Posted on Feb 14, 2015
What are some the pitfalls you encountered when you retired from the military?
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I remember retiring from the military and entering the civilian workforce and using the military style leadership, please don't do it, it doesn't work. The "you will do" attitude creates problems. You must learn to be more polished, this was my pitfall.
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Responses: 11
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Even on active duty I never had the "You will do" attitude. I always used the "do me a favor" style and it always worked for me.
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SSG Adam Reed
I agree with Boots. I used the same leadership style. It worked and had very little kickback. Plus I did jobs that sucked and the troops saw me doing them. Which intern earned me some respect from them. Quick story......We had a SSG who was ex-Marine trying to implement the Marine style into our Army Reserve unit. He was a squad leader as was I. During one drill weekend one of his troops came to me and admitted he was thinking of suicide. I quickly got him away from the troops and talked to him in private with the Detachment Senior NCO. As we are doing this the ex Marine walks by and looks in the door and sees us talking to him. He instantly goes ape shit. I take the ex Marine into the hallway and, well lets say he never used his style in front of me again.
We have to remember, everyone is human and everyone is different. But if you treat them all with human dignity they will out perform for you.
We have to remember, everyone is human and everyone is different. But if you treat them all with human dignity they will out perform for you.
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SFC Walt Littleton
I always used the team approach, this is what needs to happen lets go get it. Most of my time I was in charge of multiple MOS's and that base narrowed down who did what. If any of our team were backed we always backed each other up. Yes, absolutely I lead and worked. Never asked my soldier to do anything I wouldn't and usually I was right there with them.
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SFC Boots Attaway
SSG Adam Reed , SFC Walt Littleton , I agree with you both. NEVER ask anyone under you to do something that you yourself would not do and treat everyone with respect.
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My biggest pitfall was not weighing all the options or knowing all the facts. Then realizing after the retirement that I should have stayed in.
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GySgt (Join to see)
Hear Hear! Completely agree. Grass isn't always greener . . . . lots of brown patches out here.
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SFC Boots Attaway
SSG Adam Reed , that is one reason that after being out for 20+ years I joined the National Guard in 07. Unfortunately I got injured in 08 and they retired me in 13. I still wish I was in.
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1. Cultural change; still adapting (NOT) after 16 years
2. Sense of purpose; many civilians are money driven instead of mission oriented
3. Missing camaraderie; nothing compares to my experiences in the Corps
4. Missing the adventure; I guess I took the experiences for granted. Some sucked, but all were way better than 9-5 in a cubicle. LOL
5. I'd trade the "political" nature of the current Corps over civilian politics any day. For the active folks, just you wait! :)
6. All the other points that other retirees are pointing out
And like one of the brethren already stated, I wasn't fully informed (my fault) when I retired -- I should have stayed in till they kicked me out.
I am successful and am thankful for that, but I was a happy camper back when I was a Staff Sergeant and my wife and I lived at Lejeune or DC hanging out with our military friends and spouses. Folks, don't take your military family for granted!
2. Sense of purpose; many civilians are money driven instead of mission oriented
3. Missing camaraderie; nothing compares to my experiences in the Corps
4. Missing the adventure; I guess I took the experiences for granted. Some sucked, but all were way better than 9-5 in a cubicle. LOL
5. I'd trade the "political" nature of the current Corps over civilian politics any day. For the active folks, just you wait! :)
6. All the other points that other retirees are pointing out
And like one of the brethren already stated, I wasn't fully informed (my fault) when I retired -- I should have stayed in till they kicked me out.
I am successful and am thankful for that, but I was a happy camper back when I was a Staff Sergeant and my wife and I lived at Lejeune or DC hanging out with our military friends and spouses. Folks, don't take your military family for granted!
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