Military service is a unique profession that less than one percent of our nation answer the noble call to serve their country. Some are motivated to join based on a relative that served or something more profound such as, answering a higher calling. In the quest to serve, some will make a career of their service while others will only commit to their first term obligation. Whether they decide to make it a long-term profession, or move on after a few years, one should aim to have a successful career serving their country. While there’s no exact recipe or secret to a successful Army career, it takes dedication and sacrifice to ultimately achieve success.
As I reflect on my journey to join the Army, my decision was influenced by my older brother, who had served in the Navy. I can remember thinking that I wanted to do something to make an impact on society, and I also wanted to travel the world. My original thought was to serve four years in the Army and move on, but, little did I know that I would have made the Army a career. The decision to serve past my initial obligation came because of the camaraderie, love for country, education opportunities and the availability of the success I could achieve from the Army to fulfill my personal and professional goals.
To be successful in the Army requires dedication to lifelong learning and dedication progression. Understanding the unique culture challenges that come with being a member of this profession and they must be willing to dedicate time towards their career. The success one achieves in the Army, is determined by the time committed to achieving those goals. To be successful in the Army requires lifelong learning and dedication to principles that will facilitate understanding the unique culture of the Army. These principles are discipline, and consistency, professional and personal growth, taking care of yourself, surrounding yourself with goal-oriented leaders and reflecting.
It is vital that one commit themselves to understand the Army’s culture and determine what they want to get out of the Army. Throughout my career I’ve often heard those around me ask what the principles to a fulfilling Army career are. Some seek to find the perfect combination of things that would make them successful. According to Matthew Abolurin, “Success in life is a must for all that want to fulfill destiny. Success is not cheap, and it has principles that must not be compromised to make it happen.” As I reflect on my success and my professional journey, I can undoubtedly attest that one cannot take short cuts or the easy road if they want to have a successful career. I believe that the following principles can help shape a successful Army career.
Discipline & Consistency
Denzel Washington during his remarks to aspiring actors and actresses said it best, “Dreams without goals are just dreams and they ultimately fuel disappointment; however, goals on the road to achievement cannot be achieved without discipline and consistency.” A professional, must be able to dedicate themselves holistically by creating a pattern of behavior that over time will bring them success. Throughout the history of any sport ranging from soccer, basketball, or football, you can find those that earned the covenant title, “the greatest of all times”. Players such as Pele, one of the world’s greatest soccer player, basketball legend Michael Jordan, or hall of famer NFL player Terry Bradshaw were disciplined and consistent in their approach to becoming the greatest by practicing their craft each day. Much like our professional careers, we must dedicate time and energy into making ourselves better leaders and Soldiers. Our physical fitness, work performance, NCOERs, OERs, or conduct as leaders must be consistent 365 days of the year.
Professional Growth
The profession in which we serve is an unforgiving environment that requires leaders to be on their “A” game, whether in garrison or combat. When leaders are not in the fight and present, it can result in the degradation of readiness or the loss of lives. Army Regulation 600-100 defines “professional growth” as, “The deliberate and continuous process of education, training, and experience that prepares Soldiers and Army Civilians of character, competence, and commitment to perform present and future duty in accordance with the Army Ethic.” As a steward of the profession, we must seek to be well-rounded leaders to be effective at what the Army expects leaders to be, know, and do.
While professional growth is critical, another aspect to leader development is seeking a mentor. A mentor can be someone in or outside of your field of expertise. It is recommended that you find both, which will bring a different perspective to your development. One fundamental importance of professional growth is our ability to be deliberate and committed to our profession. The following are resources that will contribute to your professional growth; Army Career Tracker, Career Map, and DA PAM 600-25.
Personal Growth
While it is essential to focus on your professional growth, it is equally important to emphasize personal growth. Some of the most renowned leaders in the Army have spent a considerable amount of time investing in their personal growth. These investments range from reading, civilian education, learning from those that inspire them, and taking opportunities of various leadership courses. Additionally, they were able to spend time mastering the art of leadership, building an excellent reputation, honing the skills of their respective fields, and having impeccable character. Your personal growth can also encompass anything that you deem necessary to transform your current state of mind. However, you decide to develop yourself, it should be an intentional, deliberate, and realistic plan complete with a set of goals you can accomplish.
Take Care of Yourself
The Army profession demands that its members to stay physically fit. While in the Army, it is required to meet the standards of the Army’s Physical Fitness Test and other physical activities that are required. Physical fitness is critical and, a holistic approach towards fitness and health should be taken. This approach can encompass; emotional, spiritual, social or family fitness. Taking a holistic attitude will maintain a high level of readiness and create the most lethal Soldier on the battlefield. The Army invests in various resources for Soldiers to keep a high level of readiness. One of these resources Soldiers can utilize is the Army Wellness Center. The Wellness Center is a prevention program designed to provide Soldiers with resources to maintain excellent health and physical fitness. When Soldiers fail to take care of themselves, that makes them non-mission capable or place them in a non-deployable status. As a Soldier-athlete, taking care of yourself is crucial to a lifelong career serving our nation.
We Need to Surround Ourselves with Goal-Oriented Leaders
When we surround ourselves with individuals that are aspiring to be the best, we become a product of our professional associations. Associating ourselves with groups that have no desire to move up the ladder of social or professional hierarchy will stifle growth. It is imperative that we constantly reevaluate how our goals align with the people we associate with to ensure they support us, instead of suppress us. Surrounding ourselves with goal-oriented and professionally supportive leaders will inevitably force us to assimilate their tactics and techniques that made them successful. No one reaches their full potential all by themselves. Reaching your full potential is a combination of efforts and support network which can include: family, friends, or co-workers pushing you to achieve those goals. Building a strong network both personally and professionally will enable you to learn from the experiences of other successful individuals.
Reflect Often
Our experiences in life shape who we are as individuals, Soldiers, and leaders in our Army. To gain perspective from these experiences, reflection is a necessary process to improve. Much like how after a training event an after-action review (AAR) is conducted, on an individual level, one should conduct personal AARs to capture best practices and areas of improvement. Through the process of reflection, one can think about their actions, experiences, and choices they make in life. Whether it’s military training, education, or individual experiences, reflection will encourage you to be insightful and learn from those experiences. Ultimately reflection will bring value to your development and betterment of the organization.
A successful Army career depends on one’s ability to be disciplined and consistent, seek both professional and personal growth, take care of ourselves, surround ourselves with goal-oriented leaders that will challenge us to be better, and reflect often on our experiences. No one wakes up, or joins the Army for that matter, and decides not to have a successful career. No matter the journey in life, we are destined to do and be something, but only if we apply ourselves to excellence. In closing, success should become a part of our DNA and we should be committed to utilizing every moment in life to achieve our goals and aspirations.
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