Characteristics of Teams and Team Building-FM 6-22

The hallmarks of close teams include—

• Trusting each other and being able to predict what each other will do.
• Working together to accomplish the mission.
• Executing tasks thoroughly and quickly.
• Meeting and exceeding the standard.
• Thriving on demanding challenges.
• Learning from their experiences and developing pride in their accomplishments.

The Army as a team includes many members who are not Soldiers. The contributions made by countless Army civilians, contractors, and multinational personnel in critical support missions during Operation Desert Storm, the Balkans, and the War on Terrorism are often forgotten. In today’s logistic heavy operational environments, many military objectives could not be achieved without the dedicated support of the Army’s hard-working civilian team members.

Within a larger team, smaller teams may be at different stages of development. For instance, members of First Squad may be accustomed to working together. They trust one another and accomplish the mission, usually exceeding the standard without wasted effort. Second Squad in the same platoon just received three new Soldiers and a team leader from another company. As a team, Second Squad is less
mature and it will take them some time to get up to the level of First Squad. Second Squad’s new team members have to learn how things work. First, they have to feel like members of the team. Subsequently, they must learn the standards and the climate of their new unit and demonstrate competence before other members really accept them. Finally, they must practice working together. Leaders can best oversee the
integration process if they know what to expect.

Competent leaders are sensitive to the characteristics of the team and its individual members. Teams develop differently and the boundaries between stages are not hard and fast. The results can help determine what to expect of the team and what is needed to improve its capabilities.

Drill and Ceremonies

3-8. INFLECTION
Inflection is the rise and fall in pitch and the tone changes of the voice.

a. The preparatory command is the command that indicates movement. Pronounce each preparatory command with a rising inflection. The most desirable pitch, when beginning a
preparatory command, is near the level of the natural speaking voice. A common fault with beginners is to start the preparatory command in a pitch so high that, after employing a rising inflection for the preparatory command, it is impossible to give the command of execution with clarity or without strain. A good rule to remember is to begin a command near the natural pitch of the voice.

b. The command of execution is the command that indicates when a movement is to be executed. Give it in a sharper tone and in a slightly higher pitch than the last syllable of the preparatory command. It must be given with plenty of snap. The best way to develop a command voice is to practice.

c. In combined commands, such as FALL IN and FALL OUT, the preparatory command and command of execution are combined. Give these commands without inflection and with the uniform high pitch and loudness of a normal command of
execution.