By: Cadet Robbins, G., USMA (Class of 2026)
Every Soldier Can Be an Excellent Soldier—Here's How
Becoming a top-tier Soldier—whether you're in training at West Point, leading a fire team, or preparing for command—takes more than raw intelligence or brute strength. It's about discipline, consistency, and continuous self-improvement. Just like no Soldier starts out knowing everything, no leader becomes great overnight. However, with the right mindset and methods, every Soldier has the potential to excel—not just in the field but also in the classroom, the briefing room, and beyond.
Here are 11 mission-ready habits that can help you become an outstanding Soldier—mentally, professionally, and personally.
1. Build Strong Rapport with Instructors and Leadership — Think of your instructors and cadre the same way you'd think about your senior NCOs and officers in a unit—people whose mission is to develop you. Build mutual respect. When you demonstrate professionalism, initiative, and a good attitude, you earn their trust. That trust can be the difference between getting clear guidance and being left in the dark during gray-area situations. You're not looking for favoritism—you're building professional relationships that foster growth and development.
2. Always Complete Assigned Work—Without Excuses — Assignments, briefs, or reading tasks are not "busy work"—they're preparation for the real world. Consistently completing your work builds both knowledge and credibility. Soldiers who consistently submit clean and complete work on time become the go-to individuals for leadership. That reputation matters. Show that you take your duties seriously, whether it's prepping a presentation or conducting a terrain analysis.
3. Stay Engaged in the Learning Process — Passive Soldiers don't get promoted. Active engagement means showing up mentally, not just physically. Ask questions, challenge ideas (respectfully), and stay dialed in during classes, field training, or mentorship sessions. Engaged Soldiers show hunger for knowledge—and that mindset separates leaders from the pack.
4. Seek Out Extra Learning Opportunities — Strong Soldiers don't wait for formal training—they go looking for it. Take advantage of extra instruction, mentorship sessions, or electives to further enhance your learning experience. Just like Soldiers attend schools like Airborne or Air Assault to gain an edge, additional study sessions or projects help you sharpen your intellectual tools. The fewer distractions and smaller group sizes also help you ask questions you might hold back in larger settings.
5. Be Well-Rounded, Not Just Tactical — The best Soldiers are versatile. Sure, you need to be sharp on tactics and doctrine—but also understand leadership, history, logistics, physical readiness, and even cultural awareness. Dive into books, stay current on global affairs, and build hobbies that build discipline. Whether it's learning about military tech, global strategy, or financial literacy, every skill adds to your toolkit as a future leader.
6. Take Initiative in Unit or Academy Life — Want to stand out? Be the person who steps up—whether it's organizing a squad run, helping plan a field event, or taking a leadership role in an extracurricular. Leadership notices. Being involved demonstrates a commitment to the mission that extends beyond your own performance. Soldiers who invest in the community around them earn both trust and influence.
7. Maintain a Positive, Professional Attitude — You don't need to be the loudest in the room, but your energy matters. Soldiers who carry themselves with positivity, maturity, and humility bring up the entire team. Leaders are drawn to that. When you're facing stress, deadlines, or physical strain, a positive mindset doesn't just boost you—it uplifts your whole formation.
8. Be Punctual—Always — Time is mission-critical. Whether it's a formation, a deadline, or a meeting, being on time demonstrates reliability and discipline—a Soldier who is late signals that they're not mission-focused. Earn the trust of your teammates and leadership by demonstrating that you respect time—both yours and theirs.
9. Develop a Reputation for Responsibility — Want to lead others? Prove you can lead yourself. When you're given a task, handle it without being chased. If something slips, own it. Responsible Soldiers become reliable team leaders, squad leaders, and future officers. Be the person who can be counted on, even when no one is watching.
10. Work on Your Communication Skills — In the Army, the ability to communicate clearly can be the difference between mission success and failure. Whether you're writing an op order, briefing a concept, or explaining your thinking during a sand table exercise—speak with clarity and confidence. Don't just know your stuff—be able to explain it. Practice building your voice, both in writing and speaking.
11. Sharpen Your Attention to Detail — One missed detail can blow a mission—or a test, a report, or a brief. Attention to detail separates the average Soldier from the exceptional one. Train yourself to check your work, re-read orders, confirm data, and notice inconsistencies. Being detail-oriented isn't about being perfect—it's about being deliberate and thorough in your approach.
Final Thoughts: Excellence Is a Habit, Not a Talent
No one becomes a great Soldier by accident. It's the result of small, daily decisions—showing up prepared, staying engaged, owning your responsibilities, and striving to be better. Whether you're on a ruck march, in a leadership lab, or working through a paper at midnight, these habits will compound into long-term excellence.
At West Point or anywhere in the Army, you're not just learning to complete tasks—you're learning to lead others. And the habits you build now will shape the leader you become later.
