Leaders: It's the Holiday Season: Do you know the status of y(our) troops?

PO1 Ricky Allen — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 12:57:32 -0500

People are stationed in places where they may or may not have have family. What about that new check-in? Have you reached out to your people? Are you comfortable in checking up on them? Here are some thoughts:

1. Make the call - Holidays are stressful, it down right depressing for some. Don't wait to hear horrible news about how someone took their own life, or that someone spent the holiday season alone.

2. Ask what they're up to: Sometimes this works, but you don't want to pry. Try to listen in on some of the normal background noise: TV, Radio, people talking. Tells of that nature will give you an idea of how things are going without asking blunt questions

3. Email or text: Group emails and text can make it less awkward. A flat message about having a good time but being safe is expected from leadership so don't be afraid to send it. Personalize it. These people know you -

4. Encourage everyone to checkup on each other. Fellowship is one of the top reasons people stay in the military!

It's Dec. 21st, 2015: Do you know how your troops are doing? Check in now!

Response by SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres made Dec 21 at 2015 1:05 PM

SGT Jose Perdelia-Torres — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 13:05:58 -0500

I did this myself as a Team/Squad Leader. played the part of both for a time. I learned it from my team leaders and squad leaders. Not all of them did over the years, but the ones that did went above and beyond. I hope servicemen and women still in follow this advice or see this post of yours, good reminder. Good reminder for us Veterans to check in with our Brothers and Sisters.

Response by Capt Brandon Charters made Dec 21 at 2015 2:07 PM

Capt Brandon Charters — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 14:07:16 -0500

PO1 Ricky Allen - This is an excellent reminder to check in with everyone on morale & Holiday plans. Can't begin to say how important this is within a unit. Everyone is typically gone from family and it really starts to sink in (around December) how much you miss it all. Having regular check-ins and team events (outside of work) throughout the year makes this much more of a natural process. Thanks for putting this reminder out there for us.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Dec 21 at 2015 3:39 PM

SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 15:39:02 -0500

PO1 Ricky Allen great post, it's what's off duty that matters alike, it's always good to check the morale of your personnel!

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 21 at 2015 3:47 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 15:47:19 -0500

I use to tell my NCOs I don't want any soldier doing Thanksgiving or Christmas alone.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 21 at 2015 5:33 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 17:33:35 -0500

Very valid and relevant point to bring up. Last Christmas, I went through my closet and gathered up about 1,200 dollars worth of new and gently used clothes and shoes out of my closet. I posted on my local BUY, SELL, TRADE page to donate all of it. I met this great family who's son was growing up without his father and was still excelling in sports and academics and his mother was trying to support everyone and keep them together. The kid was absolutely blown away to have someone give him brand new Nikes and 200 dollar designer jeans and all of this other stuff, and just to be able to tell him like "Hey man, I used to not have nice stuff and me giving you these things is me believing in you and I think you are going to do great things." It was my 3rd year away from my family for Christmas, and for him and his mom to just give me a hug it really made me feel okay getting through Christmas.

My unit found out about it, and my PSG on leave gives me a call like "Hey, you doing alright? You are? Okay, talk to you later." This fucking guy just called me to make sure I wasn't going to kill myself because I'm hooking up someone for Christmas, bro are you fucking serious?! It wasn't even done in a cool way, my company was literally checking the "Make sure the troops don't kill themselves." block. Left a bad taste in my mouth, really convinced me that my company didn't really care about me.

Fun story aside, definitely reach out to people to your left and right; especially on Holiday Block. Go grab lunch with them at McDonalds, go see a movie, go to the bar, play video games...but don't leave your buddies alone on the holidays, all we got is each other. Have a very happy holidays everyone!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2015 12:44 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 00:44:49 -0500

Any NCO worth their stripes knows exactly where their Soldiers are right now.
Good reminder to check in over the holidays - they are often extra stressful for some of us.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Dec 22 at 2015 12:22 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 12:22:54 -0500

We always sponsored soldiers and NCOs to show them around the post and various places they had to go to. I believe it was a good program and allowed the troops to assimilate faster. I told the NCOs I did not want any soldiers to be alone on the holiday dinners, then I would ask the soldiers what their plans are for the holidays.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2015 12:15 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 00:15:41 -0500

PO1 Ricky Allen Excellent post! Thank you.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 24 at 2015 1:18 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 24 Dec 2015 01:18:32 -0500

Great post, thanks for posting.

Response by Sandra Swatzel made Dec 29 at 2015 6:09 PM

Sandra Swatzel — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 18:09:30 -0500

Great post! I really liked it. My spouse is currently deployed but we talk all the time. My parents were able to join me for the holidays this year, which was nice.