I am looking for information surrounding the topic of Does military training prepare soldiers to perform their roles on operational tour? I am looking for any information positive or negative about military training and how it prepares soldiers physically and mentally for their role on operational tour. Any information would be appreciated.
Many Thanks.
Dear Connor,
something to read:
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Dear Connor,
look for and read folowing articles:
Tomczak A., Kalina R.M. (2007) Appraisal of soldiers` acquired skills for surviving in conditions of isolation. In: M. Sokołowski (eds.) Morphofunctional aspects of selection of soldiers for realization of tasks in the army formations. Polish Scientific Physical Education Association, Warsaw, vol. 11, 84-100.
Tomczak A., Bertrandt J., Kłos A. (2012) Physical fitness and nutritional status of polish ground force units recruits. Biol. Sport 2012; 29: 277-280.
Tomczak A., Bertrandt J., Kłos A., Bertrandt B. (2014) Assessment of physical fitness, physical capacity and nutritional status of soldiers serving in the Polish Special Forces unit “GROM”. Probl Hig Epidemiol 2014,95(1): 86-90.
Best regards,
Andrzej Tomczak
http://www.nmrl.pitt.edu/research Check out the work done by this lab. The also have some previous publications on an Eagle Tactical Athlete Training Program that yielded some strong publications that their injury prevention efforts were effective (I think it is in the archive section of the research section).
Dear Connor,
In addition to the recommendations already suggest you might want to look at GAO reports (see link below). I would also suggest to look at the literature of military innovation and miliitary change management related to training and lessons learned from operations. Two books might be useful to start with:
Williamson Murray, Military adaptation in war. With fear of change (Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 2011)
Chad S. Serena, A revolution in military adaptation. The US Army in the Iraq war (Washington, DC: Georgetown UP, 2011)
Most of the literature tends to look at how Western forces. Deviating from this perspective is Caitlin Talmadge's most recent book The dictator's army. Battlefield effectiveness in authoritarian regimes (Ithaca/London: Cornell UP, 2015), which I stronlgy recommend.
http://www.gao.gov/browse/topic/Human_Capital/Military_forces/
As the authors before me mentioned it depends on which armed forces, what type of programme and the kind of mission. A good place to begin the search for sources is the excellent peer-reviewed journal Armed Forces & Society. Broadly speaking this is the benchmark to assess the rest of the sources you collect. As the leading arena for studies in civil-military relations, there are many studies there discussing any aspect of your topics.
Another source of analysis and policy-advice, especially concerning the US armed forces is the RAND corporation. I used GAO reports but usually you have to know something about the topic before reading them. They also often very tailored to the programme they assess.
I think that if your focus is the association between pre-deployment training and tour performance, you should not devlve into the endless literature on military adaptation, innovation, reform, etc. This has much more to do with institutional and cultural processes and much less with the performance of the individual soldier.
Two more conceptual/methodological considerations. Are you interested only in training or also military education? These are inter-related but very distinctive subjects. Second, are you interested only in Army training or also air-force and navy (and in the case of the US also USMC?)?
British Military research done mostly by Kings College London...might be worth a look.
As a war veteran I can say that my own experiences is that training develops skills to be effective on the battlefield...what it does not develop is the fickleness of the battlefield, unlike in the films the best trained soldiers do not always survive the randomness of death on the battlefield...to me it is a bit like saying that graduating with a BSc prepares you for a PhD...well in itself it does not, but it gets you closer than you were before you graduated...many of my fellow war veterans have said that they felt they 'graduated' to soldier on the fields of battle...
The writer Josephus said of the Romans that their drills were bloodless battles, their battles bloody drills. Maybe nothing can fully prepare a person for war and combat, but realistic training probably comes closest. The training of the body is critical, but even more so the mind: soldierly habits, trust in your comrades, a tactical mindset. All is ready if our minds be so, says Shakespeare's Henry V.
Great question, as a retired United States Marine Corps infantry officer, I would say, yes in some cases. Any first deployment has elements of cultural shock. Training, both initial and skill (MOS) establish a foundation, but the importance of the unit and the bonding of individuals within those units is one of the most important aspects of preparation (not letting your Buddy down).
As a non officer I would suggest that the perceptions of officers is completely different than those of non officers. On the battlefield one does not fight for 'Queen and country'...one fights to survive as your death may lead to others death...and you fight to keep your Brothers alive, so they can keep you alive...we are placed in a position whereas we do not want to take life, however if we do not 'they' (Brothers from another country - not anti terrorist wars) are in exactly the same position...they feel they have to kill you or you will kill them...Patriotism is a fine word except when young men come home in boxes and the folk who sent them to die cry crocodile tears and celebrate, I have been unable to celebrate Victory as I cannot find any victory in war...those who have not been in battle probably Can...Brotherhood, comradearie and collectiveness, something I have yet to find in civvy street...I accept what you say David...just my experience is different...
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