How do you motivate a young NCO to practice "Service Before Self"?

2017-02-14T09:23:12-05:00

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Feb 14 at 2017 9:30 AM

2017-02-14T09:30:37-05:00

Lead by example, and don't say or SHOW otherwise.

"We need to finish this task... but screw it, lets go home, nobody will know if we finish tomorrow"

"man I hate doing this crap...id rather be at home watching the game...but you know the CDR is going to check up on us...so lets finish , because we will get caught"

Vice

"We need to finish this tonight, the crew is counting on us...Get going, I'll ask if we can have a late call in the morning"

"Look guys, I know this detail sucks, sweeping the MP line ain't saving any lives....but its the job, so lets do it right, as best we can, and have the place ready for final formation"

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2017 9:30 AM

2017-02-14T09:30:39-05:00

Remind them and mentor them that since becoming an NCO, it's no longer just about them. They need to be reminded and mentored that they now have to remember and live by the fact that they are responsible for the lives of those in their charge. That because of the honor they've been bestowed, they need to work towards the greater good of their people AND the big picture.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2017 11:12 AM

2017-02-14T11:12:49-05:00

If a SM hasn't grasped that concept by the time their turn to be promoted to a NCO comes, then they don't need to be promoted into the NCO ranks.

Response by PVT Mark Brown made Feb 14 at 2017 12:16 PM

2017-02-14T12:16:36-05:00

It has been nearly 47 years since I left the Army. Conditions are that time were Vietnam and Post-Armistice Korea (which very few Americans even heard about because the combat in Korea paled in comparison to Vietnam.) I am sure many on here will recall the Days of Elijah, as I like to call them. *From the Bible Book of Kings. Although the Christian Worship of the same name was not written until 1994 it was only in retrospect I made the connection. Any, that wasn't the topic at hand. How to motivate NCO. Since we were not an all volunteer army and marine corps I would think that was a greater problem back then than now and just by the simple fact that question has been posted I must surmise that the problem exits even in our modern day all volunteer military. After all, not only is it service to our country it is also a job and to some an occupation, a career. Why, then, I wonder difficulties exist? The proposal of "Service Before Self" is not at all any different that doing your job for the good of the company which in turn leads to pride in oneself for a "Job well done." In the Army at least, it was a big deal the difference in job performance and esprit dé corps pride in being one of those that wear stripes. I know when I made E5 the first time (There I said it, yes the first time) I felt different about how I handled myself and my men. It seems from day one in the Army I was always put into a position of leadership, from Basic, AIT and Korea. Even though I enlisted I stay sharp and as an E4 when I became a section chief prior to my actual promotion I expected none less from my guys. There truly only a very small handful of goofballs in the entire company. You can tell them, E1 with 12 months active duty, of E3 over 3, you know the guys I speak of. I learned there was nothing that could be done with these soldiers other than make sure I kept my expectations low and held them accountable to a lessor degree of perfection. This seemed to work all the way around. The interested and worker bees in the company would not feel like they were being forced to work up to standards when these half-ass guys were held to much lower standard. The bottom line was each man was given a job, regardless of his E# or attitude and held to that level be it high or low and we all seemed to get along but I did not give up my authority in the least and earned as much respect from my E1, 2 and 3s as I did most others. Long answer and I hope it makes sense.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Feb 14 at 2017 12:35 PM

2017-02-14T12:35:53-05:00

Well part of it involves finding out why the NCO enlisted in the first place. Most of us join because we want to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. But there are the relative few who only joined to satisfy their contract and get the GI Bill to go to school. If that's the case, you might not be able to reach him.

Another thing to demonstrate is what the NCOs specific contribution to the "fight" actually is. A lot of young bloods get disillusioned because they're not kicking down doors and fighting terrorists. I'm an admin. I deal with records. I've got pilots who trust their lives that my records are up to date and accurate. That is my contribution to the fight. If I make a mistake, I'm risking a pilots life.

Maybe this NCO needs to be shown just how much his contribution actually matters.

Response by SGT William Howell made Feb 14 at 2017 1:50 PM

2017-02-14T13:50:28-05:00

For me I came back in the military after 11 years as a E-3. I was a hell raiser in the Navy and spent a lot of time on the old man's carpet so I was less than stellar sailor. When I came back in I was a much older and responsible adult. Still I was a 32 year E-3 and not knowing anything about the Army. As soon as I got MOS qualified and had my time in grade I was promoted to SPC because of my age and experience that transferred directly into my MOS. 2 months later we were ordered to make ready to deploy to Iraq. I got promoted to CPL shortly before we deployed due to a shortage of SGTs. I had no clue how to be an NCO. I saw other people doing the NCO thing and thought I knew how to be an NCO. I was wrong. Getting on the right path happened because I had a couple senior NCO's that worked with me. I learned things like "Mission First, Troops Always". I learned that your troops always eat before you. I also was given the NCO Guide (Which I don't even know existed). These NCOs expected me to know it. So for me, my motivation came from their expectations and me having to rise to meet them. You are how you motivate this young NCO. I would also recommend finding another NCO willing to do the same. For me I was always getting checked on by one of the two people working with me. I did have time to develop many bad habits because somebody was always looking over my shoulder.

Now if they are not willing to accept guidance then that is a horse of another color, but most people will rise to meet the challenges you set for them.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2017 8:55 AM

2017-02-15T08:55:38-05:00

Hi, TSgt Fabian.

You lead from the front, and present yourself as the NCO others want to emulate. When they see that you are consistently first in and last out, that you always put mission first, that a true leader is the servant of his subordinates, they'll get it. You motivate by example.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2017 2:08 PM

2017-02-15T14:08:53-05:00

Hold that person accountable for their actions, if they're doing good tell it same with doing bad. You need to councile and teach good behavior so they understand what's right. If they aren't getting it bad evals and reduction in pay grade could be their consequences.