I received my commission in May 1991, after Desert Storm had wrapped up, and when I took over my platoon at Ft. Riley a few months later, I was the only one in the platoon not wearing a combat patch. The way I looked at it, I had a wealth of experience to draw upon and learn from. It forced me to prove myself to my troops and in the end, it made me a better soldier and a better officer.
Of course it did. It also revealed quickly who you could go to for real world advice.
Can’t have that...
“The way I looked at it, I had a wealth of experience to draw upon and learn from.”
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And that’s exactly what any smart “manager” does.
Good for you.
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When I returned from Viet Nam I had two rows of ribbons. My CO and Platoon leaders had just the National Defense ribbon. I taught them a lot on field exercises.