Im trying to get some sort of recognition or recommendation during my current deployment. How do I accomplish this?

2020-08-15T22:47:22-04:00

Im trying to go from enlisted to officer soon and would like to get some sort of recognition or recommendation during my current deployment. I’m at a small, kind of bare base so not a lot going on. My best idea is to start up a program or morale booster base wide. Any ideas or anything you’ve seen done during a deployment along these lines would help?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2020 11:20 PM

2020-08-15T23:20:06-04:00

In addition to being the best at your current MOS, you can take on tasks that need to be done without anyone asking you to do it.

Response by SGT Justin Anderson made Aug 15 at 2020 11:27 PM

2020-08-15T23:27:08-04:00

Baseball game, rugby game, etc. The sky is your limit. Fitness, weight lifting, strong man competitions. Some kind of competition. We did Best Fire Team and Best Gun Team competitions (who performed the best in infantry skill sets)and threw in some funny challenges like what the could chug the most near beer before the first person in their team vomited. Use your imagination. Unless your command team is are a bunch of fun suckers, you should easily be able to pitch an idea and get something going.

Response by SGT Justin Anderson made Aug 15 at 2020 11:36 PM

2020-08-15T23:36:25-04:00

You could also go above and beyond in you skill set. Be a leader to those around you and take charge whenever you can. Pitch ideas to expedite progress at work. Seek knowledge and share with your peers. It's good you're seeking to progress, it's more impressive if you're well rounded for your current job.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2020 12:14 AM

2020-08-16T00:14:39-04:00

I know a Soldier that started a crafty Facebook group dedicated to supporting others in his MOS.

Response by MAJ Byron Oyler made Aug 16 at 2020 12:27 AM

2020-08-16T00:27:45-04:00

Are you wanting to do this program to meet the needs of the SM where you are located or are you wanting to do this because you want to commission and it is for your needs? We have enough leaders that do things to make themselves look good, we need more leaders that do things to take care of their people. What you are looking to do can help both but I am reading here you are primarily interested in doing it for your needs. Please give this some thought.

Response by SGM Billy Herrington made Aug 16 at 2020 1:19 AM

2020-08-16T01:19:43-04:00

I tried to bring home an AK. Probably not the attention you’re looking for though.

Response by GySgt Gary Cordeiro made Aug 16 at 2020 2:21 AM

2020-08-16T02:21:21-04:00

Bring cultures together. When cultures meld, progress is made. Soccer match with the civilian population? Find a way to share the best of your culture with the country you are in. Culture lasts forever if it is founded with family, religion and tradition. If you divert from this pattern, you will fail.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Aug 16 at 2020 6:07 AM

2020-08-16T06:07:22-04:00

May I say first that the premise of seeking recognition is not indicative of what NCOs and Officers do. I understand that you are relatively young in service, and your intentions are probably genuine.

Look around your camp, listen to those that are looking for outlets and work to fill that void. Sorts, books, morale calls, contact your hometown grade school and work for notes or letters from the kids, even those being taught virtually, they too need something to get there minds right. Seek to fill a void remeber you have a COC, you make the recommendations and seek their support. “Recognition” will occur as a matter of course.

Response by Sgt Jude Eschete made Aug 16 at 2020 1:14 PM

2020-08-16T13:14:22-04:00

As many others have said, you need to focus on being the absolute best in your job and maintaining Air Force standards. Everything else is secondary. When I deployed, all I cared about was keeping comms up and going to the gym. To me, if you have time to do all kinds of extracurriculars on deployment, then you aren't developing your craft.

In my downtime on deployment, when I wasn't running, I was studying for professional certifications related to my field. I learned how to program, and applied that to my job as well. Because I was only an Cpl/E4 by the time we got back, the highest award that they wrote for me was a Certificate of Commendation. I didn't care because I knew I did my job the best that I could.

When I got back from deployment, I threw myself at every single piece of gear we had. I then also took college courses in a major related to my field. I read every tech manual, scheduled air time on the comm equipment tested, and took notes on everything. I learned how to make my gear work for me and not the other way around. I even figured out a way to pull data from our satellite link to laptops connected to our radios so reports could be uploaded over a secure connection in the field.

When our next MEF exercise came up, I figured out a way to integrate communications quickly between every unit present which earned me recognition from the MHG Co., which led to my unit writing me up for a NAM. I also made it a point to foster good relations with every person who had a hand in making sure we accomplished our mission. Once I was promoted to Sgt/E5, my Gunny made me the Platoon Sergeant within the week because he trusted me to get the job done correctly on the first try. Then because I excelled at my job, my platoon Commander (who just so happened to be my Company Commander as well) made me the company guide, and then I got on my Batallion SgtMaj's radar in a good way and he made me the Batallion Color Sergeant.

Had I stayed in I would have had a wrap sheet ten miles long when I would have eventually put in a WO package, not because I sought recognition, but because I focused everything into being better at my job than everyone else. I also did everything I could to maintain Marine Corps leadership standards, and applied the leadership principles I was taught.

Tldr: Be the best at your job, innovate in your field, recognition will come.

Response by CH (MAJ) Luke Phillips made Aug 16 at 2020 9:09 PM

2020-08-16T21:09:38-04:00

How is your current level of physical fitness? Are you maxing your physical fitness test scores? If not, this is a good place to start.