Do What You Want

CPT Mike M. — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 16:43:21 -0500

In an OPD with my Brigade Commander at the time, when he opened the floor for questions I asked if he had any advice for career moves that would set people up for success. Surprisingly enough he said "Do what you want". He said that regardless of the stigma of certain jobs across the Army, if you're happy with what you're doing, you're more likely to be good at it, will be rated well and professionally will be successful. This is coming from an Armor officer who left Armor to be a Foreign Area Officer then came back to Armor (most would consider that a career killer) and then took an AC/RC job (he was told that was a career killer). Fast forward and he ended up getting a Brigade Command slot which is no easy task.
So the discussion is, what have you seen in terms of positive or negative outcomes that have come from taking possibly out of the ordinary positions? On the flip side, have you seen someone's career completely plateau who took all the right jobs at the right time?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 7 at 2013 4:56 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 07 Nov 2013 16:56:21 -0500

yeah that happened to me actually, I was an E-5 working my butt off on ADOS orders trying to move up and make myself popular with in ranks and maybe get an AGR job. That did not happen at all. I was stock cleaning up a mess that other service members left behind and it cost my state at the time a quarter of a million dollars. I cleaned it up and what did I get for it, nada damn thing. So after that I did hit a complete plateau and I am still kind of struggling.

Response by PO1 Glenn Boucher made Jul 2 at 2015 1:39 PM

PO1 Glenn Boucher — Thu, 02 Jul 2015 13:39:14 -0400

In theory we all do what we want and for a select few it works out well for them. Sometimes you have to do what is necessary and take the crap jobs or work for the poor leaders who think its their way or the highway.
I know for myself I took the hard jobs, I took on collateral duties, I never tried to avoid sea duty, in fact I much prefer sea duty as part of ships company over shore duty.
The thing with the military though, and this is my opinion only, is that if your not part of the clique / group, or you don't have the proper mentors looking out for you advancement is much tougher. Making E-6 is fairly easy, have decent evaluations and know your job, the tests are easy enough. Its making E-7 that is much more difficult if you are not with the right mentor.
I have seen people with great evaluations and in an everyday job without collateral duties but with the right mentor make E-7 and the people with great evaluations, tougher jobs and no mentor be passed over.
I have no regrets, I loved my time in the Navy, I moaned and groaned when things didn't quite go my way but I always moved forward looking for the next, best opportunity. But in my honest opinion you have to find the best mentor on top of knowing your job and taking on extra jobs to be promoted up the ladder.