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For me, it was comedy. Finding a comedian, or two, to throw randome quotes from at opportune, or inopportune, times. Laughter, for me, was the best way to keep my own morale up, which in turn kept up the morale of my crews.
Marine Corps
Navy
Army
Deployment
Morale
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 17
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PO2 Rocky Kleeger
I swear to G-d I'm going to pistol whip the next guy who says, " Shenanigans."...LOL
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For me it was talking to my wife and kids as frequently as possible. I didn't get to talk every day, but I would try to make time before going to bed to talk to them daily. It worked out for them because I was able to call when it was daytime for them, and it worked out for me because I was done with my work for the day. I know a lot of people had the opposite point of view on this and called very infrequently because it was hard for them to be away for so long. As stressful as it may be, I think frequent communication is best. It also helped my kids when I came home, because I didn't become a complete stranger to them when I got back. It was also good for my wife because it kept me connected, however distant, and I at least knew what was going on back home.
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My co-workers bent sense of Humor, I was blessed to be in a Division full of Comedians. From the DIVO on down.
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PO2 Rocky Kleeger
That's great to hear. I usually got stuck with a CoC that had no sense of humor. Therefore, I wasn't very well liked by the goat locker
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Chances to talk to my wife even if it was once or twice a week.
Creating small mile stones, like resupply convoys to main camp or a up and coming event on AFN.
Gym was probably not just a morale boost but also a great stress reliever.
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Three things:
1. Being in contact with my significant other on a regular basis.
2. Joking around with the guys during lighter moments
3. NOT looking at the calendar or even counting backwards until I was AT LEAST half way done. Nothing sucks more than knowing this is your first day in country with 364 to go.
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PO2 Rocky Kleeger
I agree. I always wanted to beat those guys that would walk in every day with the count down soundly about the head and shoulders...
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1SG Michael Blount
PO2 - during my first tour in Iraq, absolutely nothing dragged on longer than the last, say, 3 weeks of my deployment. Rumor Central kept saying our replacements were getting closer (first, they left CONUS, then arrived in Kuwait, then a few days later were leaving for Baghdad, yadda yadda). I kept thinking "when the hell are they going to get here so I can leave!" That whole thing seemed to take forever in slow motion
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PO2 Rocky Kleeger
Well, every day I had to hear "XXX days and a wake up", I wanted to kick the guy in the nuts
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We use to play sports twice a week whenever mission permitted. We had our own ultimate football league. I was the NCOIC for the detachment and early own I realized that I had a huge challenge in my hands. I had my guys set small mile stones for each quarter of the deployment i.e. PT improvement, prep for boards month, quarter, promotion including Audi Murphy. I encourage th to try new things like learning guitar, or joining a book or bible club. Most importantly just be engage have compassion but still enforce standards.
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Doing my job, every day the same way, without the burden of some bored SNCO with a good idea fairy bolted to his/her shoulder to bother my high ops tempo kept my morale up.
Also, kopfta kabobs, cheap cuban cigars, and terrible crappy souvenirs at the kandahar board walk. When AAFES took over all tobacco sales on post I died a little inside.
Also, kopfta kabobs, cheap cuban cigars, and terrible crappy souvenirs at the kandahar board walk. When AAFES took over all tobacco sales on post I died a little inside.
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Boy there's alot of things I did to pass time but I'm sure that shit would get filtered out quick. So, I talked alot of shit, got as drunk as possible during port visits and had as many "friendships" with my female shipmates as often as possible.
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