Do you ever feel like your backpack is getting heavier and heavier? Not with books or lunch, but with things you don’t really need? Imagine you’re a soldier. They have to carry a lot of important stuff on their backs, like gear, supplies, and weapons. They have a saying: “Ounces lead to pounds, and pounds lead to pain.”
This means that even small, unnecessary things can add up to a heavy, painful weight. It can slow them down and make it harder to do their job. It’s the same with our lives! Sometimes we carry “extra weight” that isn’t physical. This can be things that distract us, like too much social media.
Just like a soldier needs to be light and ready for anything, we need to make sure we’re not bogged down by things that aren’t important. Too much time on social media can be like carrying a heavy backpack. It can make us feel tired, anxious, and even lonely.
So, how can we lighten our load?
1. The “Fighting Load” vs. The “Approach Load”:
Soldiers have two kinds of loads. The “fighting load” is the essential stuff they need to be ready for action. The “approach load” is the fighting load plus extra things they can put down when they get to where they’re going.
Our “fighting load” is our real life: school, family, friends, and hobbies. Our “approach load” is the extra stuff, like social media. It’s okay to have some, but we shouldn’t let it weigh us down. Think about what you need to be happy and healthy. That’s your “fighting load.” Everything else is an “approach load” that you can set aside sometimes!
2. The Importance of “Unplugging”:
Soldiers need to rest and recover. They can’t be “on” all the time. Neither can we! It’s important to “unplug” from social media and get some rest. Go for a walk, play outside with friends, or read a book. These things help us feel better and recharge.
3. “Cross-Load” with Your Friends:
Soldiers often “cross-load” their gear, meaning they share the weight so no one person is carrying too much. You can do this with your friends, too! Encourage each other to put down your phones and go do something fun together. Sharing experiences in person is much more fun than sharing them on a screen.
By managing our “social media load,” we can be more like the agile, effective soldiers who aren’t bogged down by extra weight. We can be ready for anything life throws our way!
A Parent’s Guide to Lightening the Load
In the military, a soldier’s effectiveness is directly tied to their ability to manage their load. “Ounces lead to pounds, and pounds lead to pain,” is a foundational principle. As parents, we can apply this same principle to our children’s social media usage. Unnecessary screen time is the “extra weight” that can impact their mental health, well-being, and social development. Here’s how you can help your kids lighten their load:
1. Assess and Adjust:
Soldiers regularly “shakedown” their equipment to remove nonessential items. As parents, we should regularly assess our children’s social media usage. Is it a tool for connection or a source of stress and distraction? Help them identify “creature comforts” that are really just time-wasters. Encourage them to be mindful of what they’re doing online and whether it’s truly beneficial.
2. The “Fighting Load” and “Approach Load” Analogy:
Help your kids understand the difference between their “fighting load” (essential activities like school, family time, and outdoor play) and their “approach load” (social media and other screen-based entertainment). Social media should be an “approach load” that they can leave at the “objective rally point” of their real life. It’s important to have clear, consistent times when screens are put away and real-world interactions are prioritized.
3. Cross-Load Effectively:
A soldier’s squad works together to distribute weight. As a family, you can “cross-load” by encouraging shared, screen-free activities. Plan a family hike, game night, or a day at the park. This helps everyone lighten their individual burden of screen time and promotes healthy, in-person connection.
4. Prioritize Well-Being:
Excessive loads increase the risk of injury and fatigue. For our kids, this translates to an increased risk of anxiety, depression, and social isolation. To combat this, prioritize their well-being by ensuring they have access to outdoor activities, opportunities for physical fitness, and plenty of social interaction with their peers in person.
By fostering a culture of “load discipline” and by modeling healthy screen habits ourselves, we can help our children become more agile, resilient, and better prepared to face the demands of modern life.
A Leader’s Guide to Social Media Management
Just as a military leader must be an expert in managing Soldier load, today’s leaders—whether in education, youth programs, or the community—must be adept at guiding young people through the challenges of social media. The principle remains the same: “Ounces lead to pounds, and pounds lead to pain.” The “ounces” of mindless scrolling and online comparison can add up to the “pounds” of anxiety, low self-esteem, and social isolation.
Here’s how to apply military-style leadership to help your students and members navigate social media:
1. Educate and Inform:
Leaders must educate their formations on doctrinal guidance. As a leader, you must educate young people on the science behind social media’s impact on their brains and mental health. Teach them to recognize the signs of social media fatigue and how to set healthy boundaries.
2. Foster a Culture of “Load Discipline”:
Military leaders set the standard for effective resource management. As a youth leader, you can set the standard by fostering a culture of “load discipline” where screen-free activities are celebrated. Encourage outdoor events, community service projects, and group activities that require face-to-face interaction.
3. Prioritize Well-Being:
The Army prioritizes Soldier well-being by providing access to nutrition, fitness programs, and mental health resources. As a leader, you must do the same. Advocate for and create opportunities for your students to be physically active. Offer workshops on digital well-being and stress management. Provide a safe space for them to discuss the challenges of social media and seek support.
By taking a thoughtful, systematic approach, leaders can help young people manage their “social media load.” This ensures they are not only prepared for the demands of the digital world but also equipped with the social and emotional skills necessary to thrive in their real lives.
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Reference
McLemore, M. M. (2025). Pounds for Pain: The Soldier Load. Infantry, 114(4), 48–51.