How can I regain my motivation and my drive?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 May 2019 20:42:00 -0400

When I joined the army I wanted to do several goals. Now i know each of them are impossible.
I’ll never deploy
I’ll never do my MOS(68W)
I’ll never pass air assault
I feel like I should just give up and go back home. I’ve lost lot of motivation and my drive. I don’t how to find it again.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2019 8:43 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 May 2019 20:43:20 -0400

Why are any of these tho ha now impossible? Seems like you just need to change your mindset and focus on things you can make happen.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2019 8:46 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 May 2019 20:46:52 -0400

What is your reasoning behind each of those statements, I think a large part of it has to do with your current duty station or unit of assignment. So what kind of unit are you in?

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2019 8:49 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 May 2019 20:49:25 -0400

I ask the same question. Why are these unattainable? There's plenty of ways to get all of that, and much much more.
I'm going to assume that your unit just isnt what you expected. There are ways to change, and also ways to attain those things while in it. Let's us know some more, we're here to help man. Be open and honest and we will as well.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made May 20 at 2019 8:57 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Mon, 20 May 2019 20:57:51 -0400

Everything unattainable? Why?

Response by SP5 Dennis Loberger made May 20 at 2019 9:14 PM

SP5 Dennis Loberger — Mon, 20 May 2019 21:14:59 -0400

I don't understand this never stuff. Never? Why? Every soldier can be deployed eventually. Can't imagine not performing your MOS. For generations everyone said it was physically impossible to run less than a 4 minute mile, then Roger Bannister ran 3 minutes 59.4 seconds. Before you know it, people all over were breaking the 4 minute mile. Never say never, it starts with belief that I can or disbelief that I can't

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2019 9:21 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 May 2019 21:21:12 -0400

Fundamentally SPC Private RallyPoint Member, when one is experiencing the tough scenarios you describe, one has to take a serious look at one's self...and I don't mean that in a bad way... Examine what you did in each of the areas you mentioned.
Ask yourself!:
1) Did you follow the same approach on each area?
2) What was working & what wasn't?
3) Is a better approach possible?
4) Have I had a positive or negative approach in the past?
5) Can I be stronger, faster, better, in each area?
6) Can I ask for a do over?
...and the question list goes on... List your strengths & weaknesses and decide if those weaknesses can be eliminated and turned into strengths... You are in charge of your destiny, no one else...

Take a positive approach to everything you do and accept no less than your very best and then exceed that!

Reset your goals, and go forward! You "CAN" do it, you "CAN" master anything you set your mind to accomplish... Don't ever give up, don't ever let yourself down!!! If you fall, pick yourself up and redouble your efforts!

Help others! Set a positive example that others can follow! Remember, the longest mile starts with the first step!!! Take that step and don't stop until you reach your goals!!! Go for it, brother...I am confident you can achieve great things!!! Msg me, connect with me on RP or follow me or reply to any of my posts and tell me how you are doing!

"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." — Confucius

Confucius was a 6th Century B.C. Chinese philosopher and politician of the Spring and Autumn period. The philosophy of Confucius, also known as Confucianism, emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity."

In my view, Confucius thought and wrote with simplicity, but with deeper meaning and understanding...that is what falling and rising are all about... "Falling" is but a metaphor for, among others, losing one's way... "Rising", is also a metaphor for fundamentally finding one's way again... And as we think on this more deeply, it can be applied to any part of our lives as the message is loud and clear!

Remember this:
"Some of us, if not most of us will fall down today or tomorrow, so what, pull yourself back up, brush yourself off, and continue to move forward — that's what really counts!" — COL (Ret) Mikel Burroughs

Good luck my brother!

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made May 20 at 2019 9:45 PM

SFC Christopher Taggart — Mon, 20 May 2019 21:45:30 -0400

If you were expecting "mommy" to hold your hand thru all this...YOU definitely were mistaken. Take it for what it's worth...TODAY is the day you cut the apron strings! The day you left mommy & daddy’s house, is the day you said you wanted to be a man...now act like one. Adults will do things they don't like or want to, but because other soldiers on your team depend on you and you depend on them, giving up and going home will be a loss to both. You say those goals are unattainable...they are IF you choose them to be unattainable. If you quit now, YOU definitely will quit when things get hard in the civilian world…unless you’re planning to move back to mommy & daddy’s house. Today is the day you grow up...welcome to Adulthood and the United States Army! Hoorah!

Response by SGT Chris Stephens made May 20 at 2019 9:55 PM

SGT Chris Stephens — Mon, 20 May 2019 21:55:53 -0400

So, I'm just going to be blunt because this generation of young Soldiers need to hear it even if it offends them or hurts their feelings. It's called being a Soldier and a professional. That's how you find the motivation. So, the Army is not exactly what you thought it would be...welcome to the real world! You signed a contract so man up and honor that contract. If you can't do that, then it's safe to say, you're going to do the same thing in life when things get hard. What are you going to do when marriage isn't what you expected? Or when being parent isn't what you expected?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2019 9:56 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 May 2019 21:56:38 -0400

Sometimes you'll have to let the current take you to a place where all the fish are at, In other words, goals are the future, and that's why us humans loose our motivation when the goals don't happen, we don't live in the future, we all live in this second, minute, hour and day.
"It's good to have goals, but it's better to live in the present"

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2019 10:00 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 20 May 2019 22:00:56 -0400

You already quit before you started. You seriously think motivation pushes people through life? Do you really think that successful people wake up every day motivated as hell? Every. Single. Day?
Motivation is a lie. You didn't go to basic to learn motivation, you went to learn discipline. Identifying goals and setting conditions for reaching those goals. Determining a course of action to reach those goals and the DISCIPLINE to move forward in those steps day after day until you reach the goal.

You are in literally the best MOS for a junior Soldier. It's the most fun, you get to do the fun stuff with your guys, you get time for college, and it opens a door into many other areas. Best of all, you'll never experience any bond like the bond between a platoon and their Doc.

If you don't like where you're at, then change it instead of feeling sorry for yourself. It doesn't matter where you're at, if you're a medic there are opportunities for you if you're willing to put in the work. And if you REALLY want Air Assault then go to Fort Campbell, it's practically part of inprocessing there.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 20 at 2019 10:06 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Mon, 20 May 2019 22:06:53 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Time to Analyze Your Approach to these Problems. You can Do anything You Want. Sometimes You Just have to Look at Alternative Approach. You want to "Deploy" Join the Navy and Become a Fleet Sailor. I promise You a 6 Month Westpac. You want to be a "Combat Medic" Become a Navy Corpsman attached to the FMF Fleet Marine Force.

Response by SGT Christopher Hayden made May 20 at 2019 10:38 PM

SGT Christopher Hayden — Mon, 20 May 2019 22:38:08 -0400

Being deployed ain't it all cracked up to be, kid.

Response by CPT Tommy Curtis made May 20 at 2019 11:27 PM

CPT Tommy Curtis — Mon, 20 May 2019 23:27:36 -0400

Find someone to help you.

Response by SSG Raymond Lester made May 20 at 2019 11:57 PM

SSG Raymond Lester — Mon, 20 May 2019 23:57:08 -0400

Can’t have quit in your heart. By the way every school is designed to find your quit. That is why you won’t pass air assault, if you have quit they will find it.

But the real deal is you need to examine what you want in life. It may not be a military career, not the end of the world, in fact you live longer.

Response by PO2 Wk Landry made May 21 at 2019 3:00 AM

PO2 Wk Landry — Tue, 21 May 2019 03:00:09 -0400

Ok this isn't hard. The simple answer is go join the Navy, deploy on something smaller than an aircraft carrier bigger than a mine sweeper & head to sea for a 6 month deployment. You'll get remotivated because there is no one else around to do your job. Hard answer is rethink your goals. Dismiss all the BS in your life, cut your goal down to 1 meaningful achievable accomplishment, & stick to it until you have achieved it at the level you desire. Build a habit of achieving doable goals. Before too long you'll look back having accomplished more than you may have thought you could. Oh yeah, ... you have to quit with the 'stinkin thinkin' in YOUR BRAIN. Your brain is the most power tool on the planet. And if you take an incredibly power tool of any kind, then use it incorrectly, ... a hell of lot of bad stuff is going to happen! Clean up the way you are using your most powerful tool, deploy it correctly, then get onboard 100% & hang on for the ride of your life. Same thing goes for you and soul/spirit (whichever term you're comfortable with). Get it cleaned up, straighten out, & running correctly & you will not ever have to 2nd quess any of your life choices or decisions again. That divine being that you are an integral part of can teach you more about defining yourself & what you want to accomplish in this life than literally anything else on this planet/universe.
It's easy to just say 'Who is this good ball that has responded to my call for help?' But if you were the kind of person that looks for the easy way out, ...
YOU WOULD NOT BE IN THE FREAKIN UNITED STATES OF AMERICA MILITARY SERVICE & WILLING TO DIE TO KEEP PEOLLE YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW SAFE & FREE TO PURSUE THEIR GOALS & THEIR HAPPINESS.
Hang in there, ... practice doesn't make perfect but it does develop the confidence & skills & ethics to achieve about anything you desire.
Final quick lesson: stop functioning in fear-based emotions. You only get 2 -- fear & love. The 2nd is much much the stronger of the two. Open your heart, mind, & eyes. The world becomes much less hostile & complicated. Work from love-based emotions. No you don't have to go around being a mamby pamby the world is all rainbows & Rose's. You will still have to kick someone's ass from time to time, .. and you won't have to hate them to do it. Next know that if there are 6-7 billion people on the planet, the only one seeing your situation from your perspective is YOU. Don't expect that anyone else understands what you perceive or that you understand what anyone else perceive. It really helps in cutting down on fist fights at the local bar ... I know from many not great experiences.
Also remember that all those people that always told you to give everything a 110%. There nuts & no one has that much e n.v energy. Pick the things that you want to give 100% to and do it. Find a happy middle ground for the rest of life's crap.
Good luck

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2019 3:47 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 May 2019 03:47:32 -0400

I’ll never deploy: it's a large pie. everyone gets a slice eventually, some more then one. Take a good look at the world situation and don't think you won't deploy. You won't be in TRADOC your whole career.
I’ll never do my MOS(68W): Outside of deployments, most "Docs" don't really do the high speed, EMT stuff..which is a good thing. What do you think your job is? I imagine right now you support an aid station and put moleskin on the feet of sick call rangers who had a hard time adjusting to the last ruck march. Guess what, that is not much different then what you will do at most units.

I’ll never pass air assault: Why? Are you out of shape or something? You have control over this. Get in shape, do extra training during down time. I don't understand why you feel this way.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made May 21 at 2019 5:50 AM

CW4 Craig Urban — Tue, 21 May 2019 05:50:55 -0400

Perhaps you should get out.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2019 10:29 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 May 2019 10:29:17 -0400

You can do one of two things:

1) Change your situation to get yourself to another base in a high speed unit where you can go to AA, where you can deploy, where you can do your MOS.

2) Get out.

Either choice starts with pulling your head out of your ass. Pull up your big boy pants, exercise that discipline you were taught, and make a plan then execute the plan.

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2019 10:57 AM

CW3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 May 2019 10:57:45 -0400

If you have already accepted those statements you just made as fact, then you are right, you will never succeed. Accepting defeat in your goals is the first problem you need to overcome. Those who succeed often have *many* failures before they actually get what they are striving for. However, most of us only ever see their successes. Once you realize this, you realize failures, set-backs, and bad luck, are just a part of life. Its how you deal with those negative events that define your future.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made May 21 at 2019 11:46 AM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Tue, 21 May 2019 11:46:22 -0400

Of course you will not achieve your goals with a negative attitude like that. If you want to succeed in the Army, YOU have to go get it. Big Army ain't going to hand it to you on a silver platter. If you have set goals, that are attainable, then you have to have the intestinal fortitude, drive and determination to strive to reach them. If you're posting looking for a pity party, pretty sure you won't find it here.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made May 21 at 2019 12:06 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 21 May 2019 12:06:20 -0400

Look back at how far you have come. That should help motivate you to push on. If you don't PT or run much, it's one of the best motivators out there. It clears your mind of the trivial stuff and allows you to focus on success.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made May 21 at 2019 12:47 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Tue, 21 May 2019 12:47:24 -0400

I think you may need a change in situation or location to help you regain your motivation and drive; however, you shouldn't try to change anything until you decide where you want to go. Take some time and seriously look at your life goals for the next 1, 2, 5 and 10 years. Write them down. Talk about them with a trusted relative or friend. Consider their feedback. You had some goals you think you won't get to accomplish now. Of course, you really don't know what the Army has in store for you, so the impossibility of these goals is based on what? Rumor? Limited experience? Reevaluate the goals and add new ones. Make sure your short-term goals, 1 or 2 years, are achievable.
Once you have your goals, then work to achieve them. Don't hesitate to post your goals on the inside of your locker door or someplace else where you'll see them every day. Keep a copy in you wallet. Maybe you need to leave the Army when your enlistment is up to achieve some of your goals. Maybe you need to look into serving an another Service and MOS. Whatever you do, NEVER give up.

You might start with: Being the best medic in my unit, with the highest level of knowledge and skill in caring for Soldiers possible through training, education, and practice.

Your biography in RP is incomplete so I can't advise you further without additional information.

Response by Cpl Mark A. Morris made May 21 at 2019 1:14 PM

Cpl Mark A. Morris — Tue, 21 May 2019 13:14:27 -0400

Platoon Medic sounds cool. Why will you not deploy? You look fit.
Sometimes, people need to get their blood work checked if they are depressed a lot. I do not know you. But if you passed the PFT for Medic, you should be healthy.
I can't help you if I only have a few words to go on. Can you tell us about yourself. What happened?
Don't be afraid to write. Once the Senior enlisted here see what is really going on for you, you will be protected and helped with sound advice.
I'm waiting.
Over

Response by SSG Dave Johnston made May 22 at 2019 11:11 AM

SSG Dave Johnston — Wed, 22 May 2019 11:11:12 -0400

CSM Darieus, Z.; The only Senior NCO to ask the appropriate initial question of "Why". It's too bad the initial post doesn't explain further the issues this servicemember is facing. Maybe a session with the Chaplin to start with...

Response by SPC Michelle Goodhart made May 24 at 2019 5:09 PM

SPC Michelle Goodhart — Fri, 24 May 2019 17:09:44 -0400

Motivation? Being in the military is about selfless service, intestinal fortitude, and serving where and when you are needed. I truly don’t mean to sound unkind but... you are a Soldier, stop feeling sorry for yourself and serve in whatever capacity you can or move on. Your post sounds like you already gave up just because you didn’t get what you wanted. Sometimes, many times, service is about sacrifice... Service isn’t easy, and you will never get everything you want in the military or in life... sometimes that is a blessing... Best advice I can give you is to suck it up, work hard, and Soldier on. Maybe the experience will help you grow, make you strong, and teach you you can do more than you thought. You will not gain anything in life with a negative self pitying attitude. If you want to achieve something work hard... not half ass hard, dedicated hard. If you can’t work hard to gain your goal, perhaps you didn’t really want it in the first place.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 25 at 2019 10:36 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 May 2019 10:36:13 -0400

Ok boss,

Cheer up man, the wars we have been dealing with the past decade plus are not as busy as our times before you came in. Naturally, not everyone can deploy. You have to see the plus side that you have a job at all and this job provides you with literally the easiest of tasks to complete your mission of right time, right place, right uniform, and being a good teammate and leader.

You’re in a position where your MOS is the second largest of them all and will allow you to migrate to nearly any place our Army has a duty station. You’ll have to reup for those things. Going to Air Assault is fun but it’s just a badge you wear on your chest after two weeks of a course where you may not do any of it unless you’re at the 101st.

So your chances of using the course outside of that unit is just taking a slot from someone else who may want to go to 101st. If that is you then reup and go for it.

Look at the good things that you can do as a medic. I spent time at the 82nd, then Walter Reed treating real injured soldier and making a difference. Now I teach medics so look at what you can do for us in our Army and your value. Your value is not just to go to a school and earn a badge and go to a war Zone we have plenty of other whole missions out there that we need help managing.

Ask yourself- am I good at what I do?
Do I feel valued for what I’m doing?
Can I do more?
Can I be better?
Can I lead?

If you can answer these with yes the. You have your motivation and we do value you as long as you continue to want to put in the work.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 19 at 2019 10:23 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 19 Jun 2019 22:23:51 -0400

Why won’t you deploy? I was in a non deplorable unit but I went on the list for units that need extra help and I deployed within 3 months of going on the list.

Response by SSG Hank Ortega made Jun 30 at 2019 5:20 PM

SSG Hank Ortega — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 17:20:52 -0400

Get off your dead ass and drive on. Motivation comes from INSIDE.
Whining never got anyone anywhere. Work out every day wether you want to or not.
When you say to your self “I’ll never...” You are quoting a self-fulfilling prophecy. You are absolutely correct. You will NEVER.
On the other hand, if you say, “I WILL...”, then you WILL. Self fulfilling prophecy.
In 1966 I was a skinny17 year old. Basic was a snap, AIT in the summer was harder, but jump school was difficult with two broken ribs in ground week. I got recycled because I couldn’t do a good PLF to the right. Landed on that reserve buckle every damn time. I wouldn’t let the 1St SGT send me to a Leg unit, so I padded my ribs on that side and with the 1st shirt and two TAC NCO’s I went to the old platform and passed. Then I had to do two weeks of tower (which was actually easier), then passed jump week thinking “I can do this”.
Never Give Up.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 30 at 2019 6:10 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 18:10:12 -0400

What are the obstacles?

Response by PV2 Duane Schlender made Jun 30 at 2019 6:32 PM

PV2 Duane Schlender — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 18:32:50 -0400

Specialist, I will do what others have not. Offer you a chance to talk to me directly in order to find out what your real problems are and solve them. I screwed myself 19 years ago. don't make my mistakes, and regret them every day of the rest of your life.
I am here to help, if you accept the help.

Response by SFC Melvin Brandenburg made Jun 30 at 2019 7:11 PM

SFC Melvin Brandenburg — Sun, 30 Jun 2019 19:11:10 -0400

Applied discipline

Response by SGT Jason Huskie made Jul 7 at 2019 10:48 PM

SGT Jason Huskie — Sun, 07 Jul 2019 22:48:00 -0400

Failure comes from giving yourself permission to be less than your true self. Maybe you listened to your haters or things got hard and you wanted to take the easier option. Stop it now.

If you ever had it you can find it again. Close your eyes and ask yourself who you want to be. That image/identity is still right there inside of you each moment. It's ingrained in your DNA as opposed to failure which is more like makeup. Get that shit off of yourself and drive on tomorrow morning like a bat out of hell