What decisions have you made in your career that you look back on feel where mistakes?

SFC A.M. Drake — Sun, 23 Feb 2014 03:31:42 -0500

What have you learned from them?

Response by Maj Khoi T. made Feb 26 at 2014 10:03 PM

Maj Khoi T. — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 22:03:43 -0500

When I was a brand-new 2nd Lt, I deliberately did something that I knew was wrong. I felt overtasked at the time and thought if I got in trouble, the worst that could happen was that I would get removed from this one duty I didn't want in the first place. Luckily, all I got was an LOC. The notoriety in my branch was worse. I learned you always have to do the right thing no matter how you're feeling at the moment.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2014 10:21 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 22:21:50 -0500

<div>SFC Drake,</div><div><br></div><div>I did what I believed was best: prolonging life of a patient as long as possible.</div><div><br></div><div>I learned there was a difference between prolonging life and prolonging death.<br></div><div><br></div><div>Warmest Regards, Sandy</div><div><br></div>

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2014 10:29 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 22:29:53 -0500

I am a Meteorologist now and in the military but was offered a commission but I took the $18,000 re-up bonus. I could have been a helicopter pilot too but trust me I would crash. I do not think seizures are good when you pilot. lol

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2014 10:35 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Feb 2014 22:35:35 -0500

As a CPT I was deployed to Kuwait for a 6 month tasking to work in the Third Army Command Group. At the end of the tasking I was then told I would not redeploy I would stay another 6 months only in the PMO (my original section).

I was given the choice from my boss in the command group to stay in the command group or go back to the MPs. I made the mistake of leaving a job I was good at and a boss who I liked working for to go to a position where there was no actual work to be done and I worked for someone I didn't respect.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2014 12:32 AM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 00:32:37 -0500

SFC Drake,

This may not be what you are looking for, but my biggest regret was speaking up when I saw and experienced things that were wrong. Though at the end of the day I pride myself on my integrity, integrity can be a double edged sword. I am happy that I saved other Soldiers from going through a rough experience, but the effects of my decision still affect me to this day. Had I only kept my mouth shut and endured the abuse, I would be in a much better position. My career was almost ended, but I had to fight hard. I now wonder if I would have been better off being put out. It seems it was all for naught.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2014 1:06 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Feb 2014 01:06:14 -0500

As a SSG I went a bit too aggressively at the BN XO (who's father once occupied the same position GEN Ordierno currently holds) after he made some derogatory (in my opinion unprofessional) statements about my sections inability to accomplish a mission that really needed the BCs facilitation.

I said some words that I probably shouldn't have. I ate a little crow, did some corrective training and moved out.

So, the end result was learning to choose your battles wisely.