What are a few ways to bring morale up in the beginning of a deployment?

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 21:01:53 -0400

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jun 26 at 2017 9:31 PM

Cpl Justin Goolsby — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 21:31:03 -0400

One of the standards was in house competitions. So we'd know where we are at physically before the deployment. Then we'd make a competition out of it. Who can increase performance the most. Who can lift the most. Who can run the fastest. The list goes on and on. One, it obviously helps keeping in peak physical shape. Two, it helps keep the mind off the deployment. Time is a killer, so it's good to keep engaged.

Response by TSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2017 9:47 PM

TSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 21:47:53 -0400

like Cpl Goolsby said, competition. learn some good card games while you're at it. spades, rummy, 5 card stud. i'd also recommend reading up on how people keep entertained in prison. the cons who write that stuff have come up with some pretty genius ways to keep your mind occupied.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jun 27 at 2017 1:20 AM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 01:20:17 -0400

Ours was pretty simple; work hard and then play hard. Also your orientation needs to be different. You don't have to do CONUS Crap for a while so do the unique. Try most everything. Meet some new folk. Even if it's not in theater, do as much as you can outside the fence. We used to work 6 Tens as baseline in Antarctica but when we're on traverse, sleep is your only time off as the rest of it is spent working and staying alive. In that mode time blurs. Now during the deployment, make sure you do whatever group contests. Sports, cards, darts. Do that with people around you. Get off that damn internet chat. Guaranteed to slow time to a crawl.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Jun 27 at 2017 5:15 AM

SSG Warren Swan — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 05:15:15 -0400

Keep up the OPTEMPO, art15's, porn, praise, and downtime. When they stop bitchin, all hell's about to blow wide open.

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made Jun 27 at 2017 8:37 AM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 08:37:14 -0400

As much as I hated the man, one of my first sergeants was great at keeping up morale. Unit BBQs, volleyball competitions, combatives tournaments... You name it, the guy did it. I think something important though that takes very little effort is to make sure that soldiers are not ran completely ragged. A little bit of downtime to unwind and relax at the end of the day can do wonders for morale. It is amazing how not having anything to do for a few hours, the ability to take a proper shower and hang out by the CHUs with your friends, has a lasting impact on morale.

Response by Sgt Wayne Wood made Jun 27 at 2017 1:38 PM

Sgt Wayne Wood — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 13:38:35 -0400

Staff & Officers call (at the O club)... cook-out/field day for the snuffies. All within a week of mount-out... something to remember...

Response by SSG Steve Knox made Jun 27 at 2023 6:14 AM

SSG Steve Knox — Tue, 27 Jun 2023 06:14:56 -0400

Build comradery and trust with your platoon, squad or team. My squad came up with personal "click" words that would make you smile on those down days...a name, place or thing. Mine was "cars". This will be a huge payoff while deployed. If OPSEC allows, keep in touch with those that boost your morale.