What is the best/most rewarding duty position you have held? This is mostly for my Army folks, but everyone else is welcome to list theirs.

2015-04-01T20:54:39-04:00

For me I would say, out of the ones that I have held so far, it would have to be PSG. I say that because of the bond that a platoon can have is unlike any other groups in an organization.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Apr 1 at 2015 10:29 PM

2015-04-01T22:29:58-04:00

Garrison Commander, Manuever Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood. I was a PL and XO for 36 months, a Company Commander for 32 months, a Battalion S-3 and XO, Battalion Commander, and a Deputy Brigade Commander, but being a Garrison Commander (37 months) was the best job I ever had. Not any easy job, but the most rewarding job I ever had. Why, because we did day and day out, made a difference for Soldiers (Sailors, Airmen and Marines too), Families, Army Civilians, Contractors, and visitors too.

2nd, long ago, would be as a Military Police Working Dog Hander.

Response by SSG Gerhard S. made Apr 1 at 2015 11:03 PM

2015-04-01T23:03:23-04:00

The best position I held was to lead a Long Range Surveillance team as an E-6. I did so for 16 of my 18 years with F Co. 425th Inf (LRS) (MIARNG). I turned down promotion to E-7 in other (non-airborne) units twice in order to continue serving in the position and with the best group of men I've ever known. I believe Being a LRS team leader is one of the best jobs in the U.S. Army. It is a position of awesome responsibility, as the Team leader is responsible for the training, development, mission planning, and execution of complex, multi-faceted missions from start to finish.

These missions included Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Battle Damage Assessment, Target Acquisition, Combat Search and Rescue, and even some direct action as necessary. Every member of the team help to plan and execute the entire mission, and because there are only 5-6 Team members on a LRS patrol, it is imperative that EVERY member have a clear concept of every aspect of the mission, to include mission, Commander's intent, execution phase, primary, alternate and contingency plans, and Long Range communications. This all on complex missions that include airborne/air-assault ops, water/riverine ops, patrolling, hide and surveillance techniques, link-ups, passage of lines, call for fires/close air support, Medevac, LZ/PZ operations and survival skills necessary for Escape/Evasion/Resistance operations over a possible 150 Km distance to friendly lines.

Working with the skilled, knowledgeable, resourceful, and brave men who served with me was a great honor. One I will remember for the rest of my days!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2015 11:04 PM

2015-04-01T23:04:01-04:00

C5 flying crew chief saw the world and enjoyed it all.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Apr 1 at 2015 11:05 PM

2015-04-01T23:05:16-04:00

I was the guy you came to when you needed supplies for your training exercises. If my act was tight then you guys had what you needed for success. I saw more successes than I ever did failures. Supply Clerk and proud of it!

Response by SP5 Michael Rathbun made Apr 1 at 2015 11:40 PM

2015-04-01T23:40:32-04:00

I was the guy to whom you gave your drugs and to whom you turned over your life when you wanted to kick #4 heroin, and who did his best to get you home without an addiction and with an honorable discharge.

I like to believe that I saved several lives in a non-spectacular way.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 2 at 2015 11:16 AM

2015-04-02T11:16:35-04:00

I was an Instructor for Marine Corps University (my unit was MAGTF Staff Training Program, which is attached to it).

You don't really challenge yourself until you are teaching others. In my case it was everyone from Lieutenants to Majors (some Lt Cols), on a near continuous basis. The military was going through what I can best describe as "a technological revolution."

The old timers were used to doing everything with a Map & a sandtable. The new folks had learned computers in college. The Marine Corps had just started to really adopt computers for "field use."

Although I had always worked around "staff" (aka Officers), I was literally engulfed by them at this location. Because it was a "student environment," in which I would be the junior man in the room, I learned how to "persuasively lead" in a much more refined manor than "directively leading."

Amazing experience.

Response by SSgt Joe V. made Apr 2 at 2015 1:25 PM

2015-04-02T13:25:56-04:00

Embedded JTAC in the 1/30th out of Benning...Good times all six years.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Apr 2 at 2015 1:34 PM

2015-04-02T13:34:42-04:00

Combat Medic

Response by SGT William Howell made Apr 2 at 2015 1:40 PM

2015-04-02T13:40:28-04:00

I was a Military Police Investigator. I wore khakis and a polo shirt to work everyday. When I was in Iraq I traveled all over the country training Iraqi Police. Best job I ever had!

Response by CPL Bill Siggelow made Apr 2 at 2015 1:52 PM

2015-04-02T13:52:27-04:00

I enjoyed being the Company Commander's driver. I had really good conversations with my CO when we were out and about.

I also enjoyed being a Squad leader. The unit I was assigned to was under strength, so being the highest ranked soldier in my squad, I was the squad leader for about 9 months, and then asst. squad leader for the remainder of my time at that unit, when a SSG finally got assigned to the Plt.

Response by SFC Josh Jackson made Apr 2 at 2015 2:43 PM

2015-04-02T14:43:38-04:00

BN S6 NCOIC in Afghanistan. Best job I ever had.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2015 2:49 PM

2015-04-02T14:49:41-04:00

I would have to say PL. I have been a PL for a longer than most I became a PL in August 2012. I won't move until March. Partially do to a deployment and for not wanting to put in new leadership right before then. But I really enjoy this. I have had various positions. I enjoyed being a Squad Leader for a while but I found that I was limited in affecting a unit. I wanted a bigger role. I wanted to be a positive influence on more than my squad. I know that NCOs do have a big impact but there are areas that only officers can change. I saw what NCOs were going through and I wanted to be able to make an environment of where they could flourish. I like to think I am doing that. I wanted to be able to empower an NCO in a way that provided maximum support. I will keep on trying to do that. When I take a company I want to make the NCOs in company have every opportunity they need to do what they think is best. I know I didn't have that and wish I did.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Apr 2 at 2015 2:58 PM

2015-04-02T14:58:20-04:00

Adviser Team leader. Like having a squad of Officers, SNCOs and NCOs with all the weapons trucks and comm you could reasonably want. The skills of that team were absurd. I was completely spoiled.

Response by BG David Fleming III made Apr 2 at 2015 3:01 PM

2015-04-02T15:01:34-04:00

Battalion command is the most rewarding position for most officers who get that opportunity, because your still close to troops and can still effect lives positively. The best!!!

Response by LTC Herman Valentine made Apr 2 at 2015 3:49 PM

2015-04-02T15:49:20-04:00

Company Command was the most enjoyable and exciting, however Battalion Command was the most personally challenging, gratifying and rewarding! Way too much politics and BS after that...

Response by SGT John Wesley made Apr 2 at 2015 7:03 PM

2015-04-02T19:03:42-04:00

My first Squad. I was ill prepared to take on these troops that were all so friggin young and all seemed to have issues outside of work and at work. For a while I kinda wished they'd demote me back to Sp4 but after a bit, I figured it out and things clicked and there Ya are!

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Apr 2 at 2015 7:07 PM

2015-04-02T19:07:57-04:00

Becoming a DRILL SERGEANT IN DECEMBER 2005 and serving at Sandhill, Fort Benning GA; with C/2-47 IN "Charlie Rock, Panther Battalion". I owe it all to my Drill Sergeants and a lot more gratitude. Thanks for training me to fight, win and survive and what the word BATTLE BUDDY MEANS. Yea, didn't know then, but boyee did they watch my 6 and cover me while I moved (the U.S. Soldier).

1ST PLT
SENIOR DRILL SERGEANT JONES
DRILL SERGEANT PULU
DRILL SERGEANT WILLIAMS

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2015 7:14 PM

2015-04-02T19:14:04-04:00

Being a company commander of six platoons for nearly four years was my hardest assignment yet. Your day never ends! But it was also the most rewarding, because I came to see that we were truly a team.

Our Company NCOs were streetwise and book-smart. They had tactical and technical skills, and were excellent teachers, eager to pass on their knowledge. That made us stronger as a whole.

Response by SFC Walter Mack made Apr 2 at 2015 7:31 PM

2015-04-02T19:31:52-04:00

I'd say OPS NCO. I was able to take a leadership role across the whole battalion, and I got to know a lot of other Soldiers and leaders. Plus, I really learned how it is the Army works, how to get work done when needed, and why work often doesn't seem to get done. It's all about people and working relationships.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Apr 2 at 2015 8:03 PM

2015-04-02T20:03:36-04:00

Engineering Officer Operation Deep Freeze. 21-23 year old kid lands on skis during winter, builds a sea-ice runway and artificial ice wharf. Sent to blasting school so got to blow things up and scare the cap out of the Distilled Sailors (Coast Guard) when I freed up the Polar Star. Long over ice traverses in tracked vehicles and ran the surface SAR side. Trading Playboys and a watch to the Soviets at Vostok for sable head gear. Gassing the XO with nitrous oxide. Liars dice. Oh the memories. Had more responsibility and exhaustion than any other O-1/2 I ever met. Making the third deployment because my relief flunked the Shrink Test was a bummer though. Knew something was up when I got called into the Skipper's Office and the Holy Roller was there too.

Response by CW5 Jim Steddum made Apr 2 at 2015 8:35 PM

2015-04-02T20:35:19-04:00

As a instructor at the Warrant Officer Career College, I have learned more than I have taught. This position impacts the Army more than any other position I have ever had which is both rewarding and demanding. Being able to teach something to every candidate and every PME student other the past two years in a great experience.

Response by SSG Kevin McCulley made Apr 8 at 2015 6:41 PM

2015-04-08T18:41:44-04:00

Retiree

Response by SSG Thomas Brousseau made Apr 9 at 2015 5:24 PM

2015-04-09T17:24:22-04:00

TPT Team Leader in Baghdad and O/C at JRTC.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 13 at 2015 6:17 PM

2015-04-13T18:17:01-04:00

Training Supervisor for my section (kind of like a squad sized element) I like to see when people get excited about what they're learning.

Response by TSgt Ronald White made Apr 14 at 2015 7:10 AM

2015-04-14T07:10:19-04:00

Military Training Instructor in the 321TRS of the 737th TRG during the 90's when training was still hard core and not babysitting!

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Apr 14 at 2015 11:20 AM

2015-04-14T11:20:00-04:00

Instructor pilot in C130 Sqdn in Alaska. After over 10 years of flying training missions in lower 48, I had an assignment with a mission to bring supplies and personnel to people in places where air transport was their lifeline. Most remote radar sites had no road or water supply line. Also flew some airevac. Training was less than 50% of missions. (Timeframe was 1980s)

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Apr 14 at 2015 12:07 PM

2015-04-14T12:07:30-04:00

The BCT equivalent would be Sr Drill and - yah - one of the BEST jobs in the Army. Evah!