What is something you have done/are doing in the military that you would recommend to others to do? Be it fun, exciting or different

SSG James Elmore — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 11:02:13 -0400

I just reenlisted yesterday and I'm very excited to see what the next six years holds!
I'm also curious what kind of things there are out there (In the Army) that I could try to do that I might not have already done.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 21 at 2016 11:07 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 11:07:59 -0400

Always step forward for small unit opportunities to go out and do something. It may be in support of CA, prep a stepping stone as an advance party, whatever. It gets you away from the "blob". If you get the chance, go overseas and repeat the above steps. Do well and you'll get noticed. I never regretted a tour in Antarctica or doing Dets in TimBukNowhere.

Response by Cpl Jon Westbrook made Apr 21 at 2016 11:23 AM

Cpl Jon Westbrook — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 11:23:55 -0400

Anything related to embassies or consulate, overseas opportunities, or sea duty. Being on ship was one of the best moments of my career.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2016 11:29 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 11:29:06 -0400

Drill Sergeant duty. I think it's fun, others may disagree. I think it's different when you volunteer because you WANT to do it. Being DA selected is like being drafted. It's a rewarding job.

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Apr 21 at 2016 11:30 AM

SSG Ed Mikus — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 11:30:44 -0400

research all things you can apply for, special units, MOSes, jobs, positions. look into everything you are the prime candidate for most of them.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2016 11:31 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 11:31:00 -0400

Mentorship Program. There are so many SM who have no idea about resources available for them to use, support that provides them to get ahead and better their career.

Response by MAJ Keira Brennan made Apr 21 at 2016 12:53 PM

MAJ Keira Brennan — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 12:53:59 -0400

Outside of a deployment, an OCONUS assignment or something sexy like Hawaii. My two Germany tours were magnificent! I was in a unit supporting USASOC personnel to CENTCOM and the EU partnership for peace. When not working I travelled. Family and I had a dream vacation to Egypt that never would of happended back in CONUS. CONGRATS O. THE REUP!!

Response by LTC Andrew Addison made Apr 21 at 2016 1:19 PM

LTC Andrew Addison — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 13:19:19 -0400

I do volunteer work and I would suggest that all military people out there do something that benefits others. Give of yourself and you get something back. There's even a medal awarded for volunteer work for military personnel.

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2016 1:23 PM

SCPO Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 13:23:29 -0400

Learn everything about your command have a working knowledge of each function. Become an expert in your career field, and than get certifications and a degree that corresponds to the job you will pursue once you have completed your military service. And never stop learning. This approached helped me advance while in the military and helped in in my current career. Also I can not overstate the importance of networking and branding yourself. This will get you the best billets and move your career.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2016 2:27 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 14:27:24 -0400

I set a set of goals per enlistment, and strive to get there. I reenlisted last month, and for this enlistment, I am going to finish my bachelors. Fort Hood offers NCO lead courses, so I added those as well as getting my real estate license by 2020. Then I encouraged my Soldiers to do the same. So we are in competition to complete our certs. I am a very competitive person :-) even with myself!

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Apr 21 at 2016 2:36 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 14:36:57 -0400

Ask for a ride on a MEDEVAC chopper.

Response by SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM made Apr 21 at 2016 4:56 PM

SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 16:56:47 -0400

SSG James Elmore ,
Complete your degree. Granted there are a lot of team members who give so much to their respective organizations, yet forget to take care of themselves. Regardless of how many years an individual may serve, it is important to complete something that you can carry forward into your next chapter. Lastly, congratulations for making the decision to continue serving and remaining an impact player for the team and the organization as a whole. Best of luck moving forward.

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Apr 21 at 2016 7:13 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 19:13:17 -0400

Run the Army Ten-Miler. Do the Warrior/Best Warrior challenge. Volunteer at your local JROTC. Join the 300 club. Attend college classes. Be a mentor to a more junior Solider. Explore the country or state you are assigned in. Anyway, you get the picture, step out and round out. Give to yourself and your community.

Enjoy your tour!

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 21 at 2016 9:27 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 21:27:51 -0400

SSG James Elmore, this is great question to ask. I recommend the following: compete for NCO of the year, go through the SAMC process, become Combatives certified, compete in the Memorial Bataan Death March, run 5K's, 10K's, half and full marathons, become an instructor of any kind, earn a degree, operate as much Military equipment that you can get your hands on. PCS to Europe and then travel every chance you can get, try all kinds of food at least once and become a Warrant Officer.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Apr 21 at 2016 11:04 PM

SN Greg Wright — Thu, 21 Apr 2016 23:04:34 -0400

Congrats!

Off the top of my head, something (probably) unusual for you: the Army has a crap-ton of boats. Maybe try to TAD to one of them or something, try out Maritime stuff. Even better -- and almost certainly huge advancement points since it's not likely many volunteer for this -- look into Army billets on Naval vessels. They're out there.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Apr 22 at 2016 12:56 AM

CSM Charles Hayden — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 00:56:34 -0400

SSG James Elmore Congratulations on taking a burst of _____ ? Go Airborne! Do all of the fun stuff before your knees, body and will tire! If you are going to be a Soldier, do the right things! Learn, lead, study, strive to progress and be LOYAL - to the Army and to the family which may accrue!

Response by SPC Kenneth Koerperich made Apr 22 at 2016 2:12 AM

SPC Kenneth Koerperich — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 02:12:10 -0400

Hmm, not much to say, because when I was in, we were in the field so much we had no time to do anything but that. Then base support, 24/7 working for a month, then deployed again. My first DS, I spent less than 60 days in garrison. The rest was in the field or deployed. Guess Infantry works harder than the rest. While in, only 3 people got to AA, 1 to AB, 2 to RS, out of 340 of us. And only 1 found the time to get a couple credit hours in college.

IMO, pick an MOS that keeps you busy, & you won't need to worry about anything else. Your to busy working & being deployed. I guess I would recommend doing what you love, & cherish your free time if you have it.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Apr 22 at 2016 4:53 AM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 04:53:08 -0400

A tour in Diego Garcia, Fishing, Diving, Drinking, Working Occasionally, Rinse and Repeat.

Response by MSgt Msgtroy Foster made Apr 23 at 2016 6:53 AM

MSgt Msgtroy Foster — Sat, 23 Apr 2016 06:53:16 -0400

Handling, mixing by hand and power spraying AGENT ORANGE HERBICIDES ON GUAM can be interesting

Response by MAJ Raúl Rovira made Apr 24 at 2016 1:49 AM

MAJ Raúl Rovira — Sun, 24 Apr 2016 01:49:31 -0400

Take an overseas assignment, live in private quarters and mingle with the locals. Bonus if you can make it an Embassy duty.