What is the one thing that you wish you had done differently in the military?

1SG DeyShuan Shepherd — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 13:58:07 -0400

Response by SSG Shawn M. made Mar 22 at 2014 2:05 PM

SSG Shawn M. — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 14:05:13 -0400

Should have went combat arms! Promotions are way faster, discipline is better, and more opportunities to train. Don't get me wrong, being an MP is has some upsides such as specific schools to our MOS but overall I wish I would have went Infantry.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2014 2:35 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 14:35:56 -0400

Sounds silly, but I asked not to be platoon guide in basic training. I told theDS that I didn't want to hurt the team by being in charge and not knowing anything.

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made Mar 22 at 2014 2:51 PM

SFC William Swartz Jr — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 14:51:33 -0400

I guess for me I would have looked out for number 1 a bit more when I became a SFC, a lil disgruntled about not making MSG, but I did ensure that my Soldiers ALWAYS were taken care of and progressed as they deserved it as best I could.

Response by MAJ Bryan Zeski made Mar 22 at 2014 2:54 PM

MAJ Bryan Zeski — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 14:54:44 -0400

I think I would have made some different life choices as well as military ones. I now encourage my kids to stay single for awhile and, if they want to join the military, look into enlisting in the Navy - you get to travel the world, see cool new places (and not have to worry so much about the people there actively trying to kill you). Then, after their initial tour, they could decide whether to go to the dark side (officer world), get out, or stay where they were. Or they could pick another service and give it a shot.

Response by SFC Lamont Womack made Mar 22 at 2014 3:10 PM

SFC Lamont Womack — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 15:10:41 -0400

I would have went OCS or Green to Gold when I had the chance. I finish my Masters degree next month but I have no options to become an Officer (Only a pilot which I have no desire to fly). I love being an NCO but I've had some terrible experiences with Officers. I'm honestly a little bitter that I have to listen to some Officers who have zero leadership ability and I have the same or higher level of education than them. If I could do it again I would focus a little more on myself.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2014 10:46 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 22:46:13 -0400

There are days I think that I should have kept my 18x contract.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2014 11:01 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 23:01:39 -0400

My first PSG had a saying "Career progression is not an option, in this platoon you will always be doing something to further yourself personally and/or professionally." As an E-5 I was disgruntled with the military and was 100% positive I was not reenlisting. I was in a bad unit with bad leadership (looking out and caring only for themselves and their high ranking buddies). Because of my bad experience I developed a bad attitude toward the military and I stopped developing myself. I spent four years and ten months as an E-5 missing nine different opportunities at making cut-off before I decided to change my attitude. This delay caused me to miss out on the promotion board to E-7 in 2012, finally getting my "first look" and making the list in 2013.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2014 11:15 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 23:15:45 -0400

For me, it was going Warrant. I wanted it badly but kept telling myself that I wasn't readya dn wasn't good enough...yet. I finally spent my time as a Motor Sergeant and Team Chief and finally decided that I was finally ready. My chief (CW4) told me that unfortunately I waited too long as I had 15+ years at that time and wouldn't likely be selected....I pushed forward to become a SFC..!

Response by SPC Michael Hunt made Mar 23 at 2014 12:34 AM

SPC Michael Hunt — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 00:34:29 -0400

When they started downsizing after Desert Storm in 1992, I would have found something more constructive to invest my time and energy in.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2014 5:11 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 17:11:24 -0400

I wished i would have taken advantage of going to school earlier in my career. It might have been a little easier and i should not have got out the first time. Wasn't a good choice and now i trying to catch up to my peers.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 23 at 2014 10:37 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 23 Mar 2014 22:37:33 -0400

I
dont have any regrets with my service. I made all the choices I made with the
best knowledge that I had at the time, but given the opportunity I would have
taken charge of my own career much sooner, instead of waiting on my leadership.
Simply I would have not been so lazy with ACCP and other career progression
that I either knew or should have known to do.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Dec 27 at 2014 1:38 AM

SFC Mark Merino — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 01:38:20 -0500

Stay in the Infantry.

Response by PO2 Steven Erickson made Dec 27 at 2014 12:01 PM

PO2 Steven Erickson — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 12:01:05 -0500

Put in for Dive School. No, not BUDS. Just Dive School.

Response by 1SG Cameron M. Wesson made Dec 27 at 2014 4:40 PM

1SG Cameron M. Wesson — Sat, 27 Dec 2014 16:40:09 -0500

No complaints... I would not be as fortunate now had I not done those assignment. Even getting hurt fast roping had a purpose.