Force Reductions

Tell them it is for health of force and you must be doing something right to still be in. It can also serve as motivational tool for leaders to use to help increase performance from some as they may feel that if they stay lazy or lower performing that they will be next.

If you just want to have fun and are a poor leader have a pool of who will get voted off the island next.

Schedule talks with supervisors and affected Airmen. Airman are not alone when it comes to plummeting morale. Importantly, NCOs should model behavior that Airmen want to emulate – they have an obligation to be ambassadors for the organization and exhibit behavior that discourages low morale.

Also, remind them of the world outside of military service. Only 18% of military members get to 20 years. They can take the skills they have learned and continue to serve in another form as over 80% who join the military do.

Good Airmen don't have staying in the Air Force because retirement is their number one goal. Leaders go where they have impact and purpose. The best NCO I every worked with got out at 16 years because he found something that he felt would make a bigger impact on the world.

It's rough, but realistically it's happening all over. I've seen so many great service members be forced out and so many take to opt early out for other benefits. Keeping morale up will be difficult but when everything is said and done and this time passes. The ones who are still in probably fought to stay in, which in itself will bring up morale. Maybe the military will be smaller but it will be made up of more members who "really" want to serve our country.. War is war, it isn't pretty and neither is it's aftermath. I don't believe there's a lot that can be done right now but to be patient. I personally believe in due time we will have our morale back up. Not giving up and those who don't give up will stay in and influence the newer ones. It's going to take a new generation of servicemen and women with good attitude and fortitude to stick through the hard times in order for it to change.