Whatever your endeavor, your goal, or your quest, you are bound to face obstacles before you succeed. It isn’t a question of if, but a question of when and how many. This is part of your journey and some would say it is part of the game. Your personal growth comes from the adversity and the struggle, and your attitude determines the type of journey you will have. You can choose to be frustrated and distressed or you can choose to see your obstacles as an endowment to your advancement. You must believe that the obstacles or hurdles along your path are there for your benefit.
During the first six and a half years of my Army career I went through the enlisted ranks from Private through Staff Sergeant. These were five levels of promotion that I had to earn. I had to demonstrate, through performance, that I was capable of assuming the responsibilities of the next rank. In the eyes of my superiors these were rites of passage.
When I was a Staff Sergeant, I felt that I should follow a different path, so I applied for Officer’s Candidate School. I knew what I wanted and I had a detailed picture of every step. I wanted to be an Infantry Officer; I wanted to have as assignment overseas and not stateside; I wanted an assignment to a select airborne unit in Vicenza Italy; I wanted my first duty position to be that of a Platoon Leader. It was enlightening experience of sorts because I hadn’t been taught how to visualize my goals or how to use my imagination. I somehow just knew that it would all work out. Here are the hurdles that I had to overcome:
- Pass the written test and personal interview by a senior officer.
- Get accepted by a review board that looked at my military record, test scores and recommendation by the senior officer.
- Pass Officer’s Candidate School and receive a Commission as a Second Lieutenant.
- Convince the Infantry Officer’s Branch (there are sixteen officer branches) representative that he should select me.
- Once I was selected for Infantry Branch, I had to complete the demanding Infantry Officer’s Basic Course.
- After completing the basic course, I had to convince the assignments officer of Infantry Branch to assign me to the Southern European Task Force in Italy.
- I had to convince the personnel officer at the airborne unit in Vicenza, Italy that he should ask for me to be assigned to his unit.
There were other intermediate steps and actions but you get the point. This was a very desirable assignment that a lot of officer’s wanted as well. There was a lot of competition. But I just knew it would all work out. I had no doubts and the thought of not being in that unit ever crossed my mind. I was at peace with myself through each step and each obstacle that I had to overcome.
That assignment became the most fulfilling experience of my Army career as well as for my family. In addition to being a member of a select organization, I traveled to Germany, Spain, Turkey, Yugoslavia, France, Switzerland, and Austria.
When you really desire something, have passion for it, and are willing to do whatever it takes to have it, here are some point to remember:
- Keep movement going in the right direction with action.
- Don’t wait for permission or for the right time, the time is now.
- Find people and solutions for each of your obstacles and communicate often.
- See yourself already in possession of your desire or goal.
- Don’t listen to naysayers or doubters.
- Find an advocate or a mentor who has been there and get their insight
These are just a few insights that I can share with you that will get you past obstacles and hurdles and propel you toward achieving what you want.
Sincerely,
Leo