Should we bring back pay day activities?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 04:25:56 -0400

Some units are bringing back payday activities to try and bring back discipline and Esprit De Corps. Do you think this is a good thing or a waste of time?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2014 4:31 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 04:31:42 -0400

Does anyone know how to get all of that extra stuff off of this question or erase and try to start over? I am new to this Thank you

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2014 5:26 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 05:26:59 -0400

For me, payday activities never went away. My units, all three I was ever assigned to, did them. They weren't always regularly scheduled, and as often as not with little notice, but we did them. <br><br>To answer if I think it's a waste of time, absolutely not. It gives junior soldiers an opportunity to wear their dress uniform, and the task of putting the uniform together properly is reinforced. It takes attention to detail, and is a training opportunity for NCOs. You'd be amazed how many junior soldiers are out there that have no idea what it is they wear on their chest. <br>

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 29 at 2014 5:18 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 17:18:35 -0400

I'm a fan of payday activities. There are things I need to do during the week that I can't because I'm at work. Getting off a few hours early once in awhile because of payday activities allows me to knock the things out that I normally wouldn't be able to.

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 30 at 2014 9:00 AM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Jun 2014 09:00:09 -0400

I have been in the 82nd fir almost four years and without fail we do payday activities almost every month. Its a day for you to look good in your dress blues do some DNC and then get off by noon. We all complain sometimes but it really isn't that bad.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2014 2:58 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 01 Aug 2014 14:58:14 -0400

I did not know that pay day activities had disappeared. Although I've been in Afghan land since late 2013, my unit back in the rear always had payday activities one pay day a month, usually the 15th or the Friday of that week, but it was always on a Friday. We would all go in our dress blues, have our formation and get inspected by the 1SG, and by noon or 1300 we were done for the day. When I get back to my unit in the rear I'll see if they are still doing it.

Response by COL Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2014 6:31 PM

COL Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 18:31:28 -0400

Depends on what the desired effect is. We do them here and the day starts with a unit run, then ASU inspection and then focused on counseling and other administrative tasks. These are always on a final day of the week, so there is early release per Corps policy. I'd tell you if you were trying to increase discipline and esprit de corps, there are better more effective ways to do so. If you are looking to accomplish the things that are mandated on payday activities, then it sounds like a great idea. One issue with bringing somehting back from "the old days" is that it may not accomplish what it used to accomplish. As someone has already laid out, there was a reason for it back in the day. Today, it's more about the other things that can be set aside and mandated to get done. Always start with the reason why you are doing something...then work backwards. Don't initiate a task simply for the sake of the task thinking it will accomplish something that is implicit to you (the commander)...if you can't articulate what it is going to accomplish...perhaps you are doing things for the wrong reasons.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 2 at 2014 8:03 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 20:03:57 -0400

I never knew they went away. It was a great time to actually soldier. We are all caught up in our duties that we forget what soldiering is. It is not just putting on a uniform and going to work in a building. Many lessons can be learned from such activities. I don't think the Army does this enough.

Response by 1SG Dustin Springer made Sep 8 at 2014 1:36 PM

1SG Dustin Springer — Mon, 08 Sep 2014 13:36:25 -0400

I think payday activities are excellent. I remember as a young Soldier it was a day to have my leaders ensure my uniform was in accordance with 670-1 and to complete my monthly counseling. With all the deployments the Army has went away from them. I know Soldiers that havent worn there ASU's for years and most dont fit. By us doing this gives us an opportunity to ensure they fit and everything is placed on the uniform properly. We started doing them in Korea as I was leaving and it was surprising the amount of Senior NCO's that had no idea how badges, ribbions, or the combat indentification badge was placed on the uniform hence for the field AAR comments from the SFC board stating awards placed in the wrong precendence.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 12 at 2014 9:16 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 12 Sep 2014 09:16:45 -0400

When I was still at Ft. Bragg, we always did payday activities. In my current unit, I have not had one, but our new LTC just instituted them

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 2 at 2014 4:41 PM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 02 Oct 2014 16:41:18 -0400

Pay day activities is part of our tradition. Although some units may not have it in their battle rhythm, I believe it brings back the professionalism and discipline where our foundation and our roots starts in being a Soldier.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 7:59 PM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 19:59:18 -0400

From what I am gathering this is some sort of "come to work in dress uniform day and have classes on military history?". I'm in the Navy and judging by who all is responding I don't know what this is? If someone would enlighten me, I always find it interesting to learn about other branches' custom and courtesies. Thank you.

Response by SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA made Jan 31 at 2015 3:13 PM

SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA — Sat, 31 Jan 2015 15:13:03 -0500

I forgot all about those! It was a great day every month!

Response by CPT Ahmed Faried made Feb 26 at 2015 9:21 PM

CPT Ahmed Faried — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 21:21:58 -0500

I think it never truly left the Army. Some Army units have been doing it throughout. The 10th Mountain has had a dedicated day for it for as long as I've been stationed with them.

Response by WO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 26 at 2015 9:52 PM

WO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 26 Feb 2015 21:52:21 -0500

Payday activities are a great thing. In my short amount of time in the army, I believe it can help those soldiers who have only worn the service uniform during basic and AIT. The experience of wearing the uniform can make you feel more confident when it comes time for Soldier of the Month and promotion boards.

Response by SPC Christopher Smith made Feb 27 at 2015 1:18 PM

SPC Christopher Smith — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 13:18:57 -0500

I'm sure I'm in the minority when I say let them go. If you can give someone an early release for a dog and pony show, just give it to them anyway. The show doesn't do as much for increased morale as the end result, the extra personal time.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 27 at 2015 1:31 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 13:31:34 -0500

If it is, as you say, to re-enforce discipline and establish a higher level of Esprit de Corps, then it is absolutely a good idea. If the units are doing it simply because they want more days where they have a reason to ge off early, then no, it's a waste of time because nothing worthwhile is being accomplished. Payday activities stems back to the days of written payroll checks, and on the first Friday of the month, those checks were distributed to the troops around lunch chow time, hence the noon release time. Going back to that to reinstate tradition and Esprit de Corps is a good thing. We need more pride and honor in our service to be displayed and instilled in our soldiers.

Response by LT Jessica Kellogg made Feb 27 at 2015 1:59 PM

LT Jessica Kellogg — Fri, 27 Feb 2015 13:59:31 -0500

Anyone care to explain to the non Army crowd what this is?

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 1 at 2015 7:10 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 19:10:22 -0500

As an MP, we never did Payday Activities, because we were either working the road or already released early because we got out of the Field.

Response by SFC William Bailey made Mar 1 at 2015 8:54 PM

SFC William Bailey — Sun, 01 Mar 2015 20:54:36 -0500

It never went away at Fort Bragg. A unit has to request prior permission to get out of Pay Day Activities.