I was able to attend and graduate from Air Assault, Master Fitness Trainer, Army Reconnaissance Course, and Bradley Master Gunner School. I am also a graduate of the Drill Sergeant School and am currently working in this position. Lessons Learned I was successful in the military for several reasons. The first being the leaders for whom and with whom I had the opportunity to work. I have been able to work with a wide variety of personalities and leadership styles that I have been able to adapt to. I definitely had a few soldiers who really tested my patience and creativity as a mentor. Ultimately, I have been positively influenced by superiors, peers and subordinates and hope to have had a positive impact on my Soldiers. I was failing in civilian life because of my own misdeeds. I let the impact of things I couldn't control affect the way I saw the world. I would even give up something I really wanted in life just because someone else didn't want it for me. We only have one chance to live. It is unfair to ask and expect someone to live their life according to the expectations of others. I learned that making a mistake today doesn't make you a failure for the rest of your life..