Great advice when attending a military school... What is your story?

SFC Whitehead...my father was once in a special forces A Team that was engaged in "anticommunist" activities. I remember watching a film where the communist instigator rallied a crowd, and when the crowd surged ahead tearing things up, the instigator faded into the background. During my own career, I could not help but notice how certain personalities always tried to take control of a class or group during initial stages. While they weren't communists (we hope) they also faded into obscurity or absurdity during the longer courses. Some remained to become a thorn in the side of real leaders, constantly criticizing rather than supporting in the manner you described. So I always looked and listened and waited for them to fall while working on credibility. While I did not always become the top leader, I was happy being in the top group to help get the job done and get us all through the course.

Till this day, the hardest course in the Army I ever attended was the Master Gunner course 19KA8. They challenged me, they tested me, they failed me. Follow your heart, and study, and no outside influence. 19KA8/K1 I think? is the best gut check next to SFAS I ever attended.

That's a great move and one that is often used in many different circumstances. You'll note that most that respond do so in the same manner. Keep you mouth shut, your eyes and ears open and your brain engaged. Most of the training you're taught has been taught many times over and it takes a lot of effort to change that instruction (for a reason). Reason is that in most cases it works. You'll have some hot shots that have better ideas. Bottom line; learn it they way they teach it first and when you gain real life experience you may come up with some tweaks. Let the newbies learn the foundations of the teaching first also. Don't show them any "shortcuts" that more experienced have learned. They too will learn in time. Adapt.