How do you break up the monotony of routine activities?

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 13:15:48 -0500

As Leaders it is our duty to provide purpose, direction and motivation to our troops. There are certain tasks that our troops look forward to. (obstacle course, crew served weapons ect), however there are other tasks that soldiers dread. These tend to be the more routine activities (PMCS, PRT, uniform inspections). How do you innovate these activities and get full effort from your subordinates?

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2014 1:18 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 13:18:31 -0500

I always found new challenges. Personally challenge your men and women to go beyond their own bests. Hard to be complacent or in a rut, when you are working on improving oneself.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 11 at 2014 1:40 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 13:40:23 -0500

For my current job its kind of hard to do but we will go run at the National Infantry Museum in civies just to mix it up. Other than that it is hard to change it up

Response by 1SG Steven Stankovich made Jan 11 at 2014 4:08 PM

1SG Steven Stankovich — Sat, 11 Jan 2014 16:08:38 -0500

You need to think outside of the box SSG Love. Tie those "routine" events to something your Soldiers will see as beneficial to them. What I mean by that is something like giving a half day off to the Soldier who stands out at your next uniform inspection. Rotate your Soldiers through leading PRT. Allow them to pick a "sport" to play maybe once every two weeks (after proper warm-up and finishing with proper cool down of course). Compete against another squad or section during motor stables. Events like a truck push, or who can change a tire in the fastest time, etc. Be innovative, be creative.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 10 at 2014 7:06 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 10 Nov 2014 19:06:21 -0500

SSG Love...I avoid them!

Response by 1SG Mark Colomb made Nov 12 at 2014 8:40 AM

1SG Mark Colomb — Wed, 12 Nov 2014 08:40:48 -0500

Don't let them become routine. Routine breeds complacency and that will kill more Soldiers than any enemy force.

As a leader you should know your Soldiers well enough to know what motivates them and what their "currency" is. Make PMCS interesting, have a predesigned flaw on each vehicle they must find, buy lunch for the first team to get 100%. With the OK from platoon leadership, give time off after uniform inspections are complete and everyone in your squad/team/section gets a 100% GO. Focus on 100%, it is not unattainable. Make them own it as a team, not just as individuals.