Best unique ways to bolster team cohesion and esprit de corps?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 21:29:02 -0500

Thinking outside of the proverbial box here, best and unique ways to build, sustain and promote team cohesion along with esprit de corps? Especially for those in special duties like Recruiting etc..... Some things I've been apart of, teams for Tough Mudder and Spartan races, Ruck March promoting Toys for Tots, 5k team in local community...........

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2013 9:34 PM

SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 21:34:38 -0500

I have always enjoyed good food and fun. We can all think of at least one experience we have had that involved food in some way or another, so why not mix food and fun. A cook off or some other contest that involves food in some way could add a bit of oddity while also boosting esprit de corps.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 23 at 2013 9:49 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 21:49:03 -0500

Our battalion sponsors at least one team to participate in the Bataan Memorial Death March every year. This year I am honored to be included. Our train-up marches are a great way to bond and build esprit-de-corps. I have a firm belief that all great team-building activities involve overcoming adversity, even if adversity is sore feet and a sore back.

Response by CSM Stuart C. O'Black made Dec 23 at 2013 9:53 PM

CSM Stuart C. O'Black — Mon, 23 Dec 2013 21:53:26 -0500

It also depends on why you think it needs built? If there is an issue you need to focus on things that address that.

However, if there are no issue and you just want to build the team then I understand. Especially in the units you spoke of have personnel that are very independent otherwise they would not be successful. So start with a BBQ like they spoke of below - having everyone in a relax atmosphere gives a chance to talk and share away from the office.

Also, unique sporting venues everyone can do away from work, paintball, rafting, sporting events. Finally, don't discount traditional Army events to build team cohesion - plenty of Fortune 500 companies pay fortunes for the type of team building events the Army provides. Obstacle course, leaders reaction course, get your chaplain involved and most of all NEVER say Mandatory Fun - once you say that you already lost them.

Best of luck and let us know how and what worked best.

CSM OB

Response by MSG Bobby Ewing made Dec 27 at 2013 1:08 PM

MSG Bobby Ewing — Fri, 27 Dec 2013 13:08:59 -0500

Over my 16 year career, I have bared witness to some amazing team building events. From my days at FT Huachuca and FT Hood, we had NCO vs JR Enlisted football games on the weekends. Some times we broke out the grills, brought the families out, it was great. The bonding, trash talking, and bragging rights til the next match up were great motivation. This carried over into work. One example was while at FT Hood, some of the same soldiers challenged the NCOs to PMCS, mini-validation/recovery deal. We took the best Soldiers vs the top 4 team chiefs per section (V3s, SENs, NCs - for all you signaleers) and they had to complete vehicle maintenance, signal maintenance, layout, and recovery inspections (TO STANDARD). NCOs won, but there was some great team building and lessons learned during the event.

Another great unit cohesion and espirit de corps that I have witness is something that was started by two senior NCOs here in Wiesbaden. They started a monthly barracks dinner for the Soldiers in our barracks. We have 3 companies that share one billet. Each month, towards the end of the month, the senior leaders throughout the organization produced home cooked dishes that are themed with the EO observance or close holiday. The barracks Soldiers get to enjoy a home cooked meal and the leaders and family members also serve the Soldiers. This is a way to say thanks for all the hard work they do on a daily basis and give them each a taste of home. We find out a lot about our soldiers from these meals, that you don't really get a chance to during duty hours. The two NCOs that started this event have since PCSd, but we have carried on the tradition and I look to take it to my next duty assignment.

For the special duty assignment, like recruiting. When I was out there, I was stationed in Pensacola, FL assigned to Mobile Recruiting Company. Our company had stations throughout southwest and northwest FL. We put together flag football events titled FL vs BAMA. It was the AL stations vs the FL stations. We held the game at one of our high schools. The school received the proceeds from the gate and the FRG received the money from the bake sale held out of the concession stands. The high school had their own cheerleaders and band performed during the game and a nearby high school did the same as well. It was a great event and FL came out on top, 12-6. We built a strong bond amongst all our stations and within the communities from that event.