Why they fight? Reconsidering the role of motivation in combat environments

The current combat motivation model based on primary group thesis assumes that the main force behind motivation is peer-bonding or otherwise known as unit cohesion. Cohesion is perceived as an all-encompassing factor that leads to satisfactory (or unsatisfactory in lack thereof) military effectiveness and performance in conflict environments. However, the article identifies three main problems with this perspective: 1. mono-dimensional view of motivation; 2. motivation based on heteronomy, and 3. self-reporting bias. The current model does not consider motivation as a separate entity from cohesion; it does not place motivation as fundamental human value; lastly, it takes motivation as granted by-product of socialization. The article proposes a new combat motivation model based on The Self-Determination Theory. The theory maintains that human motivation requires satisfaction of three psychological needs of competence, relatedness, and autonomy. The degree of satisfaction of those three needs leads to different types of regulated motivations – a continuum from intrinsic to extrinsic – each of which has specifiable consequences for learning, performance, and well-being of an individual.     

信息化条件下实战化训练动因探析

文章分析了信息化条件下实战化训练的源动力、决定性因素、作战实践需求和军事理论牵引创新等因素,从理论上回答了信息化条件下实战化训练动因问题。     

‘A Time of War’: contextual and organisational dimensions in the construction of combat motivation in the IDF

This paper explores the construction of combat motivation in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), arguing that although Israeli society at large is in a ‘Post Heroic’ era, the ‘Heroic Spirit’ is revealed during emergencies. A total of 1535 questionnaires were administered among combat soldiers during large-scale operations fought during national emergency and during small-scale routine operations. The results reveal differences in the construction of combat motivation typical for emergency vs. routine, as well as for reserves vs. regular units. These results indicate that the Post Heroic era is a condition that could be shifted according to cultural, organisational and individual determinants. This paper discusses the roots of these constructions and their implications on the theory of combat motivation and combat experience.     

The Freudian trap in combat motivation theory

Theories of group, and individual, motivation to fight have shown little real advancement since World War II. The lively debate between the proponents of ‘primary group’ and ideological theories has tended to preclude any other analysis. The debate has continued to generalise from the experience of the Wehrmacht and its cohesion in the face of appalling destruction. In this article I suggest that the theoretical underpinnings of the debate have revolved around one particular, and somewhat unrecognised, concept of the mind. Work on combat motivation owes a substantial debt to Freudian ideas concerning the unconscious and group psychology. Both sides of the ideology/primary group debate use Freudian ideas, often without realising it, and these concepts shape the various positions taken. Only by acknowledging and examining this underpinning can the debate move forward and produce a more general theory of combat motivation and group conflict with wider application.     

一种新的超视距空战目标威胁评估距离指标模型

距离指标是进行超视距空战目标威胁评估的重要指标,但当前多数的距离指标模型都过于简单。针对这种不足,在仿真分析当前典型模型的基础上,根据空战的实际情况,首先定性分析了目标位置等因素对于威胁度的影响;然后根据探测距离、导弹射程等参数,将敌我距离分成不同阶段,区分敌我性能强弱的不同情况,分阶段建立了一种新的距离指标模型。最后,针对不同的战场态势,进行了仿真分析,证明了模型的有效性。模型对于提升空战威胁评估的准确性具有积极意义。     

大学生入伍动机分析

2009年兵役制度的调整使普通高校在校生有了更多步人军营的机会。不同的入伍动机影响着大学生的个人发展和军队的长期建设。本文运用心理学动机理论,对大学生入伍动机的产生进行分析,探讨如何培养和激发大学生入伍的动机。     

空战飞机嵌入式训练系统的研究

空军正面对提高空战飞机训练效率的难题,嵌入式训练是解决这个问题的有效途径。结合现有研究技术和经验,研究了拥有高速无线网络和实时显控的嵌入式训练系统。可以使飞行员充分利用飞机内的原有设备进行训练,为飞行员提供了真实的操作、训练环境,同时指挥人员能够实时观察训练状况并做出科学的评估,具有突破性的训练效果。     

‘Faced with death,even a mouse bites’: Social and religious motivations behind terrorism in Chechnya

This article analyzes the motivations behind individuals who chose to adopt terrorist methods in the Chechen conflicts of the late 1990s and early 2000s. While the seemingly obvious motivation in joining in a ‘religious’ war of jihad would be a strong belief in that religion, the reality is more complicated. The motivations behind these individuals were not only religious, but cultural, social, and political. This indicates that while the methods and ideological rhetoric adopted by Chechen terrorists prove similar to methods adopted by terrorists across the world, the fundamental causes and drive behind these terrorists are actually quite distinct and unique from others.     

院校实战化教学训练创新

文章分析了军事院校实战化教学训练创新的客观要求、创新内容和创新的方法手段,提出了一些值得思考的问题和解决办法,对于推动院校实战化训练创新具有一定借鉴指导作用。     

The Unveiled Motivations of Violence in Intra-State Conflicts: The Colombian Guerrillas

This article explores the motivations that push individuals to join and remain in insurgent groups. Though I consider the Colombian guerrillas, these findings are not necessarily case-specific. I argue that socio-psychological motivations at the individual level may be the most significant reason for joining, surpassing in importance grievance-based, ideological and even economic motivations. Moreover, I find that the lack of cohesion inside the Colombian guerrillas may boost economic motivations, further weakening insurgents' commitment to the pursuit of political power, and to the improvement of the socio-political position of those they claim to represent. This type of research contributes to a greater understanding of those in armed groups and it provides insights for developing focused recruitment prevention programs. It also contributes to the growing literature that explores the meaning and character of insurgencies, and possibly terrorist organizations.     

Differential-game examination of optimal time-sequential fire-support strategies

Optimal time-sequential fire-support strategies are studied through a two-person zero-sum deterministic differential game with closed-loop (or feedback) strategies. Lanchester-type equations of warfare are used in this work. In addition to the max-min principle, the theory of singular extremals is required to solve this prescribed-duration combat problem. The combat is between two heterogeneous forces, each composed of infantry and a supporting weapon system (artillery). In contrast to previous work reported in the literature, the attrition structure of the problem at hand leads to force-level-dependent optimal fire-support strategies with the attacker's optimal fire-support strategy requiring him to sometimes split his artillery fire between enemy infantry and artillery (counterbattery fire). A solution phenomnon not previously encountered in Lanchester-type differential games is that the adjoint variables may be discontinuous across a manifold of discontinuity for both players' strategies. This makes the synthesis of optimal strategies particularly difficult. Numerical examples are given.     

An Ideological Response to Combating Terrorism – The Singapore Perspective

The article examines alternative strategies to combating the scourge of terrorism beyond military approaches. There is now more realization, especially after the difficulties experienced in Iraq today, that an innovative multi-pronged mix of methods is needed to combat international terrorism. The paper looks at an ideological response towards combating terrorism by looking at the Singapore experience. The Singapore government recognizes the importance of an ideological response as an integral part of counterterrorism measures. Terrorism occurs when opportunity, motivation and capability meet. The prevention of terrorism requires the elimination of at least one of these three factors- motivation- often driven by ideology. The paper will look at direct and indirect initiatives undertaken in Singapore to combat terrorism and will also look at the Muslim community in Singapore's response to the threat to Singapore society. Lastly, the article will examine some lessons learnt from the Singapore experience in applying an ideological approach in combating terrorism as well as some recommendations of what more can be done to move forward.     

新形势下提高集团军部队实战化训练水平的研究与思考

围绕解决当前制约集团军部队信息化条件下实战化训练水平提升的矛盾问题,着力在浓厚实战化训练氛围、设置实战化训练内容、创新实战化训练方式、创设实战化训练环境、健全实战化训练机制等方面研究提出具体对策措施,并充分发挥战法创新引领、"考比拉"促进、人才培养支撑和作风建设保证的作用,深入推进集团军部队军事训练向实战靠拢,提高部队"能打仗、打胜仗"能力。     

A stochastic air combat logistics decision model for Blue versus Red opposition

Technologically advanced aircraft rely on robust and responsive logistics systems to ensure a high state of operational readiness. This paper fills a critical gap in the literature for combat models by closely relating effectiveness of the logistics system to determinants of success in combat. We present a stochastic diffusion model of an aerial battle between Blue and Red forces. The number of aircraft of Blue forces aloft and ready to be aloft on combat missions is limited by the maximum number of assigned aircraft, the reliability of aircraft subsystems, and the logistic system's ability to repair and replenish those subsystems. Our parsimonious model can illustrate important trade‐offs between logistics decision variables and operational success.     

海洋水下战场态势仿真系统的设计与实现?

在作战仿真领域,由于水下战场环境的特殊性以及水下作战对抗的复杂性,构建具有水下战场实景态势展现以及水下作战对抗演示分析等功能的仿真系统始终是一个难点问题。基于现代海战条件下水下对抗的应用背景,设计实现了海洋水下战场态势仿真系统,给出系统的功能结构、功能流程以及数据处理流程和方案,并对系统的开发部署进行了具体实现,应用情况表明系统能够实现对水下战场实景态势的高精度仿真,可作为海洋水下战场实景态势的演示分析研究平台和水下作战对抗的论证评估工具。     

多机协同目标与火力资源分配

在协同空战中,快速正确的空战决策是己方战机少受敌方伤害并取得战争胜利的前提。目标与火力资源分配是决策过程的重要部分。多机空战与单机空战相比有明显的不同,不同之处是面临多个敌方目标,根据我方资源最优分配作战对象和火力,基于遗传算法实现了两种算法的有人无人目标与火力资源分配。仿真结果表明,带有毁伤概率门限的算法既节省火力资源又快速有效。     

QUANTIFYING GREED AND GRIEVANCE IN CIVIL WAR: THE AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE

‘Greed’ vs. ‘grievance’ is weighed using a generally applicable methodology as motivations in the American War of Independence. Greed is quantified as the expected economic benefit of Independence – escaping colonial trade burdens and expected increased economic growth rates. Grievance is measured as willingness to pay to escape perceived political burdens. Quantification of the relative contributions is made possible by using estimates of expected war-costs. To the extent that the economic burden was insufficient to explain the War, the residual is ascribed to the grievance motivation. Both motives are shown to have contributed to the War, but grievance dominates.     

Regaining Strategy: Small Powers,Strategic Culture,and Escalation in Afghanistan

Abstract

In Western operations in Afghanistan, small European powers escalate in different ways. While Denmark and the Netherlands have contributed to Western escalation through integration with British and US forces, Norway and Sweden have done so by creating a division of labour allowing US and British combat forces to concentrate their efforts in the south. These variations in strategic behaviour suggest that the strategic choice of small powers is more diversified than usually assumed. We argue that strategic culture can explain the variation in strategic behaviour of the small allies in Afghanistan. In particular, Dutch and Danish internationalism have reconciled the use of force in the national and international domains, while in Sweden and Norway there is still a sharp distinction between national interest and humanitarianism.     

Transnational terrorism as a spillover of domestic disputes in other countries

This paper models transnational terrorism as a three‐way strategic interaction involving a government that faces armed opposition at home, which may spill over in the form of acts of terrorism by the state's opponents against the government's external sponsor. The external sponsor also utilises deterrence against potential terrorists, which only lowers terrorism if terrorists are not intrinsically motivated by a deep‐seated sense of humiliation. The model highlights the importance of intrinsic motivation. A rise in the external power's preference for deterrence against terrorism may backfire in these circumstances. Increases in the government's military efficiency against the rebels, who are also terrorists against the government's sponsor, raises overall levels of violence.