Posted on Mar 20, 2014
Forced? YOU Volunteered! How can WE change this mentality?
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I'm noticing an up-trend with Soldiers and NCOs questioning 'why' they have to do certain things (just search 'force')...maybe it's because the site is growing ;)
Without bringing up the 'generational' or new/old Soldier theories, let's focus on how we can come together, Leaders and subordinates, and change this mentality.
Leaders - What can you do to instill an esprit-de-corps in your subordinates so that they WANT to certain things?
Subordinates - What can you do to have deeper appreciation for all the military has to offer and take advantages of certain things without feeling forced to do certain things?
Without bringing up the 'generational' or new/old Soldier theories, let's focus on how we can come together, Leaders and subordinates, and change this mentality.
Leaders - What can you do to instill an esprit-de-corps in your subordinates so that they WANT to certain things?
Subordinates - What can you do to have deeper appreciation for all the military has to offer and take advantages of certain things without feeling forced to do certain things?
Values
Service
Teamwork
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 19
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MSG Quick, <br><br>Why are you forcing me to answer this? <br><br>Soldiers and people have a belief that they are entitled to do certain things, act certain ways. They believe that their WANT and do not want is a requirement across the board. "I dont Want to do PT" "I Want to have black nail polish". Its the sense of Entitlement that causes people to feel forced... <br><br>I know that without the army i dont have the discipline to wake up and do PT. so BEING in the army Forces me to be healthy which is a perk. Being in the army has Forced me to be able to get treatment for physical issues that i would have let go for far to long. another Perk. <br><br>I remember my first Unit, we would go run 6-10 miles every friday, the entire company. All at a good pace for Cadence. Funny Cadence. Serious Cadence. I remember that as the days i looked forward to as a Soldier. Running up and taking the guidon and running at the front until your arm feels like its gonna fall off screaming at the top of my lungs. <br><br>What motivated(s) me? Being able to change something or see what i have done to improve. <br><br>How do i try to motivate my soldiers, ensure that they are taken care of, work with them on their goals. Be there to help them achieve their goals... Push them pick them up and lead them... <br><br>I have had soldiers that hated running. How do you make them want to run. Give them a reason to run. I told a few soldiers that Every day that they beat me in a run i would let them go an hour early. (I cleared this with my NCOIC). After i found out that i was broken (long story) I changed the deal... 4 mile run first one in under 32 minutes got an hour off that day. <br><br>It was my team and even when i was on profile i made sure i was out there Everyday making sure they did PT, Directing PT and providing a reason to do PT. At the next PT test my two soldiers where the only two soldiers to increase their score, and where given a 3 day pass each. <br><br>Our jobs as leaders is to Motivate, Mentor, and Train soldiers. Sometimes the box isnt square. <br>
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Suspended Profile
I remember at Basic training having this issue. Another guy (prior enlisted) and I were the oldest ones there. I was a high school teacher, and I saw the same attitudes coming into basic training that some of my students had. The platoon would get in trouble and this other soldier and I would talk to the platoon until we were blue in the face ,and some of them could care less. They would tell us they didn't want to do it or they never had to it. Whether it was small tasks or large tasks. It was ridiculous. They would try to get up in the drill sergeants faces. I have never seen so much disrespect. I wouldn't have done this to my parents, much less a drill sergeant. It's a culture, unfortunately. Disrespect and the "give me" attitude. Soldiers who go through basic and don't change their mentality should never be allowed to join our ranks, in my opinion. They are not living the Army Values. These same soldiers go into service with the same attitude.
Sgt Randy Hill
Although I believe today's volunteer force is extremely capable and professional,A part of me thinks that mandatory service time for all who are able levels the playing field when it comes to veterans issues and especially job hunting.
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Leaders must always lead by example - without exception.
Subordinates need the standards & discipline so they mature into a professional force.
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I've said it once and I'll say it again here. I truly believe if we are having issues with our subordinates (followers) then we are highly likely having issues with how we are leading them.
If soldier's feel like they are being FORCED to do things, then they are not being motivated to do them. Our job as leaders is to motivate. I think its just that simple.
How do you motivate? Build trust, educate and give purpose. When people understand WHY they are doing things, they will care more about doing them.
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Sgt Randy Hill
When a service person knows why the how comes naturally. That was our active duty motto.
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