What are some of the little things your leadership has done to boost morale in everyday situations?

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 14:45:48 -0400

This last weekend, my 1SG asked what kind of music he could play during our APFT. I requested 90s hip-hop, and that's what he did. He drove slowly passed us, blasting "Let the Boys be Boys" and "Push It", while yelling out the window at the runners. It was a small gesture that let me know that he'll can be a hardass when the time calls for it, as well as be considerate when we don't give him a reason to be a hardass.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Jun 26 at 2018 3:19 PM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 15:19:45 -0400

SSG Private RallyPoint Member: I save lives.

Response by CWO3 Randy Weston made Jun 26 at 2018 3:26 PM

CWO3 Randy Weston — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 15:26:29 -0400

Specifically for PFT, I did mine at the same time with all my guys and gals. Had a standing competition that anyone who could beat me in the run received an extra day of liberty.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 26 at 2018 4:15 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 16:15:22 -0400

I use to send my soldiers to fly with the MEDEVAC helicopters. I inspected them for a Kevlar helmet, ID tags, and issued them a barf bag from the airlines. I have more examples if you want to message me.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 26 at 2018 5:10 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 26 Jun 2018 17:10:04 -0400

I never got to see a funny side. Other than my BC (SSG) being called by the 1SG and having to stand at parade rest while he was absolutely ripped to pieces! It was fun for me at least. Never did see that SSG after that.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Jun 27 at 2018 7:57 AM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 07:57:29 -0400

put in mini café or sell food in your dayroom for the soldiers/

Response by TSgt David Desmarais made Jun 27 at 2018 10:57 AM

TSgt David Desmarais — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 10:57:24 -0400

I never took much and as I later found out leading a team of NCO's sometimes less is more. What always pumped me up was when my supervisor would simply pull me aside or pick up the phone and say "thank you" or "we couldn't get it done without you" Simple recognition always meant a lot and fueled me. When I was a flight chief silly awards like my "tiger or shark" of the day/week award seemed to break the monotony. "cut backs" (sending people home early) were big. I once got a minor league baseball team to give up an unoccupied suite during a mid week game and we held our team meeting at the park during a game. I've always enjoyed finding ways to take care of my team. I think it was Hap Arnold who said "Take care of the people and they will take care of the mission" This quote has proved priceless.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 27 at 2018 10:16 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 27 Jun 2018 22:16:24 -0400

Absolutely NOTHING

Response by CW2 Michael Bodnar made Nov 5 at 2018 3:04 PM

CW2 Michael Bodnar — Mon, 05 Nov 2018 15:04:33 -0500

Being in the National Guard is challenging because you only see your Soldiers once a month. Our unit just came back from a deployment and we immediately went through a Change of Command at the company and battalion levels. We're also in a reset year but our OPTEMPO has increased ten fold which doesn't allow for any of our Soldiers to attend their respective leadership schools and get promoted. To say our morale is low is an understatement. Our new Company CDR asked for ways we can improve morale and it was not easy. We recently went to the rifle range at AP Hill VA and it rained the entire time. We had to conduct NBC and night qualification in addition to the normal pop up targets. There was a miscommunication amongst the leadership and our folks only had one night of how chow (it was a 3 day drill weekend) and boy did we hear about it. I came up with an idea of having hot chow for our Soldiers when we returned to our armory in MD and I started gathering money. I went to Mission BBQ and got food for everyone, had it delivered, and set up prior to the bus getting back to the armory. The Soldiers were cold, hungry, and tired but when they saw warm food, they were ecstatic. That was their highlight to a crappy weekend and a few of them even personally thanked the CDR prior to being released from drill. I always tell my leadership that it's the little things Soldiers remember and thus far, this had a positive impact on them. We plan on continuing to do these types of things in the future.