What are the best ways to further your army career?

Hay LT! I am a retired Army NCO (since 2006) and I feel the best ways to further your Army career is to stay motivated about the Army at all times. Take all that training you received and put it to good use; become the very best within your job specialty. Never allow other's to negetively influence you to try and sway you away from what you love to do. Never stop learning, listen to other's who want to teach you the right way to do things. Think out of the box as a leader, don't try to emulate other's all the time; develop your own unique leadership style that is effective and works for and with your soldiers. Get out there and accept addtional responsibility when it presents itself. And finally, don't be so serious all of the time, have fun and enjoy what you do.