Who had the greatest impact on your life? Why were they so effective at influencing you in a positive way?

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 09:11:12 -0500

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2018 9:48 AM

1LT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 09:48:40 -0500

SGT Garcia. I haven't had the blessing of being around a lot of great influential people in my Army career, But SGT Garcia made an impact.

He was a PFC when we first met. He had gotten in trouble and been knocked down from E-4, wasn't afraid to admit it and wanted to show us how to come back from mistakes. He became my first line within a year and led from the front. He taught me hard work, discipline, professionalism, and basic soldier skills. He gave a damn about me, kept his word, and followed up on his actions and plans.

Culturally, he grew up in Mexico and had a rich heritage of honor and respect in relationships. I admired this. He motivated me to be better at my level and care about others on my left and right. I think what made him unique was how he handled and issued tasks. He would tell us "If I'm working harder than you, you're wrong". Then, he would bust his ass making it hard for us to keep up; it earned our loyalty.

Also, he actually counseled us every month (DA 4856) and I benefited from this greatly. Only NCO I had who was consistent with it.

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Nov 28 at 2018 9:59 AM

SMSgt Thor Merich — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 09:59:21 -0500

My drill sgt, SSG Ricky Bonnell. Army Ranger who became a drill sgt. He taught me a lot about exceeding your expectations and “being all that you can be.”

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention John Wayne also.

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Nov 28 at 2018 11:01 AM

PVT Mark Zehner — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 11:01:49 -0500

My 2 Uncle's both Army Veterans of the Korean War both fought at the Chosin reservoir!

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 28 at 2018 11:27 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 11:27:45 -0500

Phil Scott...
My high school Cross Country Coach passed away a couple of days ago. He was like a father to me. We were pretty poor and had 3 runners on the team. Knowing that we could not afford shoes, every season he would purchase new training shoes for us. I still remember how happy he was to hand deliver them to our house. He was not making much money himself.
He was a hard worker that went to the Olympic trials in the decathlon and bike racing. He was also a coach for Cedarville University, and was awarded coaching titles from 2 other universities for his mentorship of athletes within their program.
He was an expert historian and comedian.
I miss him so much!!

Response by TSgt Matt Zien made Nov 28 at 2018 3:01 PM

TSgt Matt Zien — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 15:01:06 -0500

I don’t think it’s possible to have one person to have the title of the most influential person in your life. For me, at least. There have been several who who have been extremely influential at many different stages in my life. For me, during my 16 year career, the most influential people were CMSgt Mark Hammack, CMSgt Jennifer Kersey, CMSgt Grant Embry, and CMSgt Carl Collins. Over the course of my career, during my good times, and bad times, they each played an extraordinary role in my life at the time when I needed it the most. Post military, I have a core group of civilian friends who have become my lifeline, but for military, COL Mikel J. Burroughs, has had an astronomical influence on my life in more ways than he will ever know. I am deeply grateful and blessed for their friendship, guidance, and continued presence in my life.

Response by COL Mikel J. Burroughs made Nov 28 at 2018 3:13 PM

COL Mikel J. Burroughs — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 15:13:25 -0500

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member There are more than just one that has influenced my life. First, my Father, Tough as Nails Korean War Veteran and Purple Heart Recipient (Died 7 Oct 2016 at 85) - taught me to be tough as hell when it was needed, secondly COL (Ret) John P. Edwards, former Commander of the 357th Aviation Detachment, mentor, coach, and friend for life who inspired me to go from enlisted to Officer culminating in a 37 year career and retirement as a Full Bird Colonel, my Mother, 83 and still going strong (I'm her fulltime caretaker now) - tough, but fair lady, Third, my Eighth Grade Teacher, Mrs Griffin who told my Mother that wouldn't amount to anything in life (Guest a fool her), and finally my Varsity Football coach back in high school who grabbed me by the helmet my freshman year during hell week (I was 5'2" and weighed 130 pounds), and he said, "You'll never play varsity ball here, you're too small." I played varsity my sophomore, Junior, and Senior years, All Conference, 1st Team Defensive Back, Honroable Mention in the State, and finished at 195 pounds 5'9" and was recruited and offered a scholarship to play Junior College Football at Eureka College in Illinois. Great post Brent!

Response by CSM Danny S. made Nov 28 at 2018 4:53 PM

CSM Danny S. — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 16:53:15 -0500

When I think of a person that impacted my life, I think of my first squad leader SGT Simion. Everyone hits that point were they decide if the Army experience is good for them. So I was a PFC in Osan, Korea and managed to get in some trouble with friends. While standing tall in front of the man he stood up for me. I ended up getting a slap on the wrist and it set me down the path I am on today. Then 19 years later I am a 1SG were I could of been a one enlistment soldier.

Response by SPC Casey Ashfield made Nov 28 at 2018 5:31 PM

SPC Casey Ashfield — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 17:31:58 -0500

MSG Gerald Bailey. He was the NCO instructor during my first year of ROTC. His dress uniform would put most people in awe, only thing missing was a MoH. He was a Green Beret with more years in service than I have been alive. He was on the ground as a scout sniper team during the Khobar Towers bombing.

And for all his achievements, he had the most confidently calm expression I have ever encountered. He was funny and very humble despite all he did throughout many years of service. It was also him who first taught me how to shoot. Having never picked up a firearm before, I did not understand what was going on compared to my peers who had spent a lifetime of hunting. I had just finished my 5th round on the 25m zero range. There was one hole on the sheet and it wasn't on the black or even the grid. He wrote "Needs Jesus" on my card.

So he passed his bullhorn to someone else to take over as RSO. He pulled me to the side with my rifle. And for half an hour he calmly gave me some pointers. And for the rest of my Army career, I never shot below 35/40. And some of the very lessons he taught me, I passed along to soldiers I taught to shoot when I was the one in charge.

Response by 1SG Bill Farmerie made Nov 29 at 2018 4:51 PM

1SG Bill Farmerie — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 16:51:32 -0500

I've taken things from all my leaders. Some leaders were great, some good and some bad. Even the bad leaders I was able to take something positive from. Remember everyone who becomes an NCO has at least one positive thing you can learn from them. My most influential was 1SG Ira Seaberry. He epitomized what an NCO should be and I tried to emulate him.