How do you address any challenges with getting young soldiers involved and having pride in your unit?

Its one thing when you actually have a person who does not care or give a sh*^*. But after my 9 years and currently still in the navy and busting my ass to make E6 right at 7 years. I have had several hostile working environments for years at a time and the chain of cmd would not do anything about it even after assaults on the troops. Working hours that were 10 to 15 hours a day most of the time where a good 6 to 8 were sitting on you ass standing by because the chain of cmd would not let you leave. Your higher ups not supporting you or the division other then trying to use you as there next rank. The top brass of the cmd not being informed and every other thing being swept under the table to cover up the piece of sh&^ who continuously does something stupid or the rest of the cmd pays for it. But you do one thing wrong and you are nailed to the wall and made an example of. The majority of the time that i have seen my guys not care is because of what i just listed and so much more. There are too many parts of the military now where the chain of cmd and immediate chain of cmd do not care and use the men as bodies. I can not say that is what is going on in your unit. But over the past 9 years this is what i have experienced first hand and have been the direct negative result of what i have listed. If i were financially stable to leave the navy i would have this year. Don't get me wrong there are plenty of people who are lazy and need to be dealt with. But if the chain of cmd does not support there men and women, what i have listed and so much more was the direct result of people just not caring because the chain of cmd did not support them or used them for there next rank.

A good read is, "Tribal Leadership" https://www.amazon.com/Tribal-Leadership-Leveraging-Thriving-Organization-ebook/dp/B0012GTZFC/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid= [login to see] &sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=tribal+leadership essentially the book is about leveraging communication to harness increasing levels of teams.

Look within. It’s pretty simple. Troops/employees hang out with people they like. Even if a tough guy, if the troops think/feel that their command truly takes care of them and motivates them to be a good soldier, sailor, airman, Marine, they are more likely to show up. If the leaders aren’t inspiring, then the troops don’t want to be around them. We’ve all been in units that were great and others that were terrible —- it came down to the leadership of the unit. Now that I’m in corporate America, I’ve learned the expression, employees don’t leave a company, they leave a manager.

An over-emphasis on professionalism combined with an abundance of well-intended rules meant to curb infractions can quickly turn what was once considered a “brotherhood” into a pseudo-corporation. As a result, the gap between lower-enlisted, NCO’s, and Officers will continue to widen and soldiers at all levels will be less likely to attend off-duty military functions. They know that these functions will be divided amongst ranks and if they’re going to do something fun with their peers, they’d rather do it elsewhere as opposed to under the watchful and judgmental eyes of their leadership.

Spur rides during duty hours, sports pt more than once a month, fitness competition ex: 90 days to train allowed to train during pt hours then you have sprint deadlift swimming ...etc competitions. Get involved with the cab when they do search and rescue see if you can train sere in short you can have a crazy game of hide and seek, and at the end of the day have a cookout not manditory but just fun bring beer and steaks and leave the ranks at home. us lower enlisted appreciate that. I always loved calling my 1sg out until he played the mafia in beer pong and won. Little things, unprofessional things that mold the troop to be professional and have an off switch between soldier and civilian create cohesion. Out of everything sir “pulling teeth” have you ever thought tell your joes no pt meet at an ihop for breakfast and ask them what you can do for them how can you improve this team. It goes along way. Talk to them.

History brings out so much of our tradition but it also doe help installing pride. Not just in country but by unit even. Make you feel part of something so much bigger then not only the here and now but as the Unit as a whole. It's hard to get the average private and up Sargent's to get involved in other activities be it for lack of interest or desires to remain hard core or less then just the 9to 5 guy. I always was taught everyone has a need a place and a purpose. It's those who find it in every one are those that succeed and in the Same way help others to succeed also

During my time in the army it was my experience having to contend with officers and NCOs who were more interested in their power and ego trip. Any esprit de corp was quickly killed by these individuals by their failure to recognize the value and contributions of their troops and make awards accordingly.

I always felt the best way to bring a unit together was through shared tough experiences (pain). Going to the field for a week or more and actually have it challenging. When everyone comes back they usually are closer for a few weeks until it wears off. A lot times when a unit deploys to the mideast many of the soldiers leave the unit when soon after they return (get out or transfer) so they don't have chance to continue thier unit cohesion.

Unfortunately alcohol is a part of most military party functions. That being said members can’t really relax at unit functions because of zero tolerance policies.

Military is a reflection of civilian world. Getting on with the volunteer fire department in my community used to be extremely competitive- a relative had to die before you could get a shot. Now they have to advertise for members.