Posted on Dec 5, 2015
Command climate...what's the point if nothing changes?
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I've been at this unit for almost a year now. Have done 5 online surveys and 2 "in person" ones with higher headquarters personnel. Morale is down, cohesion is gone, and communication and care for soldiers well being is at its worst. What's the point in doing these surveys and "sensing sessions" if not a single thing that's brought up or complained about has been improved
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 24
SGT- do what you can to enhance morale in your sphere of influence. Focus on your Soldiers and peers. Let them know that, no matter what is going on in your particular unit, there are better experiences in the Army. Look for constructive ways to help your leaders understand what is going on. No real leader I have ever known wants bad morale and cohesion in his/her unit. I doubt your leaders do either. Support them as an NCO and junior leader.
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What many people don't know is that commanders select the questions. That is why many times you notice certain known issues not even come up.
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SGT McBride, I was in a similar situation when I was a Junior NCO. You want nothing more than to motivate your Troops and tell them that "It doesn't matter if they care, I care." or "I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure that there's change..." Then at the end of the day, you start to lose your own motivation and tend to not know what to say anymore when some of the decisions being made are so far fetched that you believe they just threw darts at a giant board of bad ideas.
The best thing that you can do as an NCO in these situations is to educate them on the importance of maintaining their military bearing, being resilient, and keeping their heads on the Mission. Secondly, educate your Troops on the importance of answering these surveys (and the others that come from higher) honestly, wholly, and with clear, decisive information that cannot be looked over. While it may be "one more thing" they have to do alongside their multitude of other responsibilities, it's of the upmost importance in a bad climate such as you describe.
I can tell you that if you've had Sensing Sessions and the like, there are already more than likely moves being made in the background; however, these things take time. Maintain that backbone: be the example, know the standards, and do what is right.
The best thing that you can do as an NCO in these situations is to educate them on the importance of maintaining their military bearing, being resilient, and keeping their heads on the Mission. Secondly, educate your Troops on the importance of answering these surveys (and the others that come from higher) honestly, wholly, and with clear, decisive information that cannot be looked over. While it may be "one more thing" they have to do alongside their multitude of other responsibilities, it's of the upmost importance in a bad climate such as you describe.
I can tell you that if you've had Sensing Sessions and the like, there are already more than likely moves being made in the background; however, these things take time. Maintain that backbone: be the example, know the standards, and do what is right.
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