What's the best way to show my appreciation for my junior enlisted?

2016-12-30T22:05:55-05:00

What's the best way to show my appreciation for my junior Soldiers? I tell them, I attempt to protect their time and use it efficiently for training, and give my due diligence to awards and promotion? Is there anything I'm missing? My platoon is phenomenal, I just want to return their efforts.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2016 10:17 PM

2016-12-30T22:17:14-05:00

Do your soldiers come to you for advice, do they greet you cheerfully and take time to check with you at the close of day? Do you feel a sense of espriit de corps with the platoon? If these kinds of things are happening, then you have already earned their respect as a leader.

I think just gathering them together informally and letting them know that you appreciate them is enough.

Just continue to have their backs and you will continue to show them that they are valuable

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 30 at 2016 11:23 PM

2016-12-30T23:23:11-05:00

Perhaps when the schedule and OPTEMPO allows it.....a platoon bbq......with the meats and goodies paid for by you and your LT.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Dec 31 at 2016 12:30 AM

2016-12-31T00:30:26-05:00

It's the unexpected that counts. A cooler full of ice cream on a hot day coming back from a ball buster. Pool time on a hot day. I'm OK with the BBQ mentioned by another member but they tend to be more planned and can taint of "command performance". Everything in moderation. PRCA rodeo comes around, go for it. The list is endless. Don't forget, a community project with a meal afterwards breaks up the routine. Most SMs just want to be acknowledged as there and as humans. Treat everyone as much more than that.

Response by SFC David McMahon made Dec 31 at 2016 4:10 AM

2016-12-31T04:10:23-05:00

Probably the best way to answer your question (and worth the hour to watch)

https://youtu.be/ldh8E6LCLhM

Simon Sinek on How to Get People to Follow You - Inside Quest

Are leaders made or born? Author and TED speaker Simon Sinek dispels myths about leadership and reveals the one thing that good leaders always get right on t...

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2016 8:47 AM

2016-12-31T08:47:54-05:00

First off it is obvious you're ahead of the curve just by posting this question.

While I do not have the leadership experience you do I can say this:
Everyone wants to feel important. (Give a high priority tasker)
Everyone wants to feel appreciated. (Hearing "Great Job or "Thank you!" goes miles)
Everyone wants to be recognized. (Positive counselings, Letters of Commendation, etc)

If you are busting your hump to make sure your Soldiers promote, receive deserved awards, are given opportunities to advance their training, have maximum liberty without hindering the mission, and have the ability to approach you about anything, then you have nothing to worry about. If we had more leaders that were willing to see their juniors as more than just subordinates we would be a much more efficient military.

- Doc

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Dec 31 at 2016 11:05 AM

2016-12-31T11:05:09-05:00

Good responses by everyone but in my experience, just being there for them at all times is the single most important thing. Along with that is allowing your troops to take credit for their accomplishments and not heaping successes upon yourself.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 31 at 2016 11:31 AM

2016-12-31T11:31:40-05:00

I try to check in on them from time to time even when they are not my Soldiers anymore and have moved on to a new assignment or gotten out of the Army.
Thing is, I value them for who they are, not just what they can do for me as a team member.

Response by CPL(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 1 at 2017 4:35 AM

2017-01-01T04:35:25-05:00

The day a PSG gave me tasks that were above my paygrade and didn't make it sound like a test of faith and I was only given the task, and idea of execution. I worked harder, I didn't see myself as a disposable worker bee. I was given a chance to excel and for that I respected him more than any other NCO. Before long, I was asking him what I can do to get into BLC, get to the board etc. He was short, simple and I felt as if he genuinely cared.

That made me feel good, and I happily filled whatever shoes set before me. Then I saw how to not only know the NCO Creed, but understand it. Taking inititive was a big one. I wasn't just another soldier who needed to be checked on every weekend. I was the soldier who was asked to assist with barracks checks, help fresh from AIT soldiers get acquainted with the base and eventually given Team Leader down range and recently, CPL while I work to get my points.

What it came down to was not dishing out awards, I in fact have 3 and they're all end of tour AAMs. I'm not salty, because I know when I come to work I'm appreciated, and expected to do something and I know it could be a challenge, but it's not just "unpack this connex" or "run that truck in the motorpool for 4 hours for PMCS" I was hungry for real work, and I got it.

Response by LTC Orlando Illi made Jan 1 at 2017 11:55 AM

2017-01-01T11:55:26-05:00

When I was a Private - long before OCS - I looked up to my NCOs. I never wanted much - other then to be informed that I was performing my duties in a satisfactory manner and to not e treated like a recruit. When I became a Troop XO in the Cav and received a jeep and driver (he was as young PV2) - I told him on day one - that he was my driver/radio operator/armorer and partner when we were in the field. The smile on his face said it all. It goes back to what my Dad told me (WWII Chief Machinists Mate) - your people are your responsibility. All they want is to be respected and given the chance to succeed.

Response by Col Dona Marie Iversen made Jan 1 at 2017 12:32 PM

2017-01-01T12:32:18-05:00

Impromptu BBQ, pizza party, ask how their families are, their extracurricular activities are going, support their efforts if they are advancing education (personalized conversations) go a long way. Request the CC officer come in for a few minute "I want to acknowledge all of you for....

Continue to lead by example, be human and respectful to all regardless of rank!

Keep up your A+ style!

VR,
Dona

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Jan 3 at 2017 10:17 AM

2017-01-03T10:17:58-05:00

Honestly, it sounds like you're hitting all the wickets. You obviously don't want to be too buddy buddy with them because then they could abuse your trust. It honestly sounds like you have a platoon born out of mutual respect. They respect you because you appreciate them kind of thing.

Response by MSG Dan Castaneda made Jan 4 at 2017 10:45 AM

2017-01-04T10:45:40-05:00

The best thing you can do for them is give them your very best. Listen to them, but challenge them. Don't be the leader that everyone loves. Be the leader that will always be remembered.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2017 10:48 AM

2017-01-10T10:48:38-05:00

One of the most important things I do is tell my Soldiers that, everything I tell you is all I know. I will never withhold information simply to have that feeling of power ("...I will never leave you uninformed...." sound familiar??), it accomplishes nothing except lowering morale and it's a huge pet peeve of mine when it comes to leadership. I interact with my Soldiers, ask how they are doing, ask about their families, school, work, etc. It's really the simple things like that, that really matter. It shows that you actually care. I love my job, I love what I do, I love taking care of my troops and guiding them, watching them grow into junior leaders. Showing respect for your Soldiers as a person is a small gesture that will have big rewards.
I also have a phenomenal detachment. We recently returned from Afghanistan. We made unit t-shirts and I, and my LT, purchased one for all our Soldiers. We had an ugly sweater contest for Christmas, celebrated all the holidays actually and always celebrated everyone's birthdays, allowed them to "dress down" in PT's in the office on Sundays (half days), and rewarded hard work with time off/down time.
Now that we are back stateside I have moved on to another detachment within the unit, but I still maintain my standards and they are a great group as well. In return, my Soldiers continually check in on me as well. I found it's the small things that they appreciate the most, i.e. bringing in coffee and donuts randomly (I personally include fruit as well!). Take care of them, and they will do the same. I appreciate that fact that my Soldiers are not afraid to come talk to me. I don't feel the need to be intimidating, I feel the need to be approachable.

Like someone else already stated, the fact that you're even asking this question shows your true character. Keep it up, SFC!

Response by CPO Earl Jones made Jan 10 at 2017 11:24 AM

2017-01-10T11:24:06-05:00

If possible give them time off. When things were slow, each day I would cut a couple people lose a few hours early .

Response by TSgt Daniel Wareham made Jan 10 at 2017 12:18 PM

2017-01-10T12:18:09-05:00

One of my best supervisors surprised me on my Anniversary but giving me the following day off. I was scheduled to work the weekend, a typical 12 to 14 hour day that started at 6am. Knowing that I would have to either cut the evening short with my wife, move the night out to another night, or just be working tired the next day, he gave me the day off.

He did the same for another whose child had a birthday on their weekend. I gladly volunteered to work it for him. He knew when our families needed us to spend time with them and he did his best to make sure that we had that time if at all possible.

Didn't cost him anything out of his pocket, but is sure built up moral. And the single guys who had no family in the area? He knew where their interests lie and did what he could for them also. Golf tournament in playing? Diving events, ball games, even hobby conventions, first weekend of hunting season or fishing season. Yep he knew what people considered important and did what he could to ensure they could participate.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 10 at 2017 1:32 PM

2017-01-10T13:32:46-05:00

Simple, TRAIN THEM! The best reward is success and our infamy as NCO's is soldiers joining the backbone of the military, the NCO Core. That way they can have the pride, privlage and burden of leading from the front one day for themselves.

Response by SP5 Dave Forrest made Jan 10 at 2017 8:57 PM

2017-01-10T20:57:47-05:00

When I was in Korea (1968-69) our CO threw a beer bash that skyrocketed our morale.

Response by PO2 Michael Henry made Jan 10 at 2017 10:49 PM

2017-01-10T22:49:00-05:00

Do something they won't see coming and will appreciate.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2017 2:29 AM

2017-01-11T02:29:23-05:00

Always let your soldiers know you have their back. Always commend their great work. When possible, show their outstanding work up the chain...not only shows your troops are doing great, but that YOU'RE being an excellent leader. I would try to give my guys time off when things were slow or I knew they had plans taking them on long driving trips. The best thing to do is appreciate them. Respect them. Your troops will respect you as much as you respect them. You'll never have to worry about your duty section if your people are trained and KNOW their leader has their back, good or bad!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2017 9:39 AM

2017-01-11T09:39:11-05:00

One of the things I did as a leader was I would get the SSG or SFC (when I was promoted) and I would coin a soldier who had been doing exceptional. It was kind of cheesey but I felt the soldiers greatly appreciated it. It sounds like you are doing everything right SFC, you would be the kind of leader I would like to work for.

Response by SSG Robert White made Jan 11 at 2017 8:14 PM

2017-01-11T20:14:03-05:00

I would say, keep up what you're doing. Praise publicly, punish privately. Push them, don't coddle and encourage when necessary.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 22 at 2019 10:22 AM

2019-03-22T10:22:56-04:00

You know one of the things I liked about being a leader was being able to tell a soldier good job. When I came back from the desert the first time I started a little thing where every two weeks I "coined" the soldier who had performed outstanding for the past couple of weeks. I just went to clothing and sales and got the rank coin and then on a Friday I called the soldier out in front of our squad formation and told the squad what a great job they had done and then presented the soldier with a coin. Went a long ways