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Starting Today

I'm about committing to action. When what we want takes a while to achieve, we have to start today. 

For 3 months, he constantly brought it up to his Platoon Sergeant. Whenever he saw his First Sergeant, he'd tell him that he was staying fit, had his packing list ready, and was just waiting for his shot. He talked to the NCO in the Battalion schools slot to ensure he had the correct 4187 format and had the required pre-requisites needed. He also ensured he had his packing list assembled, he learned his RTTs, read up on the classes and 20 boards, and was as fit as he could be. He was preparing himself, by himself. He believed in himself when others didn't.

When he finally had his packet ready, he was ready for all the likely objections. Do you have the packing list? "Yes." Can you even pass an RPA? "Yes, I can take one now." Did you get the 4187 format from Battalion? "Yes." At that point, there was no reason for his PSG to say no. So the packet made it's way to the 1SG. And when the 1SG asked the PSG those same questions, the PSG already knew the answers. 

This NCO acknowledged that in a great unit, he wouldn't have to do it all by himself. But he understood his situation, and wasn't going to let his dynamic hold him back. He did this for personal reasons to get after his goal. But his goal, going to Ranger, would make him a better soldier and a better leader - that helps his unit. 

Getting it Done

It was inspiring to see someone believe in themselves and put in the work, over the course of several months. He got to a place where the only answer was yes. He went to school a couple of months later and came back with his tab two months after that.

Do things always work out like this? Absolutely not. He still could have gotten a no from his chain of command. But he did everything he personally could to put himself in a position to succeed. He took personal ownership for what he wanted. This is initiative.

Everything we want starts with action.

There is so much talk in the military and in life about wanting to do things. Everyone wants something special, but how many of us are actually willing to commit to the action required? And that action isn't always clear.

 

But it always starts with initiating movement and starting to figure out the required steps one at a time. 

That work in reaching success often happens behind the scenes. That is something I appreciate about the NCO who got himself to Ranger. Going to school and earning your tab is the visible part. All the hard work of getting himself to the school, and physically and mentally preparing himself to succeed happened behind the scenes. His work was often alone, and challenging, and probably scary at times. No one wants to privately be working their ass off and not eventually reach their goal. It takes that much more motivation to get to that goal when you're doing it alone.

Not only can this story share how one NCO got after his goals, but also how we can be part of the solution to help others. Those in leadership should be helping their subordinates. Peers can help their buddy - whether its working out with them, checking in on them, or helping out with the packing list. When that happens, our teams become great. 

No matter what you want, in the military or not, it starts with trying. Whatever your next goal is, and whatever fight it takes to get their, own it.