Posted on May 11, 2015
1SG Jason Fitzpatrick
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My son is about to graduate High School. He wants to join up and serve and who am I to tell him not to. My question is what advice have you or would you give to a son or daughter getting ready to join?

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Responses: 36
SPC Charles Brown
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1SG Jason Fitzpatrick

Best advice I could give would be something my father (retired MSG) told me long ago.

When you decide to run your brain in high gear make sure your mouth is in neutral, if your mouth isn't in neutral then turn off the sound.
If you f***up, Own up don't drag your buddies down with you.
Listen to what is being said, not the tone of how it is said, you may miss something you should be focusing on.
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1SG Jason Fitzpatrick
1SG Jason Fitzpatrick
>1 y
Thanks @SPC Charles Brown for that advice...he will understand and actually "hear" the gear comments...
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SPC Charles Brown
SPC Charles Brown
>1 y
Just passing on pearls of wisdom learned the hard way 1SG. Or as some who know me would say "daddy was just casting pearls before swine."
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MAJ Ken Landgren
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Watch your buddies backs. Don't spend too much money and save some of his pay. Call you before he buys a car. Be the go to soldier. Listen to the NCOs. Keep a good attitude. Remember the Army values.
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MAJ Multifunctional Logistician
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Be the gray man in basic. Don't volunteer and always remember to have fun. Not everybody gets paid to shoot guns and throw grenades or belay down towers.
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1SG Jason Fitzpatrick
1SG Jason Fitzpatrick
>1 y
I used the term "zen invisibility"... the problem is that he is like his father...I don't think that I have been invisible since day one of Basic. That is when I stepped on my Drill Sergeant's Leather Lustered Jump boots... I will use the shoot, throw and belay line. Thanks Sir!
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MSG Pat Colby
MSG Pat Colby
>1 y
Gotta call BS on that. Put yourself out there. Not in an arrogant or brown-nosing fashion! Volunteer! Some times you end up with a shit job but sometimes you can learn something the others don't know.

As an Instructor I routinely used to ask for a group of volunteers. Those that raised their hands got a break. I smoked the shit out of everyone else.
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