What do you do to boost morale with your Joes?

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 14:38:45 -0500

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Feb 29 at 2016 2:41 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 14:41:22 -0500

I say thank you with great Christmas Parties (informal), send them on chopper flights, give them dinner certificates, BBQ for them. Of course the first step is to treat them with dignity and respect.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 29 at 2016 4:25 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 16:25:02 -0500

Nothing boosts moral like time off. Period

Response by PO2 Michael Berry made Feb 29 at 2016 5:33 PM

PO2 Michael Berry — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 17:33:43 -0500

You have received good advice from the other respondents. The truly best thing and I am summing up what everyone else has said is give your Joes some down time but keep it informally organized with a meal (BBQ is always good) letting the troops show their cooking skills. Let them let down their hair but don't let it turn into a gripe session! Keep it spontaneous.

Response by SSG Ryan Moore made Feb 29 at 2016 5:58 PM

SSG Ryan Moore — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 17:58:30 -0500

Now this may be my opinion and mine alone.. But I have determined that if you want to motivate them .. Show them that you're not afraid to get down and dirty with them and we wore them when they've done something good…

Response by BG David Fleming III made Feb 29 at 2016 7:19 PM

BG David Fleming III — Mon, 29 Feb 2016 19:19:04 -0500

Dress problems in timely manner will always boost moral! Soldier want to know you care and the best way to show that is by listening to their concerns and provide solutions when possible.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 3:35 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 03:35:36 -0500

Whatever they are doing I participate with them. If we are getting our hands dirty I delegate to ensure they understand that I trust they can complete a task and get dirty right along with them.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2016 4:45 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 04:45:23 -0500

First, recognize them as men and women instead of Joes. If that isn't important in your outfit, I suggest you either get out at the end of your tour OR seek a command that values and respects the contributions. If you're stuck in your present command, I suggest you respect your subordinates while at the same time you challenge them. In a manner that produces thought in their minds, ask this question. " Did anyone draft you into the service"? Make the statement, "You don't strike me as being a soldier who makes bad decisions" or " Did you have the option to select your MOS or Designator". You want them to think instead of react. In the heat of battle, you WILL NOT have the fortune of always close contact. They have to learn survival is more their responsibility than anyone else. Remember this, " A leader, if he/she has their own self respect, has more tools at their command other than yelling or anger. If boot camp yelling and assertive reaction didn't do the job, your mission becomes much more important. Document Document!!

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 1 at 2016 7:03 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 07:03:22 -0500

When we had a little down the CSM would come and talk to us and act like one of the guys. He had worked up thru the ranks, so he knew how to prevent boredom.

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Jun 12 at 2016 5:56 PM

CPT Joseph K Murdock — Sun, 12 Jun 2016 17:56:19 -0400

I would get dinner certificates to the NCOs to pass on to the soldiers. I BBQed almost every week for them. Ribs, steaks, brisket , and chicken. Arranged for UH-60 flights for them. Played flag football on Fridays. Had pot lucks.