What are some things you've implemented at your units to to make new joins feel welcome and motivated?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 14:46:52 -0400

Even though I had only been with my national guard unit for a few months, going to an AT right at the beginning introduced me many of the people in not only my battery but in the battalion! A month after our returned I gained my fair share of respect from junior soldiers as well as senior soldiers. I got tasked with showing a few of our new joins around and introducing them to key leaders. What are ways that units make new joins feel welcome and keep them motivated.

Response by MAJ Javier Rivera made Mar 14 at 2019 3:24 PM

MAJ Javier Rivera — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 15:24:48 -0400

As a company commander, the protocol I had was very simple: I met new soldiers immediately as they arrived to the unit. It was Regular Army therefore I new the new arrivals schedule from the replacement company.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 14 at 2019 4:29 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Thu, 14 Mar 2019 16:29:42 -0400

We gave newbies sponsors.

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Mar 15 at 2019 12:02 AM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Fri, 15 Mar 2019 00:02:35 -0400

Give them a tough (but not unreasonable) challenge, right out of the gate, and give them a fun thing upon completion.
Example: Friday morning starting with PT will be a Land Nav/Ruck March/CTT event. Here is your map, navigate from station to station with your ruck on, and at each station, you have to do a CTT task. When you get to the last station, you are done. Set it up so it takes until lunchtime. Then, have a surprise release for the weekend and BBQ set up at the finish line.

Gives them a sense of cohesion AND a sense of accomplishment right from jump.