Timothy Eagleson, former Army Lieutenant, reflects on the characteristics that are prerequisites for serving one’s country.

TOLLAND, CT, UNITED STATES, July 20, 2021 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Do you have what it takes to succeed in the United States Armed Forces? Not everyone is cut out for military service, of course. On top of grueling physical demands, potential soldiers must exhibit certain personality traits that will enable them to become part of a team and to make any sacrifice that is asked of them, often at a moment’s notice. They may spend months at a time away from their families, and most positions aren’t even particularly well-paid; members of the military must have an intrinsic motivation to do their best rather than relying on tangible rewards. Yet almost to a man, former service members express gratitude and pride at having made the military their career, even if only for a short time.

Timothy Eagleson, former Army Lieutenant, knows first-hand how difficult a transition from civilian life to military life can be. We asked him to reflect on the characteristics that are prerequisites for serving one’s country.

1. Grit

What exactly is grit? According to Angela Duckworth, a psychologist who studied and written about this elusive quality, grit is “passion and perseverance for the long term, meaningful goals.” You can think of it as a kind of mental and emotional stamina. Everyone understands that a service member has to develop incredible physical stamina, but Timothy Eagleson would argue that grit is just as important.

Is perseverance the same as grit? The two are similar but not synonymous. It’s possible to persevere without having that emotional investment or passionate dedication. To be gritty, you must be 100% committed to achieving your goals and willing to bounce back, time and again, from failure.

2. Communication Skills

Naturally, communication skills are valuable for every profession and every walk of life, but in the armed forces, they become paramount to success. Moreover, Timothy Eagleson emphasizes, military culture demands a wide variety of communication skills as well as the ability to choose the right one for every occasion. Hollering at a recruit during boot camp — or a recruit hollering right-back — is one form. But it’s equally important to exhibit tact and diplomacy. In the heat of combat, you’ll need to convey volumes to your comrades-in-arms with just a few words, or sometimes with just a gesture or expression.

3. Problem Solving

As a new recruit, you might not be called on that often to use your problem-solving skills. At least initially, your only responsibility is to obey your superiors by doing what you are told when you are told. In fact, your own initiative can actually get in the way and cause you to screw up.
However, in order to develop a successful military career and to advance within the ranks, you will need to demonstrate the ability to act quickly but thoughtfully under pressure, to find creative solutions when there doesn’t seem to be any way out of a situation, and to MacGuyver yourself and your compatriots out of trouble.

4. Adaptability

It’s no secret that military life — your location, your duties, your understanding of a mission — is subject to change with little notice. That’s just the way it is, and the sooner you accept that, explains Timothy Eagleson, the better a soldier you’ll be.
You have no doubt heard the Marines’ slogan “Improvise, Adapt, and Overcome,” but this mindset will serve you well no matter what branch you’re in. The military is no place for those who are stubborn, stuck in their ways, or sticklers for sameness.

Caroline Hunter
Web Presence, LLC
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