpetrating these wrongs by asking them if they are violating their oath to the Constitution. It is a simple yes or no question. If they are not following the law, then they are in violation of their oath and have created an ethics violation. I spent many years as an expert witness in the legal system and in setting up court cases with some very fine legal minds, and use that knowledge in a constructive manner. We are rebuilding the country now with community and economic development programs where my background as a CPA is a wonderful tool.

Response by SPC Geoffrey Jenkins made Apr 3 at 2014 9:08 AM

SPC Geoffrey Jenkins — Thu, 03 Apr 2014 09:08:27 -0400

Never give up under extreme conditions and drive on to succession of others in your unit.We all challenge fear sometime in our lives and it is perfectly normal to overcome it.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2014 9:08 AM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 09:08:04 -0400

In order to promote maximum discussion on this and related subjects, here are just a few conversations you'll want to check out; thank you for all that you do, and... see you all in the discussion threads! https://www.rallypoint.com/answers/leaders-what-has-been-your-greatest-or-worst-leadership-challenge

RallyPoint | Leaders: What has been your greatest or worst Leadership Challenge?

Whether it has been a Soldier getting a divorce, one going AWOL, or just simply accomplishing a difficult mission, as Leaders it comes a time when we come across a difficult challenge that leaves us c...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2014 3:54 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 15:54:42 -0400

I had a soldier that joined the Reserves for one year in hopes that it would help to smooth his transition from Active Duty to civilian life. After serving for a few months he started missing drills and my 1SG wanted to throw the book at him. However, I recalled he had done several combat deployments and had a rack of medals on his uniform that were indicative of a very distinguished Active Duty Career. Instead I asked the BDE Chaplain to speak to him and learned that there were extenuating circumstances merited an alternative approach. My 1SG and I spoke to the soldier and developed a plan that allowed him to complete his remaining months honorably while still making a significant contribution to the unit. When it came time for him to ETS, he thanked me. And although everyone may not agree, I felt I had done the right thing by allowing him to complete his service and return to civilian life with his Combat veteran's Benefits intact.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Apr 21 at 2014 12:33 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Mon, 21 Apr 2014 12:33:59 -0400

To get my 5 year old to stay in bed and not come up with 1,000 excuses why she cannot sleep? Soldiers are easy compared to her.

Response by SSG Mike Angelo made May 2 at 2014 1:25 PM

SSG Mike Angelo — Fri, 02 May 2014 13:25:44 -0400

As an American Red Cross supervisor,my span of control was 3 to 7 volunteers at any given time. I was assigned to the FEMA organization at various locations in Greater New York; right after Hurricane Sandy. I was not told that there was a small riot at a location I was sent to.

I reported to the on-site FEMA director and made my introductions. She showed me where I was to set up at. Her leadership style was autocratic with a set agenda. She did not like the Red Cross being there at first.

There were guards with side arms, shot guns, and other assortment of semi automatic fire arms in and around the building.

My immediate supervisor informed me to stay at my booth, cooperate with FEMA and give out pamphlet.

One could feel the tension between the US Government agents and the clients they were interviewing.

There was a system of waiting in line, and going from one agent to another for the clients to get relief.

After canvassing and assessing the situation, I took pause to inform the FEMA Director that I will be back in a half hour. My leadership challenge presented itself with a great opportunity. By taking a bad situation and turning it around for the common good.

I took my team and went to the nearby shelter, and loaded up the rental car with water,juice,sandwiches, and all kinds of snacks. Returned to my AO and delivered them to the clientele at the FEMA site.

People changed, and they were talking and sharing their stories of how their homes, and lives were devastated. People had all their belongings with them,wet, hungry and no where to go.

After that first day, and a closed door session with the FEMA Dir. there were no more riots, people were happy to be interviewed, agents were alot nicer and pleasant to work with.

This was the first time FEMA and Red Cross shared the same rooftop working together in providing the relief needed.

I was one of 35 supervisors rotating on Long Island, Coney Island, Stanton Island and Brooklyn.

Response by SSG Mike Angelo made May 22 at 2014 12:37 PM

SSG Mike Angelo — Thu, 22 May 2014 12:37:21 -0400

The things I learned while in the military service, I carry with in civilian life. Getting up there in age, I am challenged in recall, however if I observe an act or hear something familiar, I am able to recall and take appropriate action. Sometimes it becomes a trained response while other times I am required to learn from my mistakes.

Overcoming my own personal biases and working/living in a community of isms, i.e., racism, capitalism, nepotism, individualism, etc...is my latest and greatest challenge.

How did the military prepare me for this life challenge?

My life changer was a military assistance group assignment in a host country. Teaching English, learning the host language, working with interpreters were common tasks.

I am doing the same common tasks but in CONUS, as an AmeriCorps VISTA; Volunteer In Service To America. The sister organization of the Peace Corps.

I collaborate and work with sub-Sahara/African ethnicity, first time immigrants from Europe,Asia,Africa,South America and associated Latin speaking countries.

In an American small town, I have never seen so much hatred in my whole life, demonstrated by my fellow Americans against immigrants and refugees, yet it humbles to say, God is present and God willing, I will do my job.

I have a great support chain; United Way, Minnesota Literacy Council VISTA, Attorney General, Wash DC Civil Rights Division.

I am retired Army over 20 years active duty, received my advance degrees post retirement and still serve proudly.

There is plenty of work to do. Just got to man-up and take that step.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/AmeriCorps-VISTA-Serving-Faribault-Minnesota/ [login to see] 02948

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Response by SgtMaj Michael Lillie made Jun 6 at 2014 8:18 PM

SgtMaj Michael Lillie — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 20:18:50 -0400

11 combat Casuality Notifications in 36 months.
Guiding gamilies through the process of losing thief child and retaining their sanity.

Simply the most difficult thing I have ever done. Hands down...

Response by 1SG Jeffrey Bergeron made Jun 6 at 2014 8:29 PM

1SG Jeffrey Bergeron — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 20:29:18 -0400

Biggest leadership challenge was learning what not to be when I wasn't a leader. I was a Recruiter and the leader (station commander) was poor as best. However it took recruiting command 18 months to fire him. I was stressed more in this job than I was in combat. I didn't receive an mentorship from this station commander (SFC) only how bad I was as a recruiter. Never any words of encouragement or motivation to complete this already difficult mission of putting qualified civilian in the Army. I will never forget how this leader made me feel so I am always on guard to not do that to my Solders.

Response by PO1 G. Leslie /Stiltner made Jun 7 at 2014 1:11 PM

PO1 G. Leslie /Stiltner — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 13:11:49 -0400

Recruiting Duty!! Was my Greatest Challenge. I can sell you anything including the Navy, so I thought. It was a tough job. I was a rural recruiter and although I was a country girl myself, I was not ready for some of the challenges brought on to me. For those of us that were on recruiting Duty 80's and earlier will remember Tabs and the Check Book!! For those on recruiting duty now be thankful they are gone!! Any how I recruited in Rural Indiana and Kentucky. It was very difficult to get young people to join the Navy when parents already are in the mind set that Women should not be in the Military. I had to work harder and be more persistent. I had to win the young man over and his parents too. I had a great Chief that I worked with and followed his lean in many ways. I used what was applicable from recruiting school and adjusted my tactics as I learned about family citation's. Empathy was one of my greatest tools. Although I struggled , I feel I was very Successful as I was promoted to First Class (E-6) through the Recruiter Meritorious Advancement Program.

Response by LCpl Rick Ponton made Jun 7 at 2014 2:06 PM

LCpl Rick Ponton — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 14:06:49 -0400

I DID NOT KNOW HOW TO TELL OTHERS WHAT TO DO I WOULD ASK AND DID MY BEST TO DO IN A TIMELY MANNER I THINK THAT IS WHY IAM A LCPL

Response by LCpl Rick Ponton made Jun 7 at 2014 2:14 PM

LCpl Rick Ponton — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 14:14:58 -0400

GEROGE W BUSH IS MY WAR HERO AND JOHN MACCAIN AND BOB DOLE

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 7 at 2014 2:26 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Jun 2014 14:26:57 -0400

Been away for a few days but glad to see you all opining. Anyway one of my big projects was verification of our Mercurial Barometer. It was not a pretty site but it was the standard for all to measured against. That is the aneroid and Micobarograph. I read the whole regulation and retyped the whole SOP for the barometer and made it is easier to read.

I did standardize and calibrate the machine and finally had everyone validated. The procedure is very exacting but at least it was now easier to accomplish.

By the way, ask any pilot about MSP (Mean Sea Level Pressure) PA (Pressure Altitude) and Altimeter Setting.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jun 8 at 2014 11:50 AM

CPT Jack Durish — Sun, 08 Jun 2014 11:50:05 -0400

Hindsight is so clear. I wish I could go back and undo so many things.
I was my own greatest challenge.
Fundamentally, my father was a crazy SOB and left me with an inherent distrust of all authority figures. You can well imagine how well that attitude served me in the Army. Surprisingly, I got away with it because I was useful.
If there was a problem, just throw that crazy lieutenant at it. Anything that got in the way was bowled over. Unfortunately, that included a lot of superior officers.
I took far better care of subordinates. My approach was that they would work for me just as hard as I worked for them. I made sure that they had everything they needed to do their job: Training, equipment, supplies, access, whatever. Then I got out of their way and let them do it. I also made sure that others stayed out of their way.
I mastered the art of riding the event horizon of insubordination, never quite crossing the line where I could be charged.
However, I fell into a trap. I learned too late that mission accomplishment alone was not enough to appease those immediate supervisors I pissed off, the ones who wrote my Officer Efficiency Reports. In the end, not even the pleas of a major general who wrote DA and called them on my behalf could save my ass. I was RIF'd
Ultimately, I carried the same attitude over into civilian life and was fired from more jobs than most of you ever held in your lives. I succeeded only after I became a consultant, a career in which I could accomplish missions and then depart before I really pissed off someone else. Hey, the pay was better than regular employment...

Response by SSG Richard Stevens made Jun 8 at 2014 12:28 PM

SSG Richard Stevens — Sun, 08 Jun 2014 12:28:48 -0400

Mine was, when I was over in Germany, as a section chief. Very demanding.I overcame, it by, reading about leadership style s and listening to the soldiers.

Response by 1SG Robert Branch made Jun 8 at 2014 1:14 PM

1SG Robert Branch — Sun, 08 Jun 2014 13:14:51 -0400

Wow, I came up through the ranks, squad leader in Korea, platoon sgt in Vietnam, then a 1st sgt of a basit training company, then last but not lease the 1st sgt of a rifle company in the DMZ with 2nd Inf Div. I would say the one in the DMZ was the most challenge in leadership, the 1st Sgt. of the training Company was most challenge of personal, and the military challenge was pltatoon sgt in Vietnam. Thanks to all that serve.

Response by LCpl Rick Ponton made Jun 9 at 2014 1:33 AM

LCpl Rick Ponton — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 01:33:42 -0400

DEAR MAJOR WE NEED SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS AND HOW TO PROBLEM SOLVE 1 RECOGNIZE DEFINE AND IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM USING SYMPTOMS EXCESS DEFECIT OUT OF CONTEXT. THEN WE NEED TO BRAIN STORM BY OUR SELVES OR IN A GROUP AND WE NEED TO MAKE A PROS AND CONS LIST AND AN IDEA CHECKLIST AND MAKE A FRAME OF REFERENCE AND ADAPT A SOLUTION FROM A DIFFERENT PROBLEM I ASLO tHINK WE NEED TO MAKE A PRIORITiES LIST AND KNOW THE WHO WHAT WHERE WHEN WHY AND HOW AND MAKE GOALS THAT ARE SMART SPECIFIC MEASURABLE ACHIEVABLE ATTAINABLE RELEVANT REALISTIC TIME BASED LEGAL AND SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE AND ACCOUNTABLE AND THEN IF THE PROBLEM IS NOT SOLVED GO bACK TO THE BEGINNING AND DEFINE WHAT IS THE PROBLEM AGAIN AND SYMPTOMS TO FOCUS ON TOO MUCH TOO LITTLE WRONG PLACE OR WRONG TIME.

Response by LCpl Rick Ponton made Jun 9 at 2014 5:21 PM

LCpl Rick Ponton — Mon, 09 Jun 2014 17:21:50 -0400

BRINGING ALL OUR TROOPS OUT OF IRAQ AND AFGHANASTAN DOES NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND IAM IDENTIFYING AND DEFINEINg AND RECOGNIZING THE PROBEL TERRORISM WE NEEDED TO MAKE IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN LIKE OKINAWA LETS BRIAN STORM AND MAKE AN IDEA CHECKLIST ????

Response by SSG Mike Angelo made Jun 10 at 2014 4:22 PM

SSG Mike Angelo — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 16:22:38 -0400

Sometimes leaders can be put into non-winnable situations, or jobs that nobody wants. Those are the jobs that I like because their is no recipe for success. This leaves room for creativity and flexibility.

Regardless of the mission, there is only that vision of the future that which motivation whether intrinsic or extrinsic that gets people going in some kind of direction. I envision and assess what needs to get done and I start digging in and do it. Action is better than no action.

I have been retired 18 years this 2014 and I when I get in those types of situations I excel and achieve satisfaction. I cannot explain why, it just is.

When I write about leaders, I write to imply both personal leadership as well as professional leadership.

To be readable toward others is key for a buy-in, what ever the detail or project would be.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 12 at 2014 2:39 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 12 Jun 2014 14:39:33 -0400

My Greatest Leadership Challenge Ever... is my daughter Ariana.
She is my 1 and only, she will be 3 the end of this July. Come back in 20 yrs and we'll see if I succeeded or failed.

Response by SGT Craig Northacker made Jun 13 at 2014 3:48 PM

SGT Craig Northacker — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 15:48:18 -0400

Mine is getting the Federal Government to follow the laws as written and enacted. The VA VBA has done a masterful job of rewriting the intent of the law while violating all kinds of other Federal Laws. I try to challenge and circumvent faulty interpretations.

Response by SN Sean Willson made Jul 1 at 2014 9:22 AM

SN Sean Willson — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 09:22:33 -0400

My biggest and toughest challenge to date was when I was discharged early for fighting. I had a pretty nasty temper then and a very low BS tolerance. I still have the low BS tolerance but I've learned to control my temper. I was so angry at being sent home. I had planned on being a career sailor and now my life was over. I guess the hardest part to accept and come to grips with was the fact that it was my own fault. I spent years blaming everything from the Bill Clinton admin to the guy I got in the fight with. I finally sat down and had a real long talk with my pastor, also a marine, and he just looked me dead in the eye and asked me, "Who made the decision to hit the guy?" I tried to hem haw my way around the question but he kept asking it over and over until I was honest with myself. I guess the moral if the story is the hardest person to be honest to is ourselves.

Response by SPC James White made Nov 19 at 2015 6:27 PM

SPC James White — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 18:27:06 -0500

Designing a winning strategy; Inventing the needed next humanitarian medic-smart app tool : Knowing at any age, a person is - that- "Emerging-Talent"..The question I ask of me.".How do I take time to be there to assist...its geek-humans. I first learned it as a philosophical quark, in the Army. Brigade Generals had that- "Open-Door Policy" thing - I asked my SSG, what's that?..he replied, it's a new "Army, private." New ideas, even untested, may very well be that next trend, concept, business, challenges are absolute I believe ...so don't ever be worried about knocking on that door, and who knows, it just might have been waiting for you, to ...enter." Station 55, dit's & da's,...out. j

Response by SPC James Strande made Apr 12 at 2023 7:22 PM

SPC James Strande — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 19:22:39 -0400

Being on "advance party" for Army First Cavalry Division, when we started building up the Viet Nam War

Response by PFC Shanyce Tellez made Apr 13 at 2023 1:40 AM

PFC Shanyce Tellez — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 01:40:16 -0400

My greatest challenge would be not letting my anger get the best of me. Being bipolar makes me feel crazy sometimes and it causes feelings you bottle up, to implode when they don’t have to. My daughters had to see me in a tough spot with their dad. I would give anything to take the past couple years back and show them that just because someone else is a monster, doesn’t mean we need to be.