A study on combat motivation: how soldiers get immune to the perpetual fear of death

ABSTRACT

The present review addresses the effectiveness of combat motivation and how it can bring positive change that helps the Military services to improve and be innovative in the current tough environment. It aimed to identify the factors that influence the soldiers to get immune from the perpetual fear of Death. A sample of 415 soldiers has been conducted with the help of a self-structured interview. Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) highlights duty, honor, and country; the military slogan and war cry; leadership& training; Regiment pride or community Pride;The desire to win war and go home; Avenging The Matrydom & Atitude Towards Enemy; Personal Gratification and commitment to Brothers in ARMS & Commitment towards nation are the major Combat Motivational factors in the Indian army. Combat Motivation is confirmed as an eighth factor model in the army by confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The study suggests using commitment-based leadership strategies and tactics in the army that increase the motivation to get immune from the perpetual fear of Death of soldiers from the selected sample. The information obtained from this study can provide a framework to assist Army leaders, Commanders, and training and development for future soldiers.

KEYWORDS:

• Combat motivation
• the military system
• Indian army
• martyrs

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Archana

Archana, is a PhD Research Scholar in the Department of Management Studies, Graphic Era Deemed to be University, Dehradun, India.

OP Soni

OP Soni, Maj Gen. Prof.(Dr) VSM ,ndc is a Professor and Dean of Department of Management Studies, Graphic Era Deemed to be University, Dehradun, India.

Megha Ojha

Megha Ojha, is a PhD Research Scholar in the Department of Management Studies Graphic Era Deemed to be University, Dehradun, India.