On Combat

Human Dimensions of Battle

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Entries Tagged as 'Combat Motivation'

Two Generations Enlist

April 3rd, 2007 · No Comments

Why do citizens enlist during war? Israeli military psychiatrist Reuven Gal identified four primary reasons for serving in the IDF: for survival when facing an existential threat, for ideological reasons, for normative reasons (expectations of others), and for personal reasons (education, other benefits).
Two articles this week (“War’s Chosen High School” and “Think Your Back Hurts? […]

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Tags: Combat Motivation

Sustaining Combat Motivation over Iraq

March 27th, 2007 · No Comments

A recent article in the Los Angeles Times, “Chopper Pilot Heads Back To A Riskier Iraq” by Richard Fausset (3/27/07), illuminated some difficulties in sustaining combat motivation in the face of repeat deployments. Initial passions are eroded over time by dangers, losses, the environment, and thoughts for family. Warriors with families face have to reconcile […]

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Tags: Fear and Danger · Combat Motivation