In your opinions, what is the ideal attitude a Soldier should have about their job in the Military?

2017-09-16T02:58:03-04:00

Specifically in terms of demeanor, outlook, etc.
IE:
Some Soldiers wholeheartedly go full boot and attempt to do everything without asking questions at the probable risk of destroying or fouling up the task given at hand.
Other Soldiers treat their jobs as they would a corporate office job- They do their duties, ask what questions they need, but partially politic when needed/when advantageous.
And the rare Soldiers who seem to (whether perceptually or literally) seem to get everything right without a single hitch along the way.

I treat it mostly like a Corporate office job, but I am but a Reservist so I get only a fraction of the experience Active/Mobilized individuals have. Thoughts?

Response by SSG Trevor S. made Sep 16 at 2017 3:07 AM

2017-09-16T03:07:34-04:00

You do not have a (P).
To answer your question, I think Soldiers should be a sponge. They should be willing to learn at every opportunity. They should also be willing to put forth maximum effort.
Here is an example. I started off with "You do not have a (P)". You should research and find out why I said that. Or you should be able to refute it by quoting your unit policy on boards and promotions.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 16 at 2017 8:51 AM

2017-09-16T08:51:11-04:00

Why the sudden interest in proper military etiquette? Did you screw up?
At your current level just be where you're supposed to be and do what you're supposed to do.
In general your unit would be better suited to answer this question for you.
The job of a NCO is to teach young soldiers and you should never feel afraid to ask questions.
The fact that you just went outside of your CoC to ask for help is a rookie mistake.
Just follow the counseling & mentorship from your TL & SL or other NCOs.
They should be communicating with you on a 4856.
Rallypoint is a great resource to post questions but you should try your unit first. Otherwise you'll be posting questions all day about this and that.

Good luck to you and ahhh to be young again!

Response by MAJ Dennis Hyde made Sep 16 at 2017 1:11 PM

2017-09-16T13:11:16-04:00

Do the best you can do.

Response by MSG Mel Trout made Sep 19 at 2017 7:36 PM

2017-09-19T19:36:37-04:00

In SEP '72, I actually had my draft notice in my left hand when I signed NG papers with my right. First 4 months before basic I got to observe in blue jeans. Lots of attitudes and people complaining about the chose they made 4,5,6 years earlier. No idea why, but I developed the attitude of "I'm here for 6 years, why fight it?" Guess it was a "Be All You Can Be" attitude. LOL Attitude was up and down and sometimes I wondered why I was doing it, but I have never regretted it. I'm quick to point out that my NG, Reserve time does not even come close to the Reserve and NG of today. My hats off to young people today that choose any branch. They will never hear "mobilize", but they may hear "deploy" many times.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Sep 19 at 2017 10:25 PM

2017-09-19T22:25:25-04:00

I appreciate most anybody with an optimistic outlook. Younger service members do well to foster optimism because almost everyone reacts positively to optimists--even pessimistic people. "I love how bad it sucks here" is difficult to get mad at.

Response by MSG Pat Colby made Sep 20 at 2017 9:52 PM

2017-09-20T21:52:59-04:00

Reserves (and Guard) are tough. They are tougher when you are an E-4 and below. Drill weekends are a freaking scramble. You have no idea how many (Company, Bn, Bde & above) Staff Sections have been bartering for your available time. Your best bet at your current Rank is to remain optimistic and acknowledge the fact that you are barely a Sprocket on a Cog in a much larger machine. Your observations of common attitudes is spot on. "Full Boot", "corporate" and "politic" are pretty much your three choices. Most Reserve units don't need a mindless Boot or a person with a Part-time attitude. They are in dire need of those you deem Political. There are two Classes of those Political animals. Those for themselves and those that want the best for their Organization. Your actions and attitude will place you in any of the aforementioned Classes whether you want to be in that Class or not. Since you volunteered, why not do the best for your Organization?

Your statement, (which displays your attitude) that you are "but a Reservist" tells me that you are at your correct Rank. Another thing you alluded to was "The Golden Boy" mentality. You would be an arrogant fool to think your shit don't stink and you are one of the ones that "seem to get everything right without a single hitch along the way".

Response by Joe Hill made Jan 9 at 2018 11:22 PM

2018-01-09T23:22:03-05:00

They should help anticapitalist revolution : join the army of the toilers.

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Apr 1 at 2022 7:18 PM

2022-04-01T19:18:31-04:00

It’s pretty simple, just do your job the best way you can, if you have a question ask your immediate supervisor. If your given a lawful order you do it, after you do it then you have a question you do it in private. It’s not hard, for the most part you just do your job 5 days a week.