By: (P) SGT Lane, T., CAPM, Heavy Machine Guns, Master Trainer, A/1-16 CAV, Fort Moore, GA
So, I was “VOLUN-TOLD” by my boss that he had scheduled an online IT PMP training for me at the Army Education Center (AEC) on Moore. Our section needed a novice represent in shop just in case IT issues arose in response to any of the projects we had. As a Soldier, I rarely come across poor training courses, although I’ve certainly dealt with my fair share of dumb-a$$ course participants. That being said, let me take a moment to vent about a few FUBAR (F^(#ed Up Beyond All Recognition) mistakes I made during my journey into the IT field with a PMP focus.
FUBAR #1: Didn’t Perform a Safety Check.
As a reasonable person, I typically try not to waste my time, but I made the mistake of spending my valuable time on an educational course that didn’t match my understanding. After completing the IT PMP course, I realized the content didn’t align with how I processed information, and it didn’t help me achieve the expected results. This was a clear example of how failing to research whether the course was a good fit for my experience led me to make a poor decision before purchasing it.
The interesting thing would have been to do the research before my purchase. I could easily use Google or Yahoo to find the information I needed. From there, I would have understood whether or not I could use the course material where I worked. The moral of the story is, “Save money and research to see if what you desire is practical and aligns with your career pursuits.”
FUBAR #2: I Guess I’m the POG?
Although it wasn't my decision to enroll in this course, I rode the wave of my friends on how interesting and easy learning IT is without doing my due diligence in research. The NCOIC of my section explained that what I was doing for our section was beneficial and would help us to fulfill our mission. Where have I heard that before? As I started thinking about it, I realized this new knowledge could help me with my NCOER. The moral of the story: no matter how loudly someone praises the benefits of a program they signed you up for, if it isn't a fit for you, don't force yourself to participate.
FUBAR #3: Don’t Skip Lunch
If you're going to drive fast, at least know where you're going. My days at work were busy. 10-minute breaks, you take those in between phone calls. 1-hour lunch breaks, you ate lunch at your desk while you worked. So, I didn't have the time to do pre-course assignments like watching videos about IT. I'd be getting by with my current knowledge of IT without the pre-help. A 30- to 40-minute video would cut into my day. Little did I know my dragging a$$ attitude didn't help when I was sitting in class listening to the teacher talking about Iterative Development, SaaS, UX Design, etc. The frustrating thing was that I had all the time in the world to learn before the class, but I thought I could "wing it." Moral of the story: “When it’s time to do pre-work, do the pre-work” or risk looking like a dirt bag in front of your peers.
FUBAR #4: Not Asking for Help
Another mistake I made was not reaching out to my classmates for help with the course material and quizzes. The saying, "Pride goes before the fall," perfectly sums up why I struggled—my pride made me think asking for help was beneath me. I didn’t realize the value of working with people who understood the subject better, and in the end, I paid the price for not seeking help. I should’ve done more research to understand what I was getting into. Because of my own choices, I ended up wasting some of my time.
I’m not perfect. I did notice others struggling with the course material, just like me. Looking back, I really wish I had learned from my mistakes sooner.
FUBAR #5: Ignoring the Red Flags
If I were in the civilian world, I could've easily skipped this training unless saying no would cost me my job. But since I was "VOLUN-TOLD" to attend, backing out wasn't an option. Looking back, I missed the chance to learn and apply new skills that could've benefited my career. If I had gained that knowledge, I would've become a go-to person in my section. Now, I realize how much time I wasted on something I could have used more wisely.
FUBAR #6: Moving Like Pond Water
The biggest mistake I made was not taking advantage of the free tools available to me, like COOL (Credentialing Opportunities On-Line), the Army Voluntary Education Program, ArmyIgnitED, Army Distributed Learning, Army e-Learning, and the Army Training Information System (ATIS), to name a few.
When you become a Noncommissioned Officer (NCO), you might think it’s all about being a “self-made professional.” But the reality is much simpler—you’ve gotten to where you are with help from others: your team leader, squad leader, platoon sergeant, and 1st Sergeant, to name a few. Even though you’ve had to learn a lot quickly, it doesn’t mean you’re alone. Asking for help doesn’t make you any less of a professional. The support others offer can be a stepping-stone, not a roadblock, to your success.
The bottom line of my story is that I barely passed the course, even after getting a lot of help from my friends and educational counselors. I waited until three weeks into a six-week course to ask for help, which was a bad decision. I should’ve done my research and prepared before the course even started. I assumed my previous education and experience would be enough to get a good grade, but I was wrong. The lesson here: it wasn’t the wrong course; I didn’t invest enough in my education and didn’t prepare properly, which led to a less-than-ideal outcome.
