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At some point in our careers we've all participated in an event or that we were "voluntold" for (fill in the blank). So, what's your thoughts on the practice, what memories do you have from a particular event, or just feel free to share your most entertaining stories on the matter. This should be a real blast folks, I'm absolutely sure there are some "mandatorily" awesome tales out there (both big and small) of our all time favorite military subject... mandatory fun! So, let's take a stroll down memory lane together here folks; now, pull up a laptop and let the mandatory fun begin! lol
Motivation
NCOs
Officers
Mandatory
Fun
Edited 11 y ago
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 26
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MSG Sommer Brown
I agree military balls are the worst and they require you to wear your uniform which is extremely uncomfortable. What about family day where they try and make it about the family but is it really about the family. The ones I have attended seem like there intent is different and what do they do for those that don't have family other than make them very uncomfortable hanging out with those that do or they are the ones working during that time.
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Cpl Peter Martuneac
The only ball I ever had to attend was the Marine Corps birthday ball, and ours was in Vegas so it didn't take much coaxing to get us there. Plus, I paid good money for my dress blues, and they're just so darn sharp, that I'll definitely take any chance to wear them.
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On the carriers in which I served "you either attended Steel Beach or stand watch!" You know which way I went! Two cans of (weak)beer or water--you know which way I went--after 38 days in the Indian Ocean without dry land touching my calloused feet.
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In a sick sorta way I see the point of mandatory fun... though it usually isn't fun at the time or the after actions aren't...
When I was a specialist my company commander had us attend a mandatory fun evening BBQ... but turned out to be a good time. Everyone partied as hard as we were 'allowed' (most exceeded the limits of common sense). Finally around 2 or 3 in the morning the good time ended and off to bed to enjoy the off day...
At 0500 we were woke up for a fun run. Most of us were beyond the ability to see straight but had to go for a short several mile jog in the morning air...
When I was a specialist my company commander had us attend a mandatory fun evening BBQ... but turned out to be a good time. Everyone partied as hard as we were 'allowed' (most exceeded the limits of common sense). Finally around 2 or 3 in the morning the good time ended and off to bed to enjoy the off day...
At 0500 we were woke up for a fun run. Most of us were beyond the ability to see straight but had to go for a short several mile jog in the morning air...
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Mandatory fun? Hey, oxymoron or not, might as well MAKE the light of it! It's "designed" to be enjoyable. What good are you if you act all stiff and awkward, making others and higher ups feel less entertained as well?
Every time we have 'mandatory fun', I let it go, have a good time, stay sober, strike up some good conversations, play some ball, frisbee, and whatever else. Not every day you get to chill like that with your command, so have at it!
Every time we have 'mandatory fun', I let it go, have a good time, stay sober, strike up some good conversations, play some ball, frisbee, and whatever else. Not every day you get to chill like that with your command, so have at it!
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SGT (Join to see)
I never minded 'em. Some of those days were better than others. Last MFD, we had softball tournaments, BBQ, music, and a few beers. Last year, we got to go on a float trip down the river. Good times.
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Mandatory fun as an enlisted member and later, as an commander, was exactly the same: mandatory fun. However, I always tried to use the time for a celebration of actual or contrived awards, achievements to also bring corporate praise to the unit. Tried to have the families present to also thank them for support and praise their spouses individually in casual conversation. I, also, tried to use that time to allow the senior officers and CSMs to connect with our folks. The final touch of making it as short as possible always seemed to reap a somewhat positive result.
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PO1 (Join to see)
Sir, well said. You reap what you sow. You come to 'mandatory fun' with jolly good attitude, you'll have FUN.
You come all stiff, awkward look, trying to act 'cool' but in reality look like a fool, you won't enjoy it, and it WILL turn into 'mandatory'. So everyone has a choice. But public recognitions are always great!
You come all stiff, awkward look, trying to act 'cool' but in reality look like a fool, you won't enjoy it, and it WILL turn into 'mandatory'. So everyone has a choice. But public recognitions are always great!
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The FRG. I don't know why they force single soldiers to go, it literally has nothing to do with us.
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SGT Suraj Dave
That makes sense though. I do not understand why single soldiers have to go. Single soldiers get the shaft for literally everything. FRG should be the one thing made to inconvenience married people, yet they find a way to inconvenience single soldiers for no reason.
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CW3 (Join to see)
Family Readiness Group should be for the families, not for the soldiers in that unit. No soldier should be forced to go to the FRG.
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loved the day trips to sea for family and loved ones we put our best foot forward so all the married sailors and ones with family near enough to come for one day at sea watching flight ops and making massive lines at the head and chow hall so the rest of us could stand a 12 to 14 hour watch to keep the floating city running smooth. fun fun fun!
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My unit has started doing mandatory "fun" team building exercises once a month... but the best part is that we actually get input as to what we think is "fun" so it usually is (for most of us...)
Once, we went to play paintball... had a BLAST (pardon the pun) and really did grow closer together as a team...
Just this past Thursday was another one... GAME DAY... a couple of the guys brought their game systems and board games... we had 4-player call-of-duty and 2-player madden going, as well as a fun card game... unfortunately we had one sourpuss who wanted to play "I'm taking a nap", but most of us enjoyed ourselves...
Once, we went to play paintball... had a BLAST (pardon the pun) and really did grow closer together as a team...
Just this past Thursday was another one... GAME DAY... a couple of the guys brought their game systems and board games... we had 4-player call-of-duty and 2-player madden going, as well as a fun card game... unfortunately we had one sourpuss who wanted to play "I'm taking a nap", but most of us enjoyed ourselves...
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SGT (Join to see)
They even offer us an alternative... if you don't want to attend (even as a spectator), then you can just work...
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SGT (Join to see)
Oh, and they try to plan them so that those who would like to drink adult beverages may!
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20 years in the Navy, I saw everything from, prior to direct deposit, paychecks being brought to squadron picnics. I did my PRT in the late 90's at a squadron picnic and drank beer after.
One of my squadrons had 2 battle E's and the safety S on the tail the year we had the lowest retention rate in the wing. E-6 and below HATED the kakhis and didn't trust them any farther than they could throw them. That year, almost nobody bought squadron Christmas party tickets, we were told "go, or work." Most of us said we'd rather work and weren't bluffing.
This squadron worked VERY hard but was abused. To any senior enlisted out there who think intimidation works, it usually gets you back in the end.
One of my squadrons had 2 battle E's and the safety S on the tail the year we had the lowest retention rate in the wing. E-6 and below HATED the kakhis and didn't trust them any farther than they could throw them. That year, almost nobody bought squadron Christmas party tickets, we were told "go, or work." Most of us said we'd rather work and weren't bluffing.
This squadron worked VERY hard but was abused. To any senior enlisted out there who think intimidation works, it usually gets you back in the end.
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At a previous base the clinic just had their inspection, and it was made up of three squadrons. Right after the inspection results, you were given an option of staying behind at work or going to mandatory fun. One squadron stayed back and had a BBQ to shoot the breeze I know for a fact. The other two, well we had to go to the bowling alley and that sucked. I didn't want to pay $$$ to bowl so I sat around and talked with a few people. It took forever until we could leave. We had no patients scheduled and we busted our butts; all of us wanted to go home. I do recall my supervisor who was about to get out, dipped and drove home and got paperwork but he didn't care.
The next year, a few days after I hit the road for my PCS, there was a clinic picnic which happened to fall on my birthday. Had I left later that month I may have been pressured to go. They were OK... if it was a duty day but this one fell on a Saturday.
The next year, a few days after I hit the road for my PCS, there was a clinic picnic which happened to fall on my birthday. Had I left later that month I may have been pressured to go. They were OK... if it was a duty day but this one fell on a Saturday.
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