Apollo Diomedes said:
I agree we need to fix the mentality, so how?
Hmmm good point. For me personally I have always been concerned (meddled) with my peers and subordinates impression of PT. I have limited myself from changing the bigger picture, where now with little time left I wonder should I have.
That said to implement cultural change of this nature has to be done at least at Unit level. Any lower will only last as long as a rotation.
To change:
1) Create a sense of urgency.
2) Select change agents (People who are highly motivated for the cause);
- Ensure they have more resources than people opposed to the change and make it obvious (favouritism) follow these people and be rewarded.
3) Ownership. Get input from all subordinates and implement
their ideas (with your guidance to the goal) so that the "change" is their idea. (important grass roots)
4) Be clear on what the end state is <vision>.
5) Create success stories and heroes for people to emulate (there must be history for culture to exist).
6) Fire, replace leaders in key positions who are opposed. (This one is touchy
)
Apollo Diomedes said:
Right. And before we can cultivate that culture we need to remove all the things that allow people to get away with milking the system. You're talking about throwing people in a pool and say sink or swim, yes?
Yup, but unfortunately those procedures are way out of my arcs. So in essence it is what I want but I am not sure how to tackle that.
Apollo Diomedes said:
Agree. Joining the CF should be a competition. Our goal shouldn't be a reflection of races and genders in society, numbers and stats. It should be the smartest and fastest.
Agreed.
Apollo Diomedes said:
I was surprised by the number of guys in the infantry battalion that would manage to find ways of skipping PT. They'd stay in bed or sit in the shacks and play video games. We're not in a position to trust the average soldier to keep their PT up.
I've used a motivational message that has worked well for me. For the fit guy: "Do you see that guy there <point to motivated soldier>. He is working his butt off so that he can be his best when the poo hits the fan and be there for his team. When he looks at you, not trying because you are fit already, do you think he trusts you won't quit on him then when you won't try now?
For the not fit guy "Do you want to be
that guy? The one who can't keep up and gets his friends killed."
With Afghanistan so prevalent people realize that it's the truth. It hits home pretty quick.
During my basic my section commander was from CAR (can't for the life of me remember his name). He impressed upon me like no other has to this day. Every night he would tuck us in with "get ready!" and end with "jab!". We would scream an edited "warrior" version of 23rd Psalm. Everything we did he did first. He was (is) the ideal change agent. We all had someone in our training that was that guy. It is up to all of us to aspire to be him/her and to inspire others to follow.
Sorry for the sermon.