Posted on Aug 17, 2014
SPC Squad Leader
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Such as; when a soldier score above let's say 280 or more on a PT test, he or she would get a 4 day pass or not required to come for PT on specific days? And such 4 day pass would be used to take either military or civilian education that would be beneficial for their career.

Or giving out a form of reward to a soldier who performed exceptionally well on a detail or task in a timely fashion rather than spending twice as much time it would require.
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Responses: 5
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
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I would hope that this form of reward is still in practice, this is how I've always done it and seen it done in every unit I've been in. Not everything is deserving of a medal but a pass or an afternoon off is a simple and effective motivator.
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SPC Squad Leader
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Sir, Thank you for the input .... i have only been in the Army for about 15 months and this type of reward was only used when i was at AIT. But on getting to my unit, after saluting the flag and its time for preparation drills, about half of the company would claim to be on some sort of profile. The extent at which soldiers stay on temporary or permanent profile was so alarming that it affects the morale of the rest of the company. We don't have this type of reward system in place in my unit and PT failure rate is sky rocketing because soldiers just want to do the bare minimum to pass.
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MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca
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Wow, that' incredible SPC (Join to see). I find that tough to swallow. Sounds like the command needs a reboot if all that is allowed to be happening.
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SFC Intelligence Analyst
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SPC (Join to see) I would have to agree with MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca, your unit was my unit less than 2 years ago and I don't remember it being that bad
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SPC Squad Leader
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Sir, i totally agree with you and i believe your recommendation should be implemented in order to see a positive change. I am a kind of soldier that is naturally motivated and grateful for what the army have done for me during the short period of time i have been in. But lately,i see soldiers come to work with no drive and say negative things about the army. It makes me wonder why they decide to join in the first place. So that leaves me with the question that may be "the system does not care about them or may be they just preferred to be that way."
I know there are numerous resources in the army that are basically designed to help the development of soldiers but it seems that the leadership dont put those resources in practice. One other thing that i would say is that it seems the leadership does not have a well laid out plan or legacy that they would be known for after a soldier decides to leave the army.
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SGT Team Leader
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A "Hey, good job." doesn't hurt. Sometimes, I think, leaders believe that an "'Atta boy" has to be in writing. No. It really doesn't. You never know how much a thumbs up or a pat on the back impacts a person. Never underestimate the power of subtlety.
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SPC Squad Leader
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You are absolutely right..
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CPT Company Commander
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I am not trying to be a jerk but all I offer is job satisfaction and a chance to live another day when in combat. I don't like giving out awards. When we aspire for the reward and not the successful completion of the task we are losing ourselves as soldiers. I have put forth only one award for a soldier in my couple years of being an officer. The mentality of why we do what we do is just as important as the task itself.
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SPC Squad Leader
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Sir, if i am right, your stand point sounds to me like the mission comes first which i totally agree with. But do you ever think there could ever be a time where a soldier's welfare might be important than the mission?
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CPT Company Commander
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No. Without the mission there would be no soldiers. I know that they have their needs and they will be met. If he is mission incapable, that should be addressed but I fear that some soldier for the wrong reasons. The Army made this the first point in the Warrior ethos. I am not advocating ignoring the soldier or discarding him but he needs to know his place. I know my place and accept that. If I do well my award will be bringing all my men home. That would be my most earnest award I could give.
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