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We have all been told little bits of advice from Senior NCOs or prior service vets...no I heard a lot was to never volunteer. Is this true across all the services? We're they right?
I had many awesome opportunities for schools and even short little deployments fall into my lap because of my tendency to raise my hand.
I guess for me, I'd rather volunteer and then be voluntold.
One particular scenario, in formation the Plt Sgt said raise your hands if you know how to type, so I raised my hand...this landed me six months in S1 until we got a replacement. However because I excelled in the position, I firmly believe I was chosen to go to two schools I would never have been able to go to; Airborne and Ranger...so NOT volunteering isn't always what's it's been made to be...or am I wrong. I figured this as well, my enlistment was a volunteer, I will try and get as much out of it as possible.
Do you as a leader want someone running a mission that doesn't want to be there, or would you rather have a few gung-ho team players getting the job done?
Anyone else have a similar volunteer 'positive' experience.
The lesson thst I learned from this as a leader, when you ask for a volunteer, make sure it isn't always a punishment -- reward your troops for volunteering.
I had many awesome opportunities for schools and even short little deployments fall into my lap because of my tendency to raise my hand.
I guess for me, I'd rather volunteer and then be voluntold.
One particular scenario, in formation the Plt Sgt said raise your hands if you know how to type, so I raised my hand...this landed me six months in S1 until we got a replacement. However because I excelled in the position, I firmly believe I was chosen to go to two schools I would never have been able to go to; Airborne and Ranger...so NOT volunteering isn't always what's it's been made to be...or am I wrong. I figured this as well, my enlistment was a volunteer, I will try and get as much out of it as possible.
Do you as a leader want someone running a mission that doesn't want to be there, or would you rather have a few gung-ho team players getting the job done?
Anyone else have a similar volunteer 'positive' experience.
The lesson thst I learned from this as a leader, when you ask for a volunteer, make sure it isn't always a punishment -- reward your troops for volunteering.
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 14
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I think the "Never volunteer for anything" mentality is a left over from the draft days where soldiers, were trying to do as little as possible, finish their tour, and get home. If you were a draftee and this wasn't you, please accept my apologies.
As for me, I've volunteered for everything. In fact, I usually have tried to predict what needed to be done and do it without ever having to volunteer. During OSUT, on at least on occasion, I had a DS yell down the hall, "I need volunteers, anybody but Brainard!" It has certainly paid off. I got promoted to SGT with aprox. 3 years time in service.
As for me, I've volunteered for everything. In fact, I usually have tried to predict what needed to be done and do it without ever having to volunteer. During OSUT, on at least on occasion, I had a DS yell down the hall, "I need volunteers, anybody but Brainard!" It has certainly paid off. I got promoted to SGT with aprox. 3 years time in service.
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LTC Stephen C.
SSgt (Join to see) / SSG(P) (Join to see), even in the days of the draft, there had to be volunteers! Draftees weren't allowed to be in Special Forces. We were told by the SFTG instructors at Fort Bragg (1970 timeframe) that we were triple volunteers! You had to volunteer (enlist) for the Army, volunteer for jump school and volunteer for SF training!
Also, when the wet bulb (heat index) reached a certain level, all physical training on post was suspended. However, the SF instructors would always ask/tell us, "Don't you want to volunteer to continue training?!" Who would say no?!
1LT L S
Also, when the wet bulb (heat index) reached a certain level, all physical training on post was suspended. However, the SF instructors would always ask/tell us, "Don't you want to volunteer to continue training?!" Who would say no?!
1LT L S
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In my short experience I learned that volunteering when my section leader yelled " I need X number of Marines!" would build me a reputation for getting things done and he would also tell me to get my hand down and that I volunteer enough and voluntell others.
Also, before I left for boot camp I would hear the "Don't volunteer for anything!" from people that have never served... hmmm... glad I made my own decisions.
Also, by the time I was a Corporal and had other Marines under me, I DID want to train those that wanted to learn. Granted I am an NCO and tried to train all the Marines I could with the Satcomm stuff, one or two stood out that really wanted to learn so I tried to transfer all of my knowledge to them before I EAS'd
Also, before I left for boot camp I would hear the "Don't volunteer for anything!" from people that have never served... hmmm... glad I made my own decisions.
Also, by the time I was a Corporal and had other Marines under me, I DID want to train those that wanted to learn. Granted I am an NCO and tried to train all the Marines I could with the Satcomm stuff, one or two stood out that really wanted to learn so I tried to transfer all of my knowledge to them before I EAS'd
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SSG(P) (Join to see)
Sgt Martin V. I wish I had served with you, because that is a great leadership trait to have...to share your knowledge. That very fact made me realize that all of us are replaceable...you are never as important as you think you are...not you specifically but generally speaking.
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Another instance:
Company Commander said he needed about 10 volunteers, I didn't have anything planned, so I raised my hand...Come to find out some professional Football team had donated some 100 tickets to the Marines at the last minute. I got to take my (ex-wife, puke, gag, choke) and got off for the rest of the day...Couldn't believe it. Some times it pays to be a winner.
Company Commander said he needed about 10 volunteers, I didn't have anything planned, so I raised my hand...Come to find out some professional Football team had donated some 100 tickets to the Marines at the last minute. I got to take my (ex-wife, puke, gag, choke) and got off for the rest of the day...Couldn't believe it. Some times it pays to be a winner.
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