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

NEVER had that problem in any of the units I was in during my 18 year's in the Army. But then again, I was in the Infantry. Also I was stationed in West Germany during the Cold War so we all knew just what was really at stake if we failed.

Go back to basics- men first mission always. Leaders instill duty before self by demonstration. Lead the way

When I was stationed at Oceana Va. in the mid 70's, in the base photo lab, we organized a volleyball game everyday during our lunch break, and got everyone involved from E-8 down to E-1. Served a couple of purposes it got everyone involved and got everyone some much needed exercise. Also promoted some healthy competition.

Define "pride" as it pertains to this discussion. Are we talking about an emotional sensation or a simple professionalism that encourages a soldier to do excellent work?

I think the age of "rah-rah" esprit de corps may be dead, and that's not necessarily a bad thing. If an adult citizen had fully understand the strengths and weakness, successes and failures of an organization or, for that matter, a nation, and still commit to the unit's success, then that's a useful version of pride.

As an Army nurse we are not only taught the history of Army nursing but the history of our Unit. When we put on the uniform we are then a part of that history. It is our duty to present ourselves in the manner that continues to bring pride to the Nurse Corps.

I was in the Old Army. Joined the Army Reserve in 1988. There was no problem keeping our pride in our Unit or what we were doing. I am at a loss as to the types of people I see responding on websites that say they are military. All I can say, not the Military I was in. My last tour ended in 2004 and I must say, even though my DD214 says I can still be called up, I don't know how I would react to anyone who disrespects our military.

1# If there is going to be mandatory FUN it should be Fun not Forced Misery.
2# Give the Troops real input on the fun.
3# Keep the OFFICER SPOUSE we are better that the enlisted Spouse Shit out of it.
That is the Main problem with F.R.G. in most Commands.
4# Have real things for Faimlys and Single troops to do.
5#The Picnics Are almost allways a Failure.
If ther are any Amusement parks or Water parks There ARE group rates And the Take a Few larg groups at a time so those that have C.Q. and Staff Dutys can go.
Use some unit funds, M.W.R. funds and the troops pay the rest.
Plain a head and check with the hotels near the parks for group rates.

With short Deployement rotations, And long train ups.
So This would be GREAT COMP TIME.
You will make your troops Happy and They will make the command happy.

I think the biggest problem I see with my soldiers. No expects anything out of them. They don't feel like, as a unit, we accomplish anything. There's so many things we can't do for "saftey" so most of the ideas soldiers throw out get knocked back. I don't know if it's only my unit but that's what they've been telling me and what I saw when I was in there shoes.

It's been a long time since my days on active duty and Commitment wasn't a Problem in Any of the Units that I was a Part of but I can Understand the Pressures that Our Current Military Faces with So Many Deployments and I Hurt inside Because of It.

Way back when I was gifted with a company of laborers, highest awoken rate, most arrests, etc. We begged the Battalion for a steady job and we were given an chemical warehouse to run. Within 3 months we were a proud unit with lowest DR rate in battalion. Pride develops when our soldier's can see accomplishments and be given responsibility with attainable goals.

When I was in the Marine Corps, there was no option. All Company activities were mandatory attend events.