Op-ed: Command Sgt. Maj. Donna Brock is the Army's longest serving female enlisted soldier. A career combat medic, she retired from the service in October as command sergeant major of Army Medical Command. She was also senior enlisted adviser to the Army surgeon general.
In 1979, I decided to focus on something different, so I joined the Army. Now, in 2014, 35 years later, I salute the flag for the last time in uniform.
You may be like I was — serving in the military for three or four years with the full intention of getting out, maybe going to college, or doing something else at the end of the enlistment. Well, that didn't happen for me. I decided to re-enlist and, ultimately, the Army became a career for me and my family. One might ask, why? Well, because the Army worked for me, and sharing my experience may also help shape your future in the Army.
The Army is a great organization to be a part of. It's "what you make it." I matured into the woman that I am today while serving our nation. I had many mentors and leaders that guided the way. There were many challenges I faced, as all soldiers do. And the challenges soldiers face today are very complicated. Critical events with significant national implications are occurring throughout the world: Iraq, the Islamic State group, Russia, North Korea, Afghanistan, and Ebola, to name a few.
I would advise today's soldiers to seriously think about what it is they want to accomplish while serving. You also have to be open-minded when it comes to change.
Needless to say, after 35 years, I've seen a lot of change! To the soldiers in the Army today, I'd like to share some advice:
■ Be yourself and don't change, unless it's for the betterment of you and those around you. People say you come in the Army and the Army changes you. This is so untrue. Most people who come in are looking for something much bigger than themselves. The Army just takes what you already have and brings out the best in you. You are the only one who can change you — whether it's your goals, your attitude, or to refresh the values you grew up with.
■ Don't expect to be pampered or given everything on a silver platter. Soldiers are expected to give their best and do their job. But, sometimes you think that you should be given an easier ride toward promotion just because you are deemed "great." Work hard and earn your promotions and/or accolades. Seek the hard and challenging jobs. This shows that you are willing to work hard, and your just due will come.
■ You must have the right attitude to be successful. Stay away from negativity and negative people. Both of them will hold you down. Seek out positive people, and try to see the valuable lesson in any given situation. You can learn from your mistakes. Just try not to repeat them.
■ Treat others as you want to be treated. This is such an old saying, but it's as true today as it was yesteryear. Bottom line is that as a young soldier, you react to your leadership. Respect goes both ways; it's mutual. But if you are disrespected or don't like the way you were treated, express yourself to someone who can make a difference. Learn from this and know this is a lesson of what not to do as a future leader. Respect is earned, it's not a given.
There are so many lessons I have learned during my career, but this is just a slice. I've had a long, happy Army career! Sure, there have been some challenges, but I feel that every challenge helped build and strengthen my character. There is nothing I would change except for the tragic loss of stellar soldiers along the way.
My parting advice to all soldiers is: Always remember what is ultimately important: family, security, health, spirituality and happiness. You can achieve all, but ultimately it comes down to you, and whatever you do, "be true to yourself."
All the best from an 'Ole Soldier.'
