Establish a Positive Command Climate MQS II Training Support Package

Purpose Developed a plan which results in a majority of the soldiers in the unit stating that the overall command climate is positive.

References FM Army Leadership DA PAM Command Climate Survey Handbook AR Army Command Policy

Outline Define command climate Assess the command climate to determine the health of your unit Apply the elements which contribute to a positive command climate Develop a plan to establish or improve the command climate of a unit following the proper sequence of steps

State of Morale

Leadership Competencies Communications Supervision Teaching & Counseling Soldier Team Development Technical & Tactical Proficiency Decision Making Planning Use of Available Systems Professional Ethics

Command Climate - - Definition - - A perception among the members of a unit about how they will be treated by their leaders and what professional opportunities they see within the unit.

Morale A moral or mental condition with respect to courage, discipline, and confidence.

Climate Areas Officer leadership Immediate leaders Promotion policy Quality of training Job satisfaction NCO leadership Leader accessibility Rewards & corrective actions Tools, equipment, & supplies Freedom from harrassment Military courtesy & discipline

Climate Areas (Cont.) Unit cohesiveness Social activities Food Morale Human relations Sports activities Freedom from substance abuse Soldiers’ attitude toward unit Reenlistment potential Commander’s use of the UCP

Positive Climate Indicators Trust exists in the command Teamwork, fair play, and information sharing Open, candid communications Soldier job satisfaction Soldiers & families attend unit social/sports activities Reenlistment rate are high

Establishing a Positive Command Climate Determine the “health” of your unit Identify climate areas you want to influence Establish clear goals & objectives for each area Execute plan; command climate is created from the TOP down

Actions You Can Take Communicate a sense of vision or focus Maintain battle focus in all training Establish high, attainable, clearly understood standards Encourage competition against standards rather than each other Allow subordinates freedom to exercise initiative Establish accountability at appropriate level

Actions to Take (Cont. 2) Show confidence in subordinates Encourage & reward prudent risk-taking Achieve high performance through positive motivation and rewards Underwrite honest mistakes Share decision making with subordinates Give clear missions with boundaries of autonomy

Actions to Take (Cont. 3) Listen to subordinates and seek ideas Demonstrate concern about the welfare of subordinates Establish and model high ethical standards PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH

Summary Command climate = perception by unit members Assessment can be done by formal or informal means Trust + teamwork + candid communications = positive command climate

Conclusion You, as the commander, are the key to a successful command climate

Questions?