What Do Today's New Recruits in the Military Branches Need to Be successful?

2020-08-13T09:37:45-04:00

What values, qualities, and self-determination do the NEW recruits need today to be successful? You have COVID-19 that has to be addressed during Basic Training and Boot Camp for all the the different branches that has to be dealt with. There are many other factors such as physcial fitness, the divide in our country politically, the attitudes and values of the current youth, the past high rate of deployments, and the list goes on.

Active, Reserve, National Guard, Veteran, and Retiree Officers, Warrant Officers, Senior Non-Commissioned Officers, and Enlisted Service Members serving now, please drop in and give your thoughts for success in today's service branches once an individual has taken the oath?

What will it take for our service members to be successful in 2020 and beyond?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Aug 13 at 2020 9:50 AM

2020-08-13T09:50:47-04:00

They need to keep up on their training and listen to the information that is given to them

Response by MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. made Aug 13 at 2020 9:56 AM

2020-08-13T09:56:36-04:00

A good sense of situational awareness.

Response by Lt Col Charlie Brown made Aug 13 at 2020 10:06 AM

2020-08-13T10:06:20-04:00

Resiliency, determination, honesty

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2020 10:41 AM

2020-08-13T10:41:55-04:00

The recruits need to listen and pay close attention to what is being taught.

Response by CPL Douglas Chrysler made Aug 13 at 2020 10:55 AM

2020-08-13T10:55:42-04:00

We had meningitis to contend with and the solution was every other window had to be open at night in the barracks.

Response by SPC Nancy Greene made Aug 13 at 2020 11:30 AM

2020-08-13T11:30:30-04:00

“Dedication, Motivation, Determination”!
“Adapt & Overcome”!
“...the only thing you Can’t do is Live forever; the only thing you Have to do is Die”!

These ‘kind’ words assisted me in being successful in Basic in spite of a serious injury (which was finally diagnosed 5 months later)

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 13 at 2020 12:04 PM

2020-08-13T12:04:08-04:00

Simply put, a winning attitude.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made Aug 13 at 2020 12:17 PM

2020-08-13T12:17:36-04:00

Maturity and drive to succeed.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2020 2:48 PM

2020-08-13T14:48:06-04:00

Same as always. Basic qualifications, a desire to learn, good leaders, and a lot of motivation.

Response by SPC Douglas Bolton made Aug 13 at 2020 2:51 PM

2020-08-13T14:51:49-04:00

COL Mikel J. Burroughs Great post.

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made Aug 13 at 2020 2:59 PM

2020-08-13T14:59:34-04:00

I know what I needed, discipline ,both imposed and self ,I feel it took this regimen to turn around a lazy,self centered,aimless street corner punk into something resembling a productive member of society,luckily for me there’s been little regression due to a certain woman that foolishly agreed to marry this idiot fifty years ago!

Response by SGT Robert Pryor made Aug 13 at 2020 4:48 PM

2020-08-13T16:48:17-04:00

Sometimes life sucks or isn't fair: "Drive on." And my advice for new recruits is pay attention to every word because you never know what is going to save your life. And for green troops, pay attention to the lessons the seasoned troops and the wisdom they have to share.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2020 5:24 PM

2020-08-13T17:24:05-04:00

COL Mikel J. Burroughs Recruits need to listen closely, be observant, and be willing to learn. Being motivated and determined to succeed are essential along with a never quit attitude. Making mistakes is part of the learning process, just don't make the same mistake twice.

Response by Sgt John H. made Aug 13 at 2020 5:24 PM

2020-08-13T17:24:38-04:00

Excellent Post.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2020 6:51 PM

2020-08-13T18:51:48-04:00

Some heart and tenacity would be great.

Response by CMSgt James Nolan made Aug 13 at 2020 11:03 PM

2020-08-13T23:03:53-04:00

You adapt to the military. Not the other way around.
Belong to and believe in something bigger than yourself.
You are owed exactly nothing.
You earn everything, including your reputation.
You get one (1) chance to make an impression.
Show up (in garrison) shaven and freshly cut-always.
Take pride in your uniform, your service, your work.
Hard work is rewarded with more work.
Old guys everywhere will look at you and remember when they were your age, how they did it better. Relax, you will too someday!
Maintain your sense of humor and laugh with your buds often.
Stay safe. Know we are all proud of you, so keep us proud.

Response by SSG Franklin Briant made Aug 14 at 2020 1:31 AM

2020-08-14T01:31:34-04:00

There should be no change in the requirements of a troop. They need honor, courage, discipline, and loyalty. Nothing has changed there. They must be broken down and rebuilt into the service member we need today. They must learn the history and become one of the family. No matter what generation all troops are made the same way. We need to get away from the pampering and get back to making service members the old school way.

Response by SGT Justin Anderson made Aug 14 at 2020 1:49 AM

2020-08-14T01:49:00-04:00

Follow the values set forth. The Army has good values and ethos which can easily be mimicked.

Response by SSG Jimmy Cernich made Aug 16 at 2020 5:31 PM

2020-08-16T17:31:41-04:00

Physical conditioning, knowing your weapon,learn about your enemies,martial arts training,learn your mos everyday,strive for success,school work,finish college through online degrees are important to excel has an officer, school is equally important has a NCO.Work hard train hard be self motivated to advance make a career of it and retire.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2020 5:57 PM

2020-08-16T17:57:11-04:00

"Semper Gumby" - Always Flexible

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 16 at 2020 6:35 PM

2020-08-16T18:35:02-04:00

Guts, Determination, Bravery, can-do spirit, respect, willingness to learn, Honor and tgats just scratching the surface.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2020 7:25 PM

2020-08-16T19:25:24-04:00

Stop letting the situation of others dictate their military career...so many look at these leaders and see how much sugar the US Military put into their recruiting and advertisement to sweetening the Sign Up Kool-Aid...Just because your leader is shit or not actually trying or the base isn't up to par does not mean the entire military is not like this...you have to focus on yourself and finding mentors who you inspire to be like or shows you what the military actually is

Response by SGT Denny Espinosa made Aug 16 at 2020 8:06 PM

2020-08-16T20:06:33-04:00

Commit to being the best. You might lose, but never quit. Some details may change, but never the basics. So learn the skills, listen to your Sgt, and watch your buddy's six.

Response by SSG Daniel Grisham made Aug 16 at 2020 8:55 PM

2020-08-16T20:55:31-04:00

They need to always put forth their best effort at everything they do, there is no such thing as the words "no" and "can't", and that failure is not an option. They need to make things like honesty, integrity, courage and sacrifice an integral part of their character and soul.

Response by 1LT Peter Duston made Aug 16 at 2020 9:07 PM

2020-08-16T21:07:31-04:00

Listen, learn, grow your soldier skills, follow orders, learn core values all with a "can-do" attitude.

Response by MSG Felipe De Leon Brown made Aug 16 at 2020 9:35 PM

2020-08-16T21:35:48-04:00

Where can one begin? Here are some thought from more than a half century ago.
The same motivation that recruits had in my generation. Belief in something greater than themselves. Dedication to the nation, determination to succeed, to grow physically, emotionally. To learn how to follow, to focus, to always keep in mind that they are part of a team.

Response by CSM Bruce Trego made Aug 16 at 2020 9:51 PM

2020-08-16T21:51:21-04:00

It's been a long time since I taught in USAR school and even longer since I was in combat, but I have some ideas. When I was first in, leadership wanted you to STFU and do your job, period. Don't worry about what everyone else is doing. But that has changed. Now the more you know about what is going on and what others are doing around you and why, the better soldier you are going to be. Understand the role you play in your unit! Be aware that what you do and how you do it is important to the successful completion of every mission. You can't slack off! That's the words of an old hand! Enjoy the good times and learn from the bad.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2020 9:58 PM

2020-08-16T21:58:49-04:00

Learn not to question everything that is asked of them. Why???

Response by SSgt Marian Mitchell made Aug 16 at 2020 10:02 PM

2020-08-16T22:02:04-04:00

Strong work ethics and not a sense of entitlement that I too often see.

Response by A1C Riley Sanders made Aug 16 at 2020 11:16 PM

2020-08-16T23:16:45-04:00

COL. Mikel
What do today's new recruits in the Military branches need to be successful ?
Listen , be mindful, watch carefully , do as asked, stay focused .

Response by SSG Jeff Furgerson made Aug 17 at 2020 4:48 AM

2020-08-17T04:48:59-04:00

An understanding of mission focus and teamwork, today’s leaders need to impart upon these young troops , that while you are entitled to your own personal opinion, the bigger picture (mission) is what has to have the top priority, they need to understand there is no I in team and lastly, remember the oath they took, their team is depending on them to follow orders and do the right thing.

Response by PO1 Steve Ditto made Aug 18 at 2020 1:28 PM

2020-08-18T13:28:41-04:00

Instead of telling the old timers to be quit, that we are not up to date, maybe just listen to us a little bet more and you just might learn something after all.

Response by AB Edward Mondini made Aug 19 at 2020 12:52 PM

2020-08-19T12:52:34-04:00

1. Education
2. Discipline
3. Determination
4. Respect
5. Honor
6. Ethics
7. A sense of responsibility
8. A sense of duty

Response by LTC Jesse Edwards made Aug 20 at 2020 12:06 PM

2020-08-20T12:06:52-04:00

I've worried a lot lately about "Love of Country". There appears to be a massive cultural problem in our youth with overt efforts to set them against the United States founding and existence. Can we maintain a volunteer force in a "Cancel Culture" America?