Journal 2

Reflective Journal

Name

Institutional Affiliation

Reflective Journal

1. Current Self: Key Competencies and Accomplishments

As a First Sergeant in the United States Army, I have managed to realize various accomplishments and competencies. For instance, during the period that I served as an Operation Sergeant I presided over the task of disseminating intelligence information to subordinate units and other concerned government bodies. Thus, I received the 28th Infantry Division unit award for the important role that I played in providing key analytical contributions to the intelligence evaluations and quality control for the troop’s intelligence summary. In addition, I took the lead in various operations meant at wiping out terrorist groups and establishments in the Northern part of Iraq. In the process, I distinguished myself through the efforts and steps that I took to make sure that my troops effectively maneuvered through the enemy’s landscape in a timely fashion. I also performed my duties excellently to ensure that national and organic assets were well coordinated and to offer up to date data to my field forces as we moved across the enemy’s landscape.

Prior to my retirement, I received commendations from many leaders for the exceptional performance when I showcased my situational problem-solving and analytical capabilities, professionalism, as well as integrity in all situations during operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. On top of that, I have gained expertise in sticking to safety standards and policies that have been established in the Department of the Army Safety Manual. For that reason, I was lauded as one of the sergeants whose forces reported minimal accidents and safety problems while in operations. Apart from these skills, I am a competent diplomat. I hold the view that the concept of diplomacy is in line with the need to collaborate and encourage participation of various key parties involved in coming up with and implementing the operational processes ahead of fruitful completions.

2. Emerging Self

Being a retired sergeant, I envision myself in a situation where I will be mentoring others to improve their talents and capabilities in the military. This requires communication skills, which I have not fully developed. Discovering authentic leadership needs devotion to developing oneself (George et al. 2007). My interest in improving my communication skills rests in the fact that I am likely to actively take part in activities that require a lot of public speaking. This is because I have received many invitations from my former military units to provide mentoring lessons to upcoming sergeants. Therefore, I am looking forward to becoming a good orator. I hold the view that the key to improving one’s skills is to actively practice consistently. In the same vein, I look forward to practice the art of public speaking. One of the ways that I intend to go about this challenging task is to take the opportunity to express myself in the best way that I can every time that I am granted with this opportunity to deliver a speech before a large crowd or group.

3. The Crack

News of my sudden retirement after many years of service came with shock and excitement in equal measure. I felt as though I was shifting from high experience and active service to an unimagined life of rest with nothing to do. In the process, I was able to sit down and recollect myself on what I could do with the remaining period of my life outside active service. It was from this experience that I rediscover my ability to conduct research and develop policy recommendations on how to improve talent and leadership skills in the military. This is because I believe in resonant leadership that supports others by creating a positive work environment (Boomer, 2013). Today, I engage in motivational speaking and researches on effective ways of improving the efficiency and performance of extraordinary men and women in uniform.

References

Boomer, L. (2013). Are you a resonant leader? Emotional intelligence isn’t just feel-good stuff.

It’s about the bottomline. Landscape Management, (8), 24.

George, B., Sims, P., McLean, A. N., & Mayer, D. (2007). Discovering your authentic

leadership. Harvard business review, 85(2), 129.