Posted on Apr 19, 2016
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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What does your organization do to set the right climate and culture for a new service member or employee?

How important is it for organizations to have a program that allows new members to understand their culture?

Give some examples of what your organization provides?
Edited >1 y ago
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Responses: 19
SPC Andrew Griffin
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The unit I served in never did this! Just welcome to the Infantry! It took adaptation on the part of the individual to be successful!
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SSgt Robert Marx
SSgt Robert Marx
>1 y
I served in two infantry units, one in NC & the other MT, and they both were the same as above. Each soldier had to figure out his own way!
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SPC Andrew Griffin
SPC Andrew Griffin
>1 y
SSgt Robert Marx - that's how it normally happens
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SSgt Robert Marx
SSgt Robert Marx
>1 y
For soldiers on the pointy end of the spear I guess coddling would be counter-productive.
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SPC Kenneth Koerperich
SPC Kenneth Koerperich
>1 y
"Welcome to 7th ID, A co 1-9. Here's your room. Figure it out. See ya!"

Sink or swim. NO CODDLING!
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PO1 Cryptologic Technician (Technical)
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For new SMs, I would ask questions to them; "What do you expect out of the command to help you in your time of transition? What do you want to do with your career?"; things of that sort. The more information I can get from that SM the better I'm able to help them. Along with command-type questions, I would ask if they are having difficulty with rank structure, CoC recognition, etc. ALso with any websites that would require them to work with (CMSID, NROWS, NKO, etc.), I would assist with navigation and how they go about reviewing the websites. Also an INDOC program helps too.

I'm starting up a Mentoring Program with my current command to help assist sailors who are transition from AC to RC and also new sailors who've arrived from Boot.
**This question helped me get my thoughts in gear as to what I want to do to excel sailors.

It's very important to have something as a guideline. Not everyone is going to be available for you to assist for every task or question. You have to have that knowledge and that drive to do what is necessary. Without asking questions and getting the information I need to succeed, I wouldn't be who and where I am today.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
>1 y
PO1 (Join to see) Sounds like a great sponsorship program others could follow across the other branches - excellent! Thanks for sharing!
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CW3(P) Senior Property Accounting Technician
CW3(P) (Join to see)
>1 y
That sounds like a great idea wish you much success
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MSG Mechanic 2nd
MSG (Join to see)
>1 y
as a fsg that is extactally what i would ask of new soldiers, what are your expectations of the unit, myself and its leaders, my answer would be unit mission, unit goals and unit standards, then it would be how can you help us and youself to achieve this, and what is your goal in the millitary, success is the goal, but what and how far an sm is willing to go is the problem, especially reserves, mandatory on line training was a big problem in my last unit, sm's i dont get paid to do it is the most often excuss, that of course was med unit, when i was ca hell no you got it done period, a lot of ncoes phase ones are on line now, if you want it do it, and dont ask me why i'm not getting promoted, as you reach the higher levels there are certain sacrifices, coming home from work after 10 houres, skipping diner, so you can be on brigade conference call which can go for a while, so junior nco's need to step up do the extra time, the higher you go less personal time
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LTC Stephen F.
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Edited >1 y ago
COL Mikel J. Burroughs I would recommend a seasons veteran of the organization serve as sponsor for any incoming member. This individual should communicate with the person coming in and provide a welcome packet which provides general and specific information about the organization and its surrounding area.
After the new person arrives, the sponsor should be align with the newbee for up to a month and be available to answer questions via text, email, phone, in=person when appropriate, etc.
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