What can I do as a leader to motivate my soldiers to further their military education/careers?

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 16:11:42 -0500

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made Feb 14 at 2018 4:25 PM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 16:25:23 -0500

As you appear to be young in service yourself you will need to show profession through the ranks by using examples of those around you coupled with policies supporting education and the benefits of continued service. Take a straight approach by asking them their goals and aspirations following it up with what you know and understand about training, education and the benefits of continued service. It would also help to tie in long term benefits of the Pension. Again you would have to study and understand well so that you can easily explain. Good lick and thank you for your service.

Response by SGT Matthew Sesar made Feb 14 at 2018 5:36 PM

SGT Matthew Sesar — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 17:36:17 -0500

Take them down to the education center on post. A lot of guys don’t know where to start.

Response by Cpl Jon Westbrook made Feb 14 at 2018 5:38 PM

Cpl Jon Westbrook — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 17:38:18 -0500

Hate to say it, but alot of that has to do with the individual attitudes of the soldiers themselves. What you can do is set a good example, lay out what exactly is expected from them as well as the consequences for not meeting that standard, and find ways to keep things engaging(which can be hard when it comes to training etc).

Furthermore, I would start by understanding that ultimately your job as a leader is to serve your subordinates. This is often overlooked in the military because of the need for discipline and the fact that you have a mission to accomplish; but successful teams start with strong relationships, and in order to do that you have to build that foundation of putting your soldiers first.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2018 5:41 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 17:41:06 -0500

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member You can mention that civilian careers also have initial education requirements, and continuing education is required if you want to advance in your career. These soldiers need to plan for their future by deciding if they want to make the military a career or obtain a career in the civilian world. Either way, they need to have the education for the career that they want. Your soldiers need to also be encouraged to save and invest for cars, homes, and an eventual retirement. Those that fail to plan may not have as bright a future as those individuals that set goals and plan their future.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2018 5:43 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 17:43:54 -0500

Try your best to lead by example if not doing so already and stay positive. Your attitude should set the tone, and if you stay on them in a professional manner, it should encourage them to further their education. I tell my guys that if they leave the military without at least some certifications if not a degree, then they are WRONG! If anything, it should give them the proper motivation to at least get started.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2018 7:15 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 19:15:20 -0500

Be the sign in the road, some will go left and the others will go right, and when they come back to the sign in the road, they just might go right. Salute!

Response by PO2 Bronwen Taylor Shaffner made Feb 14 at 2018 7:33 PM

PO2 Bronwen Taylor Shaffner — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 19:33:02 -0500

There are so many wonderful classes offered by your military resource center, resume building, continued education, etc... look into your resources available on base that offer classes that help tie that civilian and military world together. It makes for an easier transition and getting them into these free classes might help open their eyes to their full potential financially and build their confidence in wanting to learn more. I see too often where these free classes are offered but not enough AD attend so if your shoulders can leave for an hour to gain some knowledge that may help them if not only supports family readiness but mission readiness and their future.

Response by PO2 Bronwen Taylor Shaffner made Feb 14 at 2018 7:34 PM

PO2 Bronwen Taylor Shaffner — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 19:34:05 -0500

*autocorrect got me again ... soldiers not shoulders

Response by PO2 Bronwen Taylor Shaffner made Feb 14 at 2018 9:07 PM

PO2 Bronwen Taylor Shaffner — Wed, 14 Feb 2018 21:07:45 -0500

I meant to also add to look ; depending on what their job entails while in the military, certain MOS’s or Rates they can work on their apprenticeships that will be valuable in the civilian world. A lot of those apprenticeships require a supervisor to sign off on, that means more educated soldiers and sailors working directly with their supervisors to build on their knowledge and MOS rank qualifications.

Out of 150 people I served with at my first unit only a handful stayed in for 20 years. You’ll know which ones will stay and make it a career and which ones will go. But everyone should be invested in equally so that when they leave they all have a direction or motivation to do something.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2018 8:45 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 08:45:48 -0500

Having been in the civilian world prior to joining the military, one of the things I often attempt to impart upon my soldiers is what their worth is in the outside world. Right now they look at a small E1-E4 paycheck which looks hardly better than minimum wage. You need to show them when you factor in housing, medical, etc that is all covered by being in the service, that they need to earn far more than base pay or minimum wage. I direct my soldiers to look at potential jobs they would like to have once they leave the military and see what the requirements are, what experience they need to have, what certifications, even if they stay in a field related to their MOS. Then steer them towards learning the skills while in. I was having a conversation with an E4 this past weekend who wasn't aware of tuition assistance through GoArmyEd which allows him to take college credits. If they have children, especially newborns or still young, I have them look up what costs would be if they weren't on tricare and make sure they take that into consideration as to how much they need to succeed in order to provide for their families.

Response by SSG Saun Lehar made Feb 15 at 2018 10:56 AM

SSG Saun Lehar — Thu, 15 Feb 2018 10:56:54 -0500

Lead by example. If you are not doing the same then they won't listen. Also they have to be some what self motivated as well. The old saying, "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink," is absolutely true, especially when the statement is based in fact. I had horses and half the time they wouldn't drink water, especially after they worked.
One of the other ways to motivate them is to show them what the civilian market looks like especially if they continue their military education, as well as civilian education. With the military retention rate being fairly weak right now, it would make sense that if they continue moving up the ranks they get leadership experience that would translate into civilian leadership experience.