As a mentor, what pearl of wisdom can you give a junior Soldier, Sailor, or Marine in your career field to set them up for future success?

Never stop learning...if you think you mastered something, read more. If you think you read everything there is to read about your field, write something then read that. Learning is a continuous thing that we all must do while we continue to take up space on this earth.

Carry a notebook just for leadership notes. Write down everything good or bad that you think is important. Tell why you thought that at the time and would you would change or keep. SFC Bond was the worst PTL SGT I ever had. I learned a ton from him. Basically, if he did something I would do just the opposite. I had it all in my notebook of why it was wrong and what I would do differently. I use it to this day. (If you are wondering if SFC Bond will be offended by me calling him out; I don't think so. He is doing time in a federal penitentiary and probably does not have internet anyway. He was that bad!)

Establish and know your circle of influence and circle of concern and don't sweat stuff that falls in neither.  Also remember that doing nothing is sometimes the best thing a leader can do .....many problems will self resolve if left alone.

Would also tell junior folks to try and solve problems at the lowest level.....not everything needs a SNCO to fix .....but if you get a SNCO involved it will be fixed.....but probably not the way you expected. Use to tell my folks all the time you are empowered to solve your own problems.....if they become my problems I will solve them ....but will solve them my way.