Commitment to military service among Finnish conscripts

This research establishes the primary components, predictors, and consequences of organizational commitment in the military context. Specifically, the research examines commitment to the military service among Finnish conscripts and whether initial affective commitment prior to service predicts later commitment, attitudes, behavior, and performance, and, furthermore, analyzes the changes in commitment and its possible outcomes. The data were collected from records as well as by surveys from 1,387 rank and file soldiers, immediately after they reported for duty, near the end of basic training, and near the end of 6 to 12 months of service. The data covered a wide array of predictor variables, including background items, attitudes toward conscription, mental and physical health, sociability, training quality, and leadership. Moreover, the archival data included such items as rank, criminal record, performance ratings, and the number of medical examines and exemptions. The measures were further refined based on the results of factor analysis and reliability tests. The results indicated that initial commitment significantly corresponded with expected adjustment, intentions to stay in the military, and acceptance of authority. Moreover, initial commitment moderately related to personal growth, perceived performance, and the number of effective service days at the end of service. During basic training, affective commitment was mostly influenced by challenging training, adjustment experiences, regimentation, and unit climate. At the end of service, committed soldiers demonstrated more personal growth and development in service, had higher-level expected performance, and less malingering during their service. Additionally, they had significantly more positive attitudes toward national defense. The results suggest that affective commitment requires adequate personal adjustment, experiences of personal growth and development, and satisfaction with unit dynamics and training. This research contributes to the theoretical discussion on organizational commitment and the will to defend the nation and advances developing models to support and manage conscript training, education, leadership, and personnel policy. This is achieved by determining the main factors and variables, including their relative strength, that affect commitment to the military service. These findings may also facilitate in designing programs aimed at reducing unwanted discharges and inadequate performance. In particular, these results provide tools for improving conscripts’ overall attachment to and identification with the military service.

From warfare to welfare: veterans, military charities and the blurred spatiality of post-service welfare in the United Kingdom

The military offers a form of welfare-for-work but when personnel leave they lose this safety net, a loss exacerbated by the rollback neoliberalism of the contemporary welfare state. Increasingly the third sector has stepped in to address veterans’ welfare needs through operating within and across military/civilian and state/market/community spaces and cultures. In this paper we use both veterans’ and military charities’ experiences to analyse the complex politics that govern the liminal boundary zone of post-military welfare. Through exploring ‘crossing’ and ‘bridging’ we conceptualise military charities as ‘boundary subjects’, active yet dependent on the continuation of the civilian-military binary, and argue that the latter is better understood as a multidirectional, multiscalar and contextual continuum. Post-military welfare emerges as a competitive, confused and confusing assemblage that needs to be made more navigable in order to better support the ‘heroic poor’.

The identification and prevalence of veterinary clinical events in U.S. military working dogs deployed to Iraq between March 20, 2003, and December 31, 2007

Objective. The purpose of this study was to identify the medical issues experienced by Military Working Dogs during their period of deployment in Iraq.^ Design. This study was a retrospective cross-sectional survey based on database and medical record abstraction.^ Population. Military Working Dogs (MWDs) that were deployed to Iraq at any time between 20 March 2003 and 31 December 2007 were the inclusive population of interest. Seven hundred ninety-five (795) MWDs were identified as having been deployed to Iraq during the inclusive dates. Four hundred ninety-six (496) MWDs were identified that had medical events during the deployment period. ^ Procedures. Eligible MWDs were identified through several sources, to include database query, medical record abstraction questionnaire, and medical record abstraction. Demographic information collected for each MWD included tattoo, name, age, gender, breed, Branch of Service, and duty certification. Information on each veterinary/medical clinical event (VCE) was collected. This information was coded, and data entered into a database for organization. Frequency and prevalence information were determined for each category of VCE.^ Results. The top four VCEs experienced by MWDs while deployed in Iraq were gastrohepatic, dermatologic, traumatic injury, and appendicular musculoskeletal issues.^ Conclusions. Training, equipment, and supplies for veterinary personnel who care for the deployed MWDs should be tailored accordingly to suit the identified medical needs of the MWDs. ^

Allegations of improper lobbying by Department of Defense personnel of the C-5B and B-1B aircraft and sale to Saudi Arabia of the airborne warning and control system : report together with separate views of the Investigations Subcommittee of the Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, Ninety-seventh Congress, second session, December 30, 1982.

Mode of access: Internet.

Guide to rebuilding public sector services in stability operations : a role for the military /

This guide examines the role of restoration of public services within the broader context of stability operations. The extent to which public service reconstruction takes place depends on the mission, the level of resources, and the host country context. This paper provides guidance helpful to U.S. peacekeeping personnel in planning and executing stability operations tasks related to restoration of public sector services and infrastructure. It is designed to supplement existing and emerging guidance, and is specifically relevant to addressing the needs of public sector rebuilding in a post-conflict situation by peacekeeping forces. The material presented here draws both from theory and analytic frameworks and from on-the-ground experience of practitioners.

Identification of communication abilities in military situations

"ASTIA document no. AD151 043."

Unit maintenance : carrier, personnel, full tracked, armored, M113A2, 2350-01-068-4077; carrier, command post, light tracked, M577A2, 2350-01-068-4089; carrier, mortar, 107-mm, M30, self-propelled, M106A2, 2350-01-069-6931; carrier, mortar, 81-mm, M29A1, self-propelled, M125A2, 2350-01-068-4087; chassis, gun, anti-aircraft artillery ... carrier, smoke generator, full tracked ... combat vehicle, anti-tank ....

"July 1990--[Vol. 2].

Operator's manual : carrier, personnel, full tracked, armored M113A1, 2350-00-968-6321; carrier, command post, light, tracked M577A1, 2350-00-056-6808; carrier, mortar, 107-mm, self-propelled M106A1, 2350-00-076-9002; carrier, mortar ... carrier, flame thrower ....

"August 1978."

Nuclear handbook for medical service personnel.

"April 1969."

Operator's manual : carrier, personnel, full tracked, armored M113A2 2350-01-068-4077 carrier, command post, light, tracked M577A2 2350-01-068-4089 carrier, mortar, 107-MM, self-propelled M106A2 2350-01-069-6931 carrier, mortar, 81-MM, self-propelled M125A2 2350-01-068-4087.

Includes index.

Hand receipt covering contents of components of end item (COEI) ... for carrier, personnel, full tracked, armored, M113A2 (2350-01-068-4077); carrier, command post, light tracked, M577A2 (2350-01-068-4089); carrier, mortar ... carrier, smoke generator, full tracked ....

"March 1991."

Unit maintenance : carrier, personnel, full tracked, armored M113A3, 2350-01-219-7577.

"May 1987"--[Vol. 1].

Demilitarization procedures for FSC 5180, concealed personnel detector tool kit; FSC 6665, hazard detecting instruments and apparatus; and FSC 6910, training sets.

"October 1979."

Prediction of job performance : review of military studies /

"March 1982."

A Temporary Hometown: Gendered Labor and Social Citizenship in Bremerton, Washington, a Domestic Military Colony

Thesis (Master's)--University of Washington, 2016-06