I first met CSM Evans in 2004 when I was a young specialist while stationed in Japan. My initial thoughts on CSM Evans was he is well dressed and groomed, soft spoken, small in stature, and very personable. In addition, I observed that many soldiers and NCOs …show more content…
I witnessed him on numerous occasions influencing soldiers to do their best at physical training and on the Army physical fitness test. According to ADRP 6-22 (2012), “Influence refers to how people create and relay their messages, behaviors, and attitudes to affect the intentions, beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes of another person or group of people” (p. 6-2). This is exactly what CSM Evans did on a daily basis and influenced me on a number of occasions. One instance occurred in late 2004 when CSM Evans asked me why I did not want to go to the promotion board. I stated to him that I did not think I was ready and I was happy being a specialist. Throughout our two-hour conversation, CSM Evans did not try force me to go to the promotion board but rather influenced me to go. He changed my way of thinking and attitude towards wanting to better myself as soon as possible. I found myself in a similar situation about 9 months ago, when my soldier displayed behaviors that showed he no longer cared about continuing his career in the Army. Just like CSM Evans did to me back in 2004, I sat my soldier down and had a calm discussion with him. I went into the counseling not wanting to be negative but to show the positives of being in the Army. He was a good soldier who worked hard but just needed to relook how he spent his off time and decide whether the Army was for him. He has not had any trouble since our conversation and thanked me for having the discussion with