Have you had a specific individual that not only formed you militarily, but for life in general?

2016-08-02T21:07:07-04:00

Besides my father and uncles who served in WWII, I think back to Gunnery Sergeant T. Goforth, USMC. Wish I could reach out and thank the man for making me know how to think it through.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2016 9:37 PM

2016-08-02T21:37:46-04:00

The list for me is way too long. My first supervisor was a killer NCO, and taught me everything I needed to know my first couple of years, even if it was a difficult lesson. My second supervisor gave no shits about the military. He taught me equally valuable lessons about how to deal with people you disagree with fundamentally while remaining professional and courteous.

Response by CAPT Gary Foster made Aug 8 at 2016 10:35 AM

2016-08-08T10:35:14-04:00

Of all of the people that mentored me along the way, I can point to five people in my formative years that really influenced my life. My dad of course, who was a Navy pilot trainee at the end of WWII; my grandfather, who served as a bugler in WWI; a Catholic priest who gave me an appreciation for humility; my Boy Scoutmaster (retired US Army) who pushed me to excel and attain Eagle; and my high school football coach, who gave me the latitude to be a leader on and off the field. The sixth, my other dad, GYSGT Bowling, USMC, taught me the value of discipline.

Response by CDR Vic Monzon made Aug 12 at 2016 1:08 AM

2016-08-12T01:08:53-04:00

The Leader who had the greatest impact on me was the CO of VP31, where I was an Instructor NFO. He demonstrated true courage and leadership in three situations.... One of the Pilots from my previous squadron (the No.1 Lt) was killed in a flight training collision in Texas. Since there were several of his former shipmates in our training squadron, we asked the CO if we could take one of our training P-3s to Texas for the Memorial. The CO (an O5) called the WingsPac Chief of Staff to inform them of his intentions. The COS (O6) refused to authorize the plan. Our CO asked to speak with the Admiral. He was on the road. Our CO told the COS that he's sending the plane.
While in Texas, we called our CO, indicating the Widow requested we use a P-3 to fly our shipmate's remains to Hawaii for burial. The CO called WingsPac. Same debate, same decision. Only after the fact did the CO inform us of the details. He put his career on the line to allow us to honor a fallen shipmate.
Next event, months later, at a Long Range Training planning board, we pointed out the Instructor NFO staffing was below 70%. This required each instructor to be tasked with Flight/Simulator/Classroom activities for 24 of the 25 day Master Course Schedule. The remaining day was OOD watchstanding. This was the ongoing cycle, and taking away from Division Officer responsibilities. The CO said he would lean on the Detailers to press them to fill the gapped billets. He then challenged us to decide whether the shortage was significantly negatively impacting either Safety or our Professional ability to properly train our pipeline students. If that were the case and the detailers failed to improve the staffing shortfall, he was ready to inform Washington that he was going to start Pooling students. Then if the Pooling didn't force an improvement in staffing, he was ready to put a chain on the doors....until BuPers corrected the deficiency.
He told us, you have to stand up for doing the right thing, even at potentially great risk. It is imperative that we properly train these NFOs, during the peak of the Cold War... with Soviet Boomers patrolling off our coast. WE have to look ourselves in the mirror every morning...and know we did the right thing.