Should I stay as the squad leader in my ROTC class?

Question

In my ROTC class they chose me to become squad leader and I have to tell the people in my squad my commands(nothing bad if you know what this part is in the class)and I have to make sure that their uniforms are good on inspection day and I lead in front of the platoon. For some reason my sister and some other people brought my confidence down and doing things like this make me feel like I don't deserve this spot because I don't feel good about myself. The leader and some other people tell me good things about that spot and about myself so I will be able to do it. I'm can't make my mind up if I want to do it or not. I need to be sure by tomorrow 2nd period. How can I bring my confidence up so I can be able to make my mind up and do this job? They tell me I'm good but I just don't feel that I am. I think I may do it because I don't care about what the negative people say about me,it doesn't mean anything. So should I be the squad leader? I need somebody to help me make up my mind and help me bring my confidence up more than it is now. Somebody please tell me everything I need to know!!!

Answer 1

Go look in a mirror. See that girl? That's the one person in this world you have to try to make happy. Friends, relatives, loved ones, kibitzers like me... they all come and go in your life. That girl in the mirror... she's there for the duration.

You have accomplished something those people who are bashing you... trying to drag you down... didn't accomplish, and probably couldn't handle. You have the support of your classmates. During second period, they're your family. They wouldn't have selected you if they didn't trust you and your ability. During second period, they're the ones whose support counts.

When I enlisted in the Navy with a Bachelors degree, people gave me a hard time because I didn't use the degree to get into an officer program. Then they gave me a hard time when I selected my specialty -- or when it selected me. Then they gave me a hard time when I accepted a recommendation to OCS instead of extending for my E-6 -- remember how they bashed me for not going officer in the first place? Then they bashed me for making the military a career. Some bashed me for being in the military at all. Then I got a bad time for retiring at 45 instead of waiting.

When I retired, I got two more degrees pretty much on the GI Bill. Then I started a second career as a management consultant. I got the job because of my military career, my recent security clearance, my education, and my management skills. For 12 years I managed all their projects on the West Coast. I retired from that company with a very nice retirement package. Today I do pretty much as I please.

If you're worried about making a mistake, you're going to. You're human. But as long as you do your best and try your hardest, and make the best decisions you know how to make, that girl in the mirror will know. Take a good look every once in a while. She's going to get older. She may get a few lines in her face... maybe some gray hair, When you look in the mirror, if she's smiling back -- most of the time -- then you're doing ok.

Today I woke up at 6:00. I walked a mile or two, spent an hour in the gym, ate a light breakfast, came back to my room and worked on the computer for a while, spent a couple hours at the pool, ran an errand, drank my Ensure for lunch, read a while, and got back on the computer. It's all free because I'm retired military. I can fly just about anywhere in the world for free. I have absolutely no medical or dental expenses.

A lot of guys my age are working in those  500 square-foot, glassed in offices way up in those tall office buildings. They're working 50-60 hours a week. While they were taking their medicine for their ulcers, I was on my way to the pool.

When I look in the mirror, that old goat doesn't smile much anymore. He grins. :-D

Answer 2

Sounds like you are in Jr ROTC. Your sister and the others are getting bend out of shape because someone else has found you to have good leadership skills. Smile at them, give them the "L" sign (losers) and have some confidence in yourself.

Answer 3

Alright, first off let me share the 18, 40, 60 rule with you. Its something that I read and learned in one of my Masters Degree Classes.

“When you’re 18, you worry about what everybody is thinking of you. When you’re 40 you learn not to worry what others think. When you’re 60 you recognize that nobody’s been thinking about you at all. They’re worrying about themselves.”

So just go to the 60 rule, they, your sister and friends dont really care, maybe they are jeolous because they wanted to become Squad Leader. Just do it, you were chosen cause someone seen leadership potential in you.

When your in a leadership position, lead by example.

http://www.army.mil/usapa/epubs/pdf/r600...

read the info in the above link.