So we started a weekly event at our safety brief/close out event. At the end of the Friday morning sync, every leader took turns nominating one soldier for above and beyond performance that week. We would then take a vote and the winner got recognized by that leader that afternoon. The soldier got two things: one, recognition for outstanding effort in front of his peers and two, recognition from his leadership. I made up a simple plaque, bought some cheap frames and stuck a certficate inside. It seems small but it became the bright spot at the end of some long weeks. If you recognize the effort your soldiers and NCOs put in, they will give you even more.