Front-Line Leadership

CHAPTER 4Continuous Improvement

In early 2005 our unit was preparing to deploy to Afghanistan. I knew that I was going to have a big decision to make while on this deployment because my initial enlistment contract with the Army was nearing its end. I could choose to get out of the Army after this deployment and pursue a new challenge in the civilian world or I could reenlist and stay in the Army for a few more years. I knew that I needed to focus on the upcoming deployment, but I would be lying if I said this decision did not weigh heavily on my mind. If I chose to reenlist, there were a few different options that were available to me, including changing jobs, applying for flight school, or even trying out for the Army Special Forces.

I was 22 years old at this time and a newly promoted sergeant. I had been promoted ahead of all of my peers, and my responsibilities during this deployment would be different than when I was a lower enlisted soldier in Iraq. In the section “Committing to Your Path” in Chapter 1, I mentioned some advice that served me well early on in my military career: “Do what you're told, do what you're told, do what you're damn well told.” I was proud of what I had accomplished thus far but I knew that mantra would not take me to where I wanted to be. Honestly, I was not quite sure exactly what that was, but a desire was stirring inside of me that told me I could not just rest on my laurels. Whether I was going to stay in the Army or get out, I needed to continue ...