Posted on Feb 17, 2018
What is the best lesson an NCO/Officer has ever taught you?
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What is the best lesson/piece of advice an NCO or officer has ever taught you? Personally, I would say the most impressionable advice an NCO has ever taught me was that at the end of the day, my military career is in my hands. My decisions reflect my career and at the end of the day, if I want something done (schooling opportunities, career advancement) to ALWAYS push and never give up.
What's the best advice you have ever received?
What's the best advice you have ever received?
Advice
Lessons Learned
Leadership
Training
Military Career
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 129
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NEVER believe for a minute that anyone else in the military will watch/monitor your career as closely as you do yourself. NEVER assume someone will automatically promote you or enter your name for any program, school, or advancement opportunity. NEVER throw away ANY military paperwork. Many were the times during my 30 year military career that I had an order or piece of paperwork that DA or my unit had supposedly 'lost.' I simply kept a file drawer with plain manila folders marked by year and tossed a copy of anything into them. So - one folder for each year takes up very little space - or if you're a computer nut - scan them and keep those scans on more than one back up drive or thumb drive. This was some of the best advice I ever received as a young enlisted soldier, then Warrant Officer, and finally walked out the back door as an O6 Colonel. I found an award I had never received, corrected retirement points and dates, successfully challenged incorrect verbiage on more than one efficiency report, and was ALWAYS up on promotion times, requirements and submission items. Having all my admin ducks in order got me promoted at first look and I had my name first on the list for any required class or school. Simple advice, simple process, simple program for success in one's military career.
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SSG Shawn Mcfadden
I can't narrow it to just one. Various NCO's through their ACTIONS showed me what it takes to be a SOLDIER and a person.
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COL Jon Lopey
Colonel: Wow! Great advice. I always told Soldiers to keep copies of everything, especially when we deployed and to always ensure their DD 214s were exactly correct, which never happens the first time. I also advised them to be professional and to remember that whatever they did often follows them for the rest of their lives. Another thing that I didn't do and that exhorted them to do was protect their hearing when on the range and even while in combat. Basically, we were taught by our NCOs to accomplish the mission first but to always, always take care of your people. A first sergeant once gave me a pass on an issue that could have resulted in an Article 15 - I never forgot that and I always tried to give Soldiers a second chance if it was reasonably warranted. I was also told as a private and later, as a sergeant to listen to your NCOs and to watch the good officers and NCOs in action and emulate them. One more piece of advice I was told to never, never, give up. Again, great advice from someone who has obviously been there!
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CPL (Join to see)
SPC Pelczarski,
The best advice I ever received was when I was a a Private First Class, and my squad leader recommended to me to read the Art of War. However, it wasn't just that I should read it, but understand that while it has great relevance to our jobs as Infantrymen, that everything in life is adversity, and to use the wise words within, to guide me through every fight, conflict, disagreement, etc., both civil, and violent.
That was without a doubt the best advice I ever received. I attained a TBI, and am now medically retired with grand mal seizures. However, any challenge I had to meet was dealt with in the intellectual and warrior ways described in that book. It has served me well throughout my life, all for the better.
Best of luck to you Specialist Pelczarski.
The best advice I ever received was when I was a a Private First Class, and my squad leader recommended to me to read the Art of War. However, it wasn't just that I should read it, but understand that while it has great relevance to our jobs as Infantrymen, that everything in life is adversity, and to use the wise words within, to guide me through every fight, conflict, disagreement, etc., both civil, and violent.
That was without a doubt the best advice I ever received. I attained a TBI, and am now medically retired with grand mal seizures. However, any challenge I had to meet was dealt with in the intellectual and warrior ways described in that book. It has served me well throughout my life, all for the better.
Best of luck to you Specialist Pelczarski.
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When I was a PFC, maybe a SPC I can't remember exactly, I was tasked with a detail for a change of command that took place at III Corps. I was an usher; basically, I took the place of a cone marking the way to the reception. I was just supposed to stand at parade rest and whenever someone passed me I would come to attention and render a greeting. Eventually, a CSM and a BG came walking up to me. I went from parade rest to attention and rendered a greeting. They BG raised his hand above his head for a high five. I stood motionless at attention for about fifteen seconds before the CSM leaned in and said, "unless you want to do some push-ups, you better give that general his damn high five, private." Well, there was no arguing with that. I reluctantly gave a pitiful high five to the BG and quickly snapped back to attention. They both smiled and as they began to walk past me the BG chuckled out, "Don't take life too seriously, kid."
Words that I have lived by ever since! lol
Words that I have lived by ever since! lol
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SGT Joseph Gunderson
TSgt Philip Sales - Well, no... But that doesn't matter. A Pvt shouldn't be giving advice to a BG...
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TSgt Philip Sales
In my last year in the Regular USAF I spent 2 months in the barracks at Andrews. My Pregnant wife had to go home early so our 2nd child could be born in our home town,as we would be civilians by that time. A surprise inspection was conducted by our Commander,on a Sunday, and the Call to attention was late so he was upset. He said if we had gone to his house he wold have greeted us at the door. I thought but did not say, But you walked into our rooms, you didn't announce your presence. We could not have walked into your house, and into your bedroom. I know he in effect owned the building but I think he over acted. It was'nt like we were in Basic.
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SGT Joseph Gunderson
TSgt Philip Sales - I don't believe that there is any kind of equivalence to my comment/story. There are certain rules/regulations/customs that govern life in the billets. Over action or not the CO was not wrong. In proper fashion, you held your tongue. I still don't see what you are attempting to get at here. The original question was the best piece of advice I received, I answered. The fact of whether such advice would be received the same way if given in the opposite direction doesn't matter. Nor does your story of a pinheaded officer puffing out their chest prove to cast light or shadow on my original statement...
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I was deployed to Iraq and I'd just pinned E-5. I was tasked with driving the task force CSM to the flight line at BIAP. After several minutes of awkward, silent driving I worked up the courage to ask him if he had any advice for a new NCO. He simply said to leave every assignment a little better than when you arrived. Even if it's a small improvement eventually it all adds up to something much bigger.
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