THE EVOLUTION OF COMBAT MOTIVATION IN THE MILITARY

Abstract

Motivation has always been a critical element in any military force in managing soldiers in military missions. The article reviews the evolution that has taken place in motivation factors in managing soldiers over the hostile decades of war and conflicts. Relevant literatures were reviewed to examine motivational factors among soldiers during World War I, World War II and other conflicts in the 20th century. The analysis highlights that although primary cohesion plays an important role, secondary group cohesion has become an additional motivating factor during combat as the nature of conflict progressed from a single combat force to a combined force involving other combat support elements or multinational forces for military missions. The study concludes that the influencing factors of motivation in the military can be categorized into three perspectives. First; individual that surrounds on what is conscientiously right and self satisfaction. Second; social that refers to social responsibility to the country, nation, organisation and unit and finally; organisational which relates to those that provide guidelines and the necessary support to achieve the organisational goal. The review provides an overview of the evolution in motivational factors in a combat environment and suggest for further exploration in non-combat situations.