--- title: What’s the First Thing You Learn in the Army? description: Learning to make a bed with military precision taught me a few things about how much the little things matter. In business this becomes criteria by which we're measured. image: https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/2017%20Blog/Veteran/Bobby%20Herrera%20Army%20Photo.jpg --- [![PopulusGroup_Plane_Logo_rgb-01](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PG%20Registered%20Logos/PopulusGroup_Plane_Logo_rgb-01.png?width=1966&height=1530&name=PopulusGroup_Plane_Logo_rgb-01.png "PopulusGroup_Plane_Logo_rgb-01")](https://www.populusgroup.com/en) - [Employers](https://www.populusgroup.com/en/workforce-solutions) - [Careers](https://www.populusgroup.com/en/job-seeker) - [Contractors](https://www.populusgroup.com/en/contractor-resources) - [Blog](https://blog.populusgroup.com) - [About](https://www.populusgroup.com/en/about) - [Impact](https://www.populusgroup.com/en/impact) - [Work With Us](https://www.populusgroup.com/en/contact) [The PG Blog](https://blog.populusgroup.com) Search Search this site on Google Search Google Subscribe ### Subscribe to Email Updates Select Category - [Industry (52)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/industry) - [Diversity (44)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/diversity) - [Climber Stories (31)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/climber-stories) - [Community (28)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/community) - [Foreign National Talent Management (26)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/foreign-national-talent-management) - [Compliance (25)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/compliance) - [Leadership (25)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/leadership) - [Staffing and Recruiting (24)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/staffing-and-recruiting) - [Contingent Workforce Trends (21)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/contingent-workforce-trends) - [Careers (16)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/careers) - [Military Veterans (15)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/military-veterans) - [Legislation (13)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/legislation) - [Independent Contractor Compliance (ICC) (12)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/independent-contractor-compliance-icc) - [Personal Development (12)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/personal-development) - [Professional Development (10)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/professional-development) - [Company Culture (9)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/company-culture) - [PG Celebrates (8)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/pg-celebrates) - [Managed Service Provider (MSP) (7)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/managed-service-provider-msp) - [Mental Health (5)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/mental-health) - [Pay It Forward (5)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/pay-it-forward) - [Payroll Services (5)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/payroll-services) - [Sustainability (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/sustainability) - [AI (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/ai) - [Contractor Experience (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/contractor-experience) Select Author - [Populus Group (70)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/populus-group) - [Bobby Herrera (34)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/bobby-herrera) - [Whitney Barton (25)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/whitney-barton) - [Samantha Heilman (15)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/samantha-heilman) - [Brandon Wischmeyer (14)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/brandon-wischmeyer) - [Cynthia Waddell (10)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/cynthia-waddell) - [Ejay Oravecz (8)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/ejay-oravecz) - [Austin McCool (8)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/austin-mccool) - [Jen Pasquier (6)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/jen-pasquier) - [Jackie McCool (6)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/jackie-mccool) - [Brandon Byrd (5)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/brandon-byrd) - [Tom Mehl (5)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/tom-mehl) - [Briana Walker and Kristine Baker (4)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/briana-walker-and-kristine) - [Sebastian Puravet (4)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/sebastian-puravet) - [Jaylynn Hogeboom (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/jaylynn-hogeboom) - [Kathryn Crimmins (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/kathryn-crimmins) - [Danielle Hein (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/danielle-hein) - [Taniesha Thomas & Tiasha Holcomb (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/tanisha-thomas-tiasha-holcomb) - [Raul Ramos (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/raul-ramos) - [Donna Morris (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/donna-morris) - [DE&I Council (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/diversity-inclusion-council) - [Rosemarie Fontela (3)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/rosemarie-fontela) - [Brooke Stovall (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/brooke-stovall) - [Eric Schmitz (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/eric-schmitz) - [Jessica Bitell (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/jessica-bitell) - [Kyle Heilman (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/kyle-heilman) - [Mario L. Lambert II (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/mario-l-lambert-ii) - [Dr. Jenna Rowen (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/dr-jenna-rowen) - [Liz Waters (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/liz-waters) - [Maxwell Barry (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/maxwell-barry) - [Megan Mallie (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/megan-mallie) - [Taniesha Thomas (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/taniesha-thomas) - [Derek Kimmerle (2)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/derek-kimmerle) - [Shelby Gerschick (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/shelby-gerschick) - [Jennifer Stevens (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/jennifer-stevens) - [Leah Koskinen (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/leah-koskinen) - [Alyse Nilson (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/alyse-nilson) - [Jen Colburn (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/jen-colburn) - [Jim Mann (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/jim-mann) - [Ejay Oravecz & Austin McCool (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/ejay-oravecz-austin-mccool) - [Joy Goberville (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/joy-goberville) - [Bismah Khan (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/bismah-khan) - [Irene Lawrence (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/irene-lawrence) - [Ron Lippitt (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/ron-lippitt) - [Andrea Pulkkinen (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/andrea-pulkkinen) - [Ed Herrera (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/ed-herrera) - [Pride Alliance ERG (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/pride-alliance-erg) - [Joanna Esparza (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/joanna-esparza) - [Nicole Stevens-Delgado (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/nicole-stevens-delgado) - [Billy Alfonsi (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/billy-alfonsi) - [Brandon Bates (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/brandon-bates) - [Judy Yang (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/judy-yang) - [Pamela Warchuck (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/pamela-warchuck) - [Rosemarie Fontela & Denis Kenny (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/rosemarie-fontela-denis-kenny) - [Brookie Clark (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/brookie-clark) - [Darwin Morgan (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/darwin-morgan) - [Bunker Labs (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/bunker-labs) - [Joy Bartolome (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/joy-bartolome) - [Josh Hauser (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/josh-hauser) - [Karen Philbrick (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/karen-philbrick) - [Helen Konrad (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/helen-konrad) - [Michelle Nyhart & Ejay Oravecz (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/michelle-nyhart-ejay-oravecz) - [The Cultures Connected ERG (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/cultures-connected-erg) - [Derrick Workman (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/derrick-workman) - [Frank DeCastro (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/frank-decastro) - [Tim Zeches (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/tim-zeches) - [Izabela Miklas (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/izabela-miklas) - [Justin Stewart (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/justin-stewart) - [Stephanie DeStefanis (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/stephanie-destefanis) - [Dominic Charleston (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/dominic-charleston) - [Cheryl Longo (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/cheryl-longo) - [Dorian Cast (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/dorian-cast) - [Sydnie Chy (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/sydnie-chy) - [Josh Schreck (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/josh-schreck) - [Jacob Houston (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/jacob-houston) - [Jillian Seidl (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/jillian-seidl) - [Matt King (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/matt-king) - [Marcella Cheng (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/marcella-cheng) - [David Kaggwa (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/david-kaggwa) - [Lance Schroder (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/lance-schroder) - [Stephanie Hill (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/stephanie-hill) - [Megan Anderson (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/megan-anderson) - [Michelle Fedorkiw (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/michelle-fedorkiw) - [Kimberly Mills (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/kimberly-mills) - [Denis Kenny (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/denis-kenny) - [Tim Wang (1)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/tim-wang) # What’s the First Thing You Learn in the Army? [![Bobby Herrera](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Bobby%20Headshot.png)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/bobby-herrera) - [![](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hubfs/322350/PG_blog_images/pgblog-icon-linkedin.jpg)](https://www.linkedin.com/pub/bobby-herrera/1/182/578) [by Bobby Herrera](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/bobby-herrera) **Like most Soldiers, my first day in the military is forever etched in my brain.** I was scared to death and wondering if I made the right choice. I also knew it was too late. My shaved head and a screaming Drill Sergeant were vivid reminders of that reality. ![Bobby Herrera Army Photo.jpg](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hs-fs/hubfs/2017%20Blog/Veteran/Bobby%20Herrera%20Army%20Photo.jpg?width=275&name=Bobby%20Herrera%20Army%20Photo.jpg)Our Platoon Drill Sergeant picked us up at the receiving station. Next was a dramatic ride to our barracks in a “cattle truck” used to transport Soldiers. **What ensued the next few hours was a combination of scenes from military movies and elaborate stories** Veterans share about their first day. Drill Sergeant screamed while we struggled to keep our stuff together. We were a bunch of disorganized misfits and we did pushups and physical exercise till our bodies gave out. We couldn’t get anything right. This went on for hours as he led us towards our new home for the next 2 months.  **The chaos finally settled but tensions were high when our other Drill Sergeant makes his grand entrance.** We stand at parade rest, (ask a Vet what this means), as he yells instructions and shows us how to make our beds. Once he showed us how to pull the sheets tight, fold and tuck the corners, fold our blanket at the base, then center the pillow perfectly at the top he yells: “If I can’t bounce a coin on your bed I’m throwing all your $%&# off the balcony and you’ll all be up all night showing me you’re not as dumb as you look!” We’re frozen in complete silence when he yells; “Go! You have 2 minutes before I pull a coin out of my pocket!” The next few hours sucked as countless mattresses and beds were flipped and thrown off the 3rd floor of our barracks. **The first evening madness stops around midnight after countless failed attempts at making our beds.** I’m certain nobody actually passed the coin test but no doubt we all got the message. When 4:30 am came around the next day we all knew the first thing we had to do – make our beds. Why is that the first thing Soldiers learn in the military? What in the world does that have to do with being a Soldier? Admiral McRaven said it best in his commencement speech to graduating UT Seniors in 2014: “The reason it’s the first thing we teach in the military is because we want Soldiers to know that the little things matter.”  You see, in the military if a Soldier doesn’t do the little things, other Soldiers die. It’s an exaggerated example but wouldn’t you agree that doing the little things builds trust? Our lives are a sum of little things with a few big things added in over time. I tell this story because we know our customers are intentionally or subconsciously using this as a primary criteria when selecting a partner to help them. We encourage it. We know they want a Guide that not only cares about the little things but does them repeatedly. At PG, the equivalent of “making our bed” is listening and doing exactly what we say we’re going to do. We know It isn’t about us – it’s about them and the transformation they’re pursuing.  [![Don't miss out--Subscribe for weekly updates](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/450029/e3037e73-d7fa-43f2-b8ce-9692ea561ee0.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/450029/e3037e73-d7fa-43f2-b8ce-9692ea561ee0) ## If you enjoyed this post, you may also like: [What Veterans Do Better Than Anyone](https://blog.populusgroup.com/what-veterans-do-better-than-anyone) [Are You the Hero or the Guide?](https://blog.populusgroup.com/are-you-the-hero-or-the-guide) [Celebrating a New Veteran Story This 4th of July](https://blog.populusgroup.com/celebrating-a-new-veteran-story-this-4th-of-july) ## Leave a comment [![Bobby Herrera](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Bobby%20Headshot.png)](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/bobby-herrera) Written by [Bobby Herrera](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/bobby-herrera) I believe everyone deserves an opportunity to succeed. I’m responsible for the overall direction of Populus Group. My job is simple; fiercely protect and enhance our company culture and make sure my team has everything they need to build trust with the great Climbers at PG and the customers that trust us to guide them. I’m grateful for the countless opportunities I've had to make mistakes and grow from them. I believe my responsibility is to pay that gift forward. Above all, Team One is my priority and my kids absolutely own me. I'm a proud Army Veteran, I love the mountains, and I’m blessed to live in Portland, OR. ### Related posts ###### [Military Veterans](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/military-veterans), [Leadership](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/leadership) [Why NVBDC and Veterans Matter to Populus Group](https://blog.populusgroup.com/why-nvbdc-matters-to-populus-group-honoring-service-elevating-veteran-owned-businesses-and-strengthening-community) [![Populus Group](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/PG.png) Populus Group](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/populus-group) ###### [Military Veterans](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/military-veterans), [Leadership](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/leadership) [How Employers Can Be the Partner of Choice to Veterans](https://blog.populusgroup.com/how-employers-can-be-the-partner-of-choice-to-veterans) [![Ejay Oravecz](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Ejay%20Oravecz.png) Ejay Oravecz](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/ejay-oravecz) ###### [Military Veterans](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/military-veterans), [Leadership](https://blog.populusgroup.com/topic/leadership) [Community at its Core: 3 Ways Veteran-Owned Businesses Make an Impact](https://blog.populusgroup.com/impact-of-veteran-owned-businesses) [![Ejay Oravecz](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Ejay%20Oravecz.png) Ejay Oravecz](https://blog.populusgroup.com/author/ejay-oravecz) **Corporate Headquarters** Populus Group, Troy Headquarters 3001 West Big Beaver Road Suite 608 Troy, MI 48084 [248-712-7900](tel:248-712-7900) [opportunities@populusgroup.com](mailto:opportunities@populusgroup.com) **Employment Verification Requests\*** [248-928-0530](tel:248-928-0530) [voe@populusgroup.com](mailto:voe@populusgroup.com) [Employer Services](http://www.populusgroup.com/en/workforce-solutions)[Begin Your Job Search](http://www.populusgroup.com/en/job-seeker) ©2023 Populus Group [Privacy Policy](http://www.populusgroup.com/en/privacy-policy)[Terms & Conditions](http://www.populusgroup.com/en/terms-conditions)[Site Map](http://www.populusgroup.com/en/sitemap) [![](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Images/blog/icon-social-fb%20png.png?h=28&la=en&w=28)](https://www.facebook.com/populusgroup) [![](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Images/blog/icon-social-twitter%20png.png?h=28&la=en&w=28)](https://twitter.com/populusgroup) [![](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Images/blog/icon-social-instagram%20png.png?h=28&la=en&w=28)](https://www.instagram.com/populusgroup/) [![](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Images/blog/icon-social-li%20png.png?h=28&la=en&w=28)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/70117/) [![](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Images/blog/icon-social-glassdoor%20png.png?h=28&la=en&w=28)](https://www.glassdoor.com/Overview/Working-at-Populus-Group-EI_IE259242.11,24.htm) [![](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Images/blog/icon-social-youtube%20png.png?h=28&la=en&w=39)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-O9v1hz-Q4OW0Ze0b9O_sg) [![](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Images/blog/icon-social-gplus%20png.png?h=28&la=en&w=28)](https://plus.google.com/u/0/102588349136181669410) ![](https://blog.populusgroup.com/hubfs/Images/blog/icon-top%20png.png?h=33&la=en&w=33)