Posted on Jul 29, 2015
Is there a way to motivate the new generation of military members?
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I am finding in today's military an undercurrent of failure or just accepting the status quo. What is the reason for this? How did we let it get this way?
Many times I have been told it is due to the everyone gets a trophy mentality of society. I agree to some extent, but the main area of blame, lies in the social structure provided to us by our parental units. When a child has very little human interaction, other than over a headset playing a video game,, and are never told they suck, of course the military is a culture shock. These young men and women come in and feel defeated almost immediately. Should they toughen up? Maybe...but ultimately it is on the highly trained Officers, NCOs and SNCOs to adapt to continue the warrior culture the profession of arms is founded on.
I have found it is important to meet them at their level. This generation does care, but they are a lot more skeptical about things than I was when I joined. Gone are the days of do as I say and not as I do. They want to feel genuinely cared about, and they want to see some follow through. This generation grew up with 9/11 and all of the hysteria that came along with that. No generation since Pearl Harbor during World War II has ever had to live with such a massive attack on U.S. citizens on our own soil.
Many of them joined because of 9/11, and they are patriotic. Imagine coming in at the end of 2 wars to a bunch of worn out, crusty, hardened vets. It is hard to fit in and prove yourself when you haven't been to Iraq, Afghanistan, or involved in any other campaigns.
My solution to this problem is to tell the branches stories. Some services are better than others, but inspire and engage the new recruits. Do not be afraid to provide professional development about the hero's in every major war and campaign. In doing so it prepares and motivates the young troops to be ready to react like, input hero here, when their number is called for the defense of this great nation.
Sure this seems like a lot of work, but it is vital to get the new recruits engaged early, and not ruin them or their dreams of serving their country by acting like what they do doesn't matter.
Many times I have been told it is due to the everyone gets a trophy mentality of society. I agree to some extent, but the main area of blame, lies in the social structure provided to us by our parental units. When a child has very little human interaction, other than over a headset playing a video game,, and are never told they suck, of course the military is a culture shock. These young men and women come in and feel defeated almost immediately. Should they toughen up? Maybe...but ultimately it is on the highly trained Officers, NCOs and SNCOs to adapt to continue the warrior culture the profession of arms is founded on.
I have found it is important to meet them at their level. This generation does care, but they are a lot more skeptical about things than I was when I joined. Gone are the days of do as I say and not as I do. They want to feel genuinely cared about, and they want to see some follow through. This generation grew up with 9/11 and all of the hysteria that came along with that. No generation since Pearl Harbor during World War II has ever had to live with such a massive attack on U.S. citizens on our own soil.
Many of them joined because of 9/11, and they are patriotic. Imagine coming in at the end of 2 wars to a bunch of worn out, crusty, hardened vets. It is hard to fit in and prove yourself when you haven't been to Iraq, Afghanistan, or involved in any other campaigns.
My solution to this problem is to tell the branches stories. Some services are better than others, but inspire and engage the new recruits. Do not be afraid to provide professional development about the hero's in every major war and campaign. In doing so it prepares and motivates the young troops to be ready to react like, input hero here, when their number is called for the defense of this great nation.
Sure this seems like a lot of work, but it is vital to get the new recruits engaged early, and not ruin them or their dreams of serving their country by acting like what they do doesn't matter.
Posted in these groups: 
Motivation
Leadership
Motivation Leadership
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 11
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I believe there is a way to motivate the younger Military generation, but it will take a motivated older generation that is willing to provide that motivation. In my opinion, if you are not a self motivator and the simple fact of having the privilege to wear the uniform doesn't motivate you, then you joined the wrong profession.
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I can't give this enough up votes, SMSgt (Join to see). You are spot on, sir. Today's generation does seem to want to be engaged on a personal level. Unfortunately, a TI/DI doesn't have the luxury to engage each recruit personally. It is up to those of us beyond initial training to pick this piece up. Be we active or veteran.
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SMSgt (Join to see)
Yes sir. You hit the nail on the head. They should get beat up in basic and then built back up. It is up to us to figure out what makes them tick and build those professional relationships.
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Let me tell you the mentality of my generation. "If I can't see why this matters and I don't believe in the cause then I won't try my best or give much effort at all. Indeed, I will actively work against those in charge to show them why it doesn't work."
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