Posted on Aug 11, 2015
What are some of the best ways to keep Soldiers motivated during a deployment, especially if the deployment has been extremely challenging?
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Some deployments are worse than others and no matter how highly trained and dedicated your Soldiers might be, there are days where they might be down and out and need strong Leaders to help them stay motivated and focused.
Posted in these groups: 
Motivation
Deployment
Motivation Deployment
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 10
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Ok last post was slightly sarcastic. I've found that most people just want to be left alone. If they're not trouble makers, just leave them alone... They won't grow an inability to fight if they are in possession of a playboy... Of course no alcohol and no drugs... But not being an asshole with rules and regs is key.
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I can understand that. When I was still a NCO, I just checked up in my guys to make sure that they didn't need anything and I usually tried to get a overall feel for the platoon vibe a the moment. I never wanted to infringe on their free time if not necessary.
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SFC Nikhil Kumra
Exactly. Mandatory fun is never fun. Voluntary events are always a good way to gauge people's feelings and temperament, as well as identify any patterns of disengagement from others.
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Weapons drills, We used to put out a poncho inside a houch and see who could disassemble and reassemble an M-60, M-16 etc, etc. the fastest. Mainly for bragging rights. it also got you familiar with the weapon. Sorry 240 for the younger crowd! LOL
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SGT Bryon Sergent, thanks for responding. I remember doing things like that. I wore the heck out of my M16 taking it apart so much. We had guys who could it back together blind folded.
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Painting rocks, EIB training, moving rocks from one location to another, using a sat phone (this only works if your subordinates don't have a phone), restricting porn, pt belts, pt belts, health and welfare, pt belts, urinalysis, pt belts .... And pt belts.
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SFC Nikhil Kumra, thanks for responding, these are all great methods. Have I mentioned that wearing reflective PT belts is another moral boosting method too.
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SGT (Join to see)
But what doesn't tear a unit apart will bring them tighter, right? You always have to have a major antagonist. I feel like my sarcasm is getting too dark.
Seriously, though, sports always helps make outsiders feel like part of the group. Card and board games help. I remember trying to learn Spades. Now I know that a spade cuts everything. That's all I got.
Seriously, though, sports always helps make outsiders feel like part of the group. Card and board games help. I remember trying to learn Spades. Now I know that a spade cuts everything. That's all I got.
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Shared hardships by the leadership and presence on the patrols (mounted and dismounted) go a long way.
While deployed as a 1SG with 1-36 Infantry, one thing my Commander and I did while we were deployed on a 14+ month deployment in the Anbar province during the surge was we served chow to our men on every Sunday. and we made sure we went to every OP for special dinners and we brought them hot chow for each of these special meals - while it was a relatively small thing to do, we exposed ourselves to additional risk to make sure our men had a respite if even just for one meal, they knew we cared and were sharing hardship with them...it made it that much easier to continue fighting every day!
While deployed as a 1SG with 1-36 Infantry, one thing my Commander and I did while we were deployed on a 14+ month deployment in the Anbar province during the surge was we served chow to our men on every Sunday. and we made sure we went to every OP for special dinners and we brought them hot chow for each of these special meals - while it was a relatively small thing to do, we exposed ourselves to additional risk to make sure our men had a respite if even just for one meal, they knew we cared and were sharing hardship with them...it made it that much easier to continue fighting every day!
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CSM Michael J. Uhlig, thanks for responding. Hot chow is enough for me. I always could tell really quick which Command Teams really got it when it came to Soldier care. Having a hot meal in your belly goes along way and knowing that your CO and 1SG picked it up for you is a true bonus.
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SSgt Alex Robinson, thanks for responding. I agree 100%, anything to build unit cohesion and morale is a no brainer.
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A good old fashion football, softball or even kickball game seemed to help build comradarie in the troops when things got stressful.
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My Platoon would have "Cigar Night" every friday when we were deployed, it brought us all out to our little AO and let us unwind from the stressful week, we had a high op tempo and lost quite a few men and this was our way of dealing with it.
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GySgt John O'Donnell, thanks for responding. I've always been fascinated with the positive response that sports competitions bring to a units overall morale and welfare.
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