Category: Career Advice

I have been blessed by having many amazing leaders in my life from sports coaches to the Navy Chiefs and Officers and of course my parents too. Today, I am going to share pieces of advice that Veterans learned in the service from other Veterans. I found an online community for Veterans, and I asked what the best piece of advice they received while in the military. I loved the responses.

By the end of the first day there were over 200 comments and after week over 500 comments. There were lots of repeats, some I can’t repeat and some I didn’t quite understand. To my Veteran friends who may not have seen this post online and are just seeing this article now, what is the best piece of advice you received in the military? As for me, well mine is the last one on the list. Check out the list and whether you’re a Veteran or not, let me know what you think.

Enjoy the list.

• If you’re not 15 minutes early, you’re late. OR It’s better in life to be an hour early than a minute late. (Arriving early was by far the most popular comment received.)

• Adapt & Overcome!

• Teamwork! Always!

• Work hard, play hard.

• Embrace the suck and succeed despite it.

• Slow to speak; read the room; know your audience.

• Ownership creates leadership.

• It’s easier to say you’re sorry than to beg for permission!

• Take each day as a new day. Look forward to tomorrow because yesterday is now in the past.

• My military service provided me with knowledge that I truly can get through anything in life, and that knowledge is now reinforced by my relationship with God as well. Rarely is there a need to truly hit the panic button.

• One shot, one taken off the game board.

• Truth is stranger than fiction.

• Always be the hardest working person in the shop.

• Be willing to do anything you would ask someone else. If it’s beneath you, it’s beneath everyone else.

• Treat everyone with kindness and respect.

• Make your bed every morning!

• I don’t have to know everything, but I do have to know where to find it.

• No rules. No excuses. No regrets.

• Never mistake humor for a lack of intensity.

• Watch your back but, more importantly, watch out for your people.

• People only hear 10% of what you say. So repeat yourself 10 times.

• Mission, Men, Myself! It applies to life beyond the military!

• Hydrate or die.

• Just get it DONE! There’s no room or tolerance for failure!

• You are your habits.

• Details matter. Safety first.

• Respect others and remember we all bleed red!

• Listen and learn in life.

• Eat fast and get to work.

• Your body tricks you into quitting. Your mind is more powerful than your body. Don’t give up. Keep pushing forward.

• Only answer the question asked.

• Accountability and discipline!!

• In God we trust, all others we check.

• Never escalate an issue without a potential solution.

• Allow stress to drive your focus, not your emotion.

• Hope is not a plan.

• On a team, you are only as strong as your weakest link. Help them, don’t hurt them. OR If someone on the team shits their pants, we all wear a shitty diaper.

• When people say they can’t, 9 out of 10 are really saying they won’t.

• Respect the Rank, then go ask the Chief. (Meaning respect authority but also know who knows what they’re talking about)

• F*%# up. Own up. Move on.

• No matter how bad things are, it can always get worse, so take pleasure during good times.

• Keep your military bearing you were given in basic training and carry it with you through your life. You will out work and out discipline everyone around you.

• Lead, follow, or get out of the way.

• Protect your subordinates and they will make you look good, every time. Respect privacy, but know when something is wrong with your soldier. Personal relationships are invaluable. Be kind when warranted, and when force is necessary, be ruthless.

• I was taught to make a list of goals for myself every year. I started out slow but I’ve done it since I was 20. The things I have achieved are unbelievable!!

• Always believe in yourself.

• What the mind can conceive the body can achieve.

• Be a doer, not a watcher!

• Have integrity, show up early, be willing to put in the work when needed, and last but not least the only person that truly cares about you is yourself

• Can’t means won’t. Never give up.

• Discipline is mental, not physical.

• The seven P’s: Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

• Never get comfortable. Someone out there is trying to kill you.

• Remember no matter what you think you are replaceable and disposable.

• Take 5 breaths before you speak!

• Own it! If you did it, it’s yours.

• Leaders Eat Last.

• NAVY… Never Again Volunteer Yourself.

What an awesome list. As for the best advice I received, here’s a quick backstory. I was stationed at Little Creek Naval Base in Norfolk, VA. In 1997 I was awarded the Blue Jacket of the Year. For the ceremony, I was told that one of the top Naval officers was going to present it to me. It turns out that Admiral Douglas Katz was the officer.  On the day of the ceremony my chief tells me that Admiral Katz arrived early and wants to meet me first before giving me the award. During our meeting, he asked about me, my background and goals, then he gave me a life lesson that went something like this:

“Just remember, anyone can just say ‘no’ in life, but when leaders say ‘no’ they need to do it in a way that people will understand and accept. Nothing kills morale faster than when your people bring ideas and are simply told ‘no.’ Whether you stay in the Navy for life or opt for another profession, you will have to deal with people, you will have to lead people and people need guidance. Anyone can just say ‘no’ when asked something, be a leader and make sure your team understands and supports your decision.”  

Let me know what you think.