What was the biggest sacrifice you had to make, or opportunity you had to pass up, in order to pursue your military career?

Cpl Kevin Henderson — Sun, 12 May 2019 13:04:24 -0400

I remember one SGTMAJ that never married nor had children in order to focus on his career. Some friends in my old platoon re-enlisted even though they could have done financially well in the civilian sector. I understand the military is about sacrifice, but do you feel giving up personal happiness and opportunities are worth it?

Response by SPC David Willis made May 12 at 2019 1:50 PM

SPC David Willis — Sun, 12 May 2019 13:50:02 -0400

I personally didn't feel that way. I figured I did my four years which included 2 deployments and I was ready to get out. I dont think I would have left for money, but I certainly left for family.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made May 12 at 2019 2:12 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Sun, 12 May 2019 14:12:00 -0400

Cpl Kevin Henderson Excellent Question!

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made May 12 at 2019 4:19 PM

Lt Col Jim Coe — Sun, 12 May 2019 16:19:32 -0400

Happiness and opportunity are very different things. You are in charge of your happiness at any moment or place. Throughout my military career I was usually happy and tried to reflect a positive attitude toward my work. It wasn't too hard for me. I was getting to do what I wanted to do, fly airplanes, at least some of the time for about 16 years. Opportunities are often beyond your control. They may exist suddenly or develop over time. I had opportunities to do jobs I would have never thought of when I graduated from college, such as being a magazine editor, thanks to my time in the Service. I also had opportunities to live in locations very different from where I grew up, Tulsa, OK. The most different, fun, and interesting, was Alaska. Perhaps the opportunity I passed up was to be a civilian commercial pilot. I had the experience and license necessary by the time I reached my 8th year of service. Had I chosen to make the jump then, my life would have been very different. Probably would have brought in a larger salary, but would have had the opportunity to be laid off on several occasions. The flying would have been much more mundane. Droning from city to city at 30,000 feet several times a week in a modern jetliner that was only a few years old. I made the decision to continue the challenge of bumping along 300 feet above the earth, using rudimentary navigation equipment, in an aircraft that had seen over 10 hard years of flying (including multiple tours in Vietnam), to locate what looked like a football field size drop zone, to airdrop troops or equipment.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2019 4:20 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 May 2019 16:20:31 -0400

I did the opposite. I turned down great opportunities, that were absolute career builders, at a different post in order to move to a post where my kids would be close to their grandparents. The goal is to retire here so that I don't have to move my kids again, even though I was definitely on track to become a SGM one day. It doesn't feel like a sacrifice, though.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2019 9:22 PM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 12 May 2019 21:22:27 -0400

Nothing. I sacrificed family.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2019 10:55 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 May 2019 10:55:40 -0400

My 18 year marriage, along with about half my kids' lives so far.
Looking forward to the chapter with more of them and no more Army.
I wouldn't have changed much, because it has been my honor to serve. But it is my regret that my children had to pay for it.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 13 at 2019 2:22 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 13 May 2019 14:22:31 -0400

I think it became harder to maintain my friendships. It was hard to make any time with them. But luckily my family is strong, I have the motivation to stay fit, and my career has skyrocketed. I would say it was worth it.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2019 8:32 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 14 May 2019 08:32:34 -0400

Due to the nature of my position, I did not have to make any sacrifices to continue Serving this great country of ours. In truth, I built a civilian company whose revenue exceeds $1M annually while performing my military duties at a high level. How did this happen? I educated myself and refused to fail when any obstacle was before me. Most importantly, I have the right support channel at home, the right friends and mentors, and incredible business team members.

Key point? Success is about your state of mind and motivation level. If you intelligently approach your goals with a positive attitude and allow yourself to be surrounded by those who support you, you will almost always succeed. You do not always have to sacrifice to move up in this world.