Posted on Jun 15, 2018
What do I do to help with the "problem child" in my unit? How do I motivate him and others to do their job better?
5.05K
83
38
10
10
0
I have a soldier in my company that is failing PT tests consistently, getting the rest of us in trouble by being FTR multiple times, has problems understanding what it asked of him, and cannot seem to maintain any motivation. Others are getting tired of him and just want him to quit. It's like everyone's given up on him.
I have offered my weekends to help get him back into shape on his run, have made multiple attempts to take him under my wing and help improve his job performance and there is always an excuse as to why he cannot do something. He spends all of his pay on pizza, junk food, and women. I want to help this soldier out because it seems like he has given up on himself and honestly I just think he needs motivation.
I know I'm just a PFC but I'd like any tips from a NCOs, officers, team leaders, etc that can help me motivate this soldier into improving himself and to motivate others when I hopefully become an NCO and inevitably have this situation spring up again. Thanks.
I have offered my weekends to help get him back into shape on his run, have made multiple attempts to take him under my wing and help improve his job performance and there is always an excuse as to why he cannot do something. He spends all of his pay on pizza, junk food, and women. I want to help this soldier out because it seems like he has given up on himself and honestly I just think he needs motivation.
I know I'm just a PFC but I'd like any tips from a NCOs, officers, team leaders, etc that can help me motivate this soldier into improving himself and to motivate others when I hopefully become an NCO and inevitably have this situation spring up again. Thanks.
Posted in these groups: 
APFT
Leadership Development
APFT Leadership Development
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 21
13
13
0
You cannot save someone who doesn't want to improve. See if you can find out why he joined and if there is a reason there that can be used to encourage him. The question is what happened between basic and now since he would have washed out with this behaviour and attitude
(13)
(0)
SPC Erich Guenther
Agree, except with the Dr. Phil stuff. Get him Chaptered if he doesn't want your help he made a decision to volunteer and a commitment to meet standards. He is breeching his contract if he is not pulling his weight in the Platoon.
(2)
(0)
Lt Col Charlie Brown
SPC Erich Guenther sometimes if you ask, you can turn someone around. We spent money and time training him, why throw him away if he's reparable?
(4)
(0)
SPC Erich Guenther
Lt Col Charlie Brown - Thats one of the the big issues with the Army though when it comes to Chaptering people they are too reluctant to do so and wear out or wear down good soldiers by attempting to salvage a bad one. I am willing to bet the Army spends a lot more money with the attempted salvage then they do if they just would have Chaptered the guy to begin with. Army needs better guidelines in this area AND an expedited chapter process that dumps the Soldier back on the street in a few weeks vs a few months (which would result in better discipline because justice delayed is justice denied the rest of us who have to cover for these idiots). I think once the Soldier cops and attitude and stops cooperating with attempts to reform them, time to say good bye.
(0)
(0)
Lt Col Charlie Brown
SPC Erich Guenther I put out a couple of troops under 180 day rule. I also denied reenlistment to a few others but not without sorting out what was going on first.
(0)
(0)
9
9
0
Like those above me have said, you can’t help him if he doesn’t want the help. You can try, try and try some more but at the end he is still going to do what he wants. Which from what you’ve said isn’t much. Honestly at this point he prob thought that the army is a “free ride” and needs to be chaptered. I do aplude you for trying as a PFC.
(9)
(0)
6
6
0
Some times you can give all of yourself to that soldier ie free time, mentoring etc and they just don’t want to change. What has your leadership done to assist him? If it’s a failure to adapt situation then your command needs to address that. Just be his friend, battle buddy... sometimes that’s all a guy needs to get his act together
Otherwise it’s time to stop wasting the military’s money and have him chaptered..
Otherwise it’s time to stop wasting the military’s money and have him chaptered..
(6)
(0)
PFC (Join to see)
As far as I know he has received counselings, verbal reprimands, corrective training, and has been told numerous times what is expected of him. He had been assigned to remedial PT but since then he keeps getting a profile to malinger on.
I'll try my best to be a good friend to him. He's a good guy. Just not a great soldier at this point. He must've been a good soldier and met the standard before which is why I didn't want to give up on him but you're right: sometimes you gotta cut the fat and chapter them.
I'll try my best to be a good friend to him. He's a good guy. Just not a great soldier at this point. He must've been a good soldier and met the standard before which is why I didn't want to give up on him but you're right: sometimes you gotta cut the fat and chapter them.
(2)
(0)
SPC Erich Guenther
PFC (Join to see) - So if you tried Mr. Hyde.......it is long overdue for Dr. Jeykl and get him on the Chapter list. Start to make his life a living hell.
(1)
(0)
Read This Next
Continue with Facebook 
Continue with Google