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Recently my company just finished a MUTA drill, and when we got back to the armory on Sunday there were a handful of us running around down loading equipment, cleaning the trucks, and conducting the after PMCS. We took four crew served weapons out for familiarization training and they needed to be wiped down before being secured. There were several privates sitting around the weapons doing nothing, so I asked them to start to wiping them down till everyone can join in cleaning the weapons. The reaction was a heavy sigh as if i asked the group to do something hard like load the contents of the arms room onto the back of a LMTV. This wasn't the first time that I've noticed an attitude along the lines of "Well we're going to be paid anyways so why should we do anything but the minimum amount of work."
The question for the RallyPoint community is whether this attitude is common across the military as whole or limited to certain components? And since identifying a problem does nothing without solutions, how can we motivate those who just want to collect a paycheck?
The question for the RallyPoint community is whether this attitude is common across the military as whole or limited to certain components? And since identifying a problem does nothing without solutions, how can we motivate those who just want to collect a paycheck?
Posted in these groups: 
Motivation
Leadership
Motivation Leadership
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 16
I tell my Soldiers....The sooner we get done, the sooner we go have a cold beer.
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SGT (Join to see)
Staff Sergeant, some in the company understand the sooner we get the work done the sooner we get to have our final formation and go home its just getting the new privates up to speed on that idea.
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MSG (Join to see)
Privates will always be Privates. That is the nature of the beast. Its getting thru their skulls and getting them to see the light. Draw upon your experience when you were a Private and what got you going and try that on the new kids and see if it works. If it doesn't, step back, adjust fire, and re-engage.
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MSG (Join to see)
Here is another option, as I have been thinking upon your situation. In particular, if you are designated as their team leader/supervisor, etc, then to help motivate them is to inform them that their cell phones are to not come out of their pockets unless it is for emergency and/or work purposes. if they come out and not for the designated reason(s), secure them and only return when the duty day is done. if they will want their phones back, they will get that work done.
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This is a common problem with the younger generations (to include mine). There are definitely some soldiers that are separated from those packs. If you want proof, look in the mirror. A good work ethic stands out. Not only to your fellow junior enlisted but also your NCOs (assuming that they are not under the same category of poor work ethics). Don't let it change you, keep your ethics showing and it will pay off.
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From my experience, SPC Mackey, this is something that happens EVERYWHERE, primarily with Privates but is also rank-exclusive. Specialists, NCOs, officers, et al, but, as I said, primarily with Privates, and ESPECIALLY with the Millenials. That you wonder about such behavior speaks, in my mind, highly on you and your attitude, and the best thing you can do is instruct/teach/mentor and try to get some of your own attitude to rub off on them.
As for solutions, in my experience the best way to motivate a Soldier is to lead by example. For those who really want to be there (and deserve it), being a good mentor and a good example is about the best you can do. Now, for those who are there for the paycheck (I know there are quite a few in RA who are in it just for the college money), sometimes you have to ensure they understand this sort of behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. They'll either learn False Motivation (a life-saver, sometimes) or... well... you'll do what you need to do.
As for solutions, in my experience the best way to motivate a Soldier is to lead by example. For those who really want to be there (and deserve it), being a good mentor and a good example is about the best you can do. Now, for those who are there for the paycheck (I know there are quite a few in RA who are in it just for the college money), sometimes you have to ensure they understand this sort of behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. They'll either learn False Motivation (a life-saver, sometimes) or... well... you'll do what you need to do.
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SGT (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see) I understand the point you are making of trying to mentor the others but how can you motivate them if there never seems to be any counseling or smoke sessions for those who don't have any motivation.
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SGT (Join to see)
SPC Mackey, so as your team leader or NCO you d rather have me smoke the living dog poo poo out of you to get you to work? Ill smoke you for certain things-IE-walkaround in Air Jordans with ACU s on with no profile, I ll smoke you for smoking in doors, hell I ll even drop you on the spot for failing to salute an officer.
But smoking you for not wanting to clean weapons? That s where I come in and tell you the sooner this crap gets done the sooner we get out. You privates will get your smelly butts in gear and make it happen. There is a difference between being a slave driver and a leader-and the difference is simple in whose in front and who isnt. I d be swabbing weapons right there with you if that s what needed to be done.
But smoking you for not wanting to clean weapons? That s where I come in and tell you the sooner this crap gets done the sooner we get out. You privates will get your smelly butts in gear and make it happen. There is a difference between being a slave driver and a leader-and the difference is simple in whose in front and who isnt. I d be swabbing weapons right there with you if that s what needed to be done.
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SFC (Join to see)
SGT Walden, I can agree with you there. The point is to motivate, not simply punish.
However, to answer SPC Mackey's question, if that is what is going on then THAT is the issue. If there are never counseling smoke, never smoke sessions, never even a stern talking to... well, that is a problem with the leadership. Personal opinion: talk to your NCOs about it. First, find out what they recommend, as it is their unit, not mine (I mean, I have several recommendations, but I'm not there). That talk might reveal either the core issue or might bring up a solution just by talking. Secondly, find out what YOUR options are. If you are a team or squad leader, see if YOU are authorized to counsel your soldiers (you are by Army standards in general, being in a position of authority, but every unit has its own SOP on the issue, and they may not want any non-NCO doing that). Finally, sit the soldiers under your command (or in your squad if you aren't a team/squad leader) and hash it out with them. That may not accomplish a thing, especially if they legitimately have no drive or motivation... but it will at least let them know what is expected of them, so they can't argue they didn't know when they were punished. Perhaps remind them that they get paid TO do that job, and if they don't want to do it, in a shrinking military their unit would have no issues getting rid of people not willing to pull their weight.
I hope this is helping at all, and not just me blathering on.
However, to answer SPC Mackey's question, if that is what is going on then THAT is the issue. If there are never counseling smoke, never smoke sessions, never even a stern talking to... well, that is a problem with the leadership. Personal opinion: talk to your NCOs about it. First, find out what they recommend, as it is their unit, not mine (I mean, I have several recommendations, but I'm not there). That talk might reveal either the core issue or might bring up a solution just by talking. Secondly, find out what YOUR options are. If you are a team or squad leader, see if YOU are authorized to counsel your soldiers (you are by Army standards in general, being in a position of authority, but every unit has its own SOP on the issue, and they may not want any non-NCO doing that). Finally, sit the soldiers under your command (or in your squad if you aren't a team/squad leader) and hash it out with them. That may not accomplish a thing, especially if they legitimately have no drive or motivation... but it will at least let them know what is expected of them, so they can't argue they didn't know when they were punished. Perhaps remind them that they get paid TO do that job, and if they don't want to do it, in a shrinking military their unit would have no issues getting rid of people not willing to pull their weight.
I hope this is helping at all, and not just me blathering on.
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