Heading to my first duty station as a 25B. What are some things I can do to enhance my career, as well as any tips or advice?

2016-06-05T08:18:00-04:00

Response by SPC Neil Hood made Jun 5 at 2016 8:21 AM

2016-06-05T08:21:34-04:00

Education, Education, Education! When you have your initial counseling at your unit ask your NCO what kind of opportunities exist that he/she know of to further your education. Also ask about soldier of the month boards.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2016 8:22 AM

2016-06-05T08:22:39-04:00

Remember: please do not throw sausage pizza away.

Hahah... Have fun. What you learned in class is maybe 1/10 of what you should have gotten. Everytime you have an oportunity to go to a class, be it professional or techinical, TAKE IT! Airborne, air assualt, cls, load master, resiliency... Anything... Do it.

The pozza thing is kinda joke... Its a signal thing... If you dont get it... You didnt listen in class.

Response by SPC Dominic Lambert made Jun 5 at 2016 8:22 AM

2016-06-05T08:22:40-04:00

I am a 25B over here at Hunter, pretty close to Stewart. Best thing you can do to enhance your career is certs! Go after them. Same with schools, anything they offer take it! Tips and advice? First few months there be a sponge! Learn from everyone around you, be observent, take notes of what you may need to remember. I know it can be nerve wracking, but you'll be fine. If you need anything or have any questions send me a PM. Im not far from Stewart!

Response by CW4(P) Detrottus Thomas made Jun 5 at 2016 8:24 AM

2016-06-05T08:24:01-04:00

Be where you're supposed to, when you're supposed to be there, be in the right uniform and do as you are told. If you can do these things, everything else will fall into place. Also, try to learn as much as yiu possibly can about your MOS and work on your military and civilian education.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2016 9:22 AM

2016-06-05T09:22:30-04:00

DA PAM 600-25, this will let you know what you should do as far as what military schools you should take. How much civilian education you should have at certain points in your career. It doesn't have everything but it is a guideline that the army has given you. So start with that and branch out.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2016 10:59 AM

2016-06-05T10:59:19-04:00

I agree with the guys below. Go to school I.e military schools and college. Get your network certifications go after them don't have someone make you get them. Study on your own and dedicate yourself to achieving goals. Listen and learn from the people over you. If you follow this things you'll do great.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2016 11:47 AM

2016-06-05T11:47:38-04:00

Education education and more education

Response by SGM (R) Antonio Brown made Jun 5 at 2016 11:48 AM

2016-06-05T11:48:16-04:00

Be in the right place...at the right time...in the right uniform...in the right frame of mind...ready to train/work (Ranger Russell's 5 R's). No one should know your job better than you. Learn everything about the unit you are assigned that way you will have better understanding of communication requirements. Start now preparing to leave the Army. I known that it sounds crazy but here is why. There have been Soldiers who are a year or so short of retirement or they are being medically separated and have no education or savings with no plans for survival after the military. To prevent this from happening to you just follow the recommendations of those who have responded before me. Education, Certification, Education, and Savings.(I meant to put education twice). It is never to early to prepare yourself for unit boards such as Soldier of the month which will to Soldier of the quarter and Soldier of the year. One last thing. Piss poor planning, leads to piss poor performance/outcome. This is true in and out of the military.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 5 at 2016 6:42 PM

2016-06-05T18:42:58-04:00

Step 1: With the exception of $100/month, setup an allotment for the remaining money in your check to go to your TSP.

Step 2: Learn to live light, only acquire what you need, the Army will provide the rest.

Step 3: Get snipped, the last thing you need is to get Jane pregnant.

Step 4: Read Army Regulations and Field Manuals, you can get them here: http://armypubs.army.mil/

Step 5: Try to get an Army Fellowship: http://www.apd.army.mil/pdffiles/r621_7.pdf

Step 6: Get your degree, some very good online Degrees are with WGU http://www.wgu.edu and Regis, http://www.regis,edu

Step 7: Ruck everywhere you go and place all of your TA-50 in your ruck sack, this should account for at least 45ilbs. Add some weights.

Step 8: Volunteer for everything, a good NCO will see that, and your command will take notice.

Step 9: Take the Combat Lifetaker Course as soon as you get to your first unit

Step 10: Keep every document you ever get, and get a copy of everything you can. I cannot stress this enough. You get a counseling and PCS to a new duty station, keep the counseling. Keep the DA31. You have orders to deploy, get a copy of the orders. When you get to a new unit you are typically assigned to the Brigade, get a copy of the orders. If you get assigned to a company in a Battalion, get a copy of the order assigning you to the Battalion, then assigning you to the company. You get put on a duty roster, get a copy of the duty roster. Get put on a detail, get a copy of the detail roster. Scan everything and place it in Google Drive.

Step 11: If you plan to re-enlist, do it while in a combat zone and only if it comes with a bonus.

Step 12: Only re-enlist if you get a bonus. Your Retention NCO will badger you to death to get you to re-enlist even when there isn't a bonus. You can always be discharged, take a break for about a month or two then hit up your local recruiter about enlisting again. Don't get pressured to stay in unless you are getting something for it. Hit up the Air Force, Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard and see what they are offering.

At least this is what I tell myself what I should have done when I was in. Good luck

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Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Jun 5 at 2016 7:39 PM

2016-06-05T19:39:17-04:00

Go in eyes wide open, take note and appear eager to learn. Realize that you know very little, but portray that you are confident in what you do know. Determine quickly which of this around you is a driven and motivated Soldier to try to learn the ins and outs of the unit from. If you partake in alcohol curb the urge to go out and get hammered to show how cool you can be, your first few weeks and months are crucial to you becoming a part of the organization and your team. Going out with the group is ok, just set limits for yourself and stick to them. Study the units policies in all areas and be able to generalize the units in a way that makes sense to you. If you are not super fit, this should be a focus, stamina is the key to survival. Hit the gym more than the clubs, ruck and run make it easier and fun. tay in touch with your family back home and don't let them worry. The rest will fall into place.

Good luck, Hooah!

Response by SGT Anthony Rossi made Jun 6 at 2016 2:35 AM

2016-06-06T02:35:12-04:00

When you raised your hand and took the oath of enlistment; you had a vision of what a soldier is in your mind. strive for that ideal. Regardless of other soldiers around you or over you. Stay true to that vision. But always remember to be humble. Good subordinates make great NCO's in the future!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2016 10:44 AM

2016-08-10T10:44:58-04:00

Never stop looking at schooling, try to obtain as many certs as you can. I just left Gordon a year ago and that's been huge in my unit. Skill-ports will win you points.