The Army is rather a circumstantial institution of the state, prepared to operate in an unfavorable environment, which is an armed conflict. This in turn requires adequate predisposition in those who choose to carry out military service: above all, a deep conviction of the rightness of the risks involved. Motivation is an crucial component of what consists of building the professionalism of soldiers.
Motivation, which is why and why?
By nature, man strives to avoid situations that endanger his wellness and life. The utmost example of specified a situation, in which this is theoretically the case, should be war: a man should effort to avoid taking part in armed actions in order to defend his life and health. However, the situation is different: people decide to execute military service besides – and frequently even above all – at the time of the war. It seems illogical: in fact, it is simply a denial not so much of logic, but of decisions based solely on instinct. Action taken responsibly and consciously in an emergency situation is besides 1 of the definitions of the concept of courage.
The basis for specified choices, especially in utmost situations, is frequently emotional: the feelings a individual has in relation to his own state and society, frequently referred to as patriotism in general. This, in turn, may arise from various sources, both from the historical patterns adopted (examples of ancestors or erstwhile generations who fought for freedom, etc., as well as from the awareness of the dangers that have already occurred in the past), as well as from the contemporary attachment to a given place or local community and their readiness to defend against threats.
However, it is simply a fact that national or local conditions do not correspond to everything equally, and their perception may be different depending on the approach to the situation (depending on political views, views or another factors). That is why decisions and choices taken, even if they are based on any degree of emotion, should besides (and even above all) be based on logical analyses and awareness of possible consequences, both individual and collective. This in turn translates into the pursuit of hazard minimisation in activities already carried out in military or akin service, as well as to increase the level of their own capabilities and skills in order to best prepare for their tasks, including those associated with the danger of failure of life or health. This applies not only to soldiers, but besides to policemen, firefighters, paramedics, and many another professions.
Experience from Ukraine: motivations in war
In the interesting way described above, the phenomenon could be observed at the turn of 2013 and 2014 and later in the case of Ukraine and its citizens operating in the realities of a serious crisis of their own statehood, disillusionment with the structures of the state and power, followed by social turmoil (protests under Euromaidan / Revolution of Dignity), yet in the face of armed aggression from the Russian Federation (the Crimean annex, riots, and then fighting in the east and south of the country). In the autumn of 2013, erstwhile the pro-Russian president Viktor Yanukovych and the pro-Russian organization of the Regions continued to regulation in Ukraine, it was hard to find people there who would sincerely declare their willingness to fight or take any hazard in defending their country. The most common reaction was the statement: "I will not hazard my life for corrupt politicians" and the fast departure declaration abroad in the event of a threat of war.
This situation has changed dramatically in only a fewer weeks: the triggering origin of this massive change of moods was mainly Russian actions in Crimea. It became clear rather rapidly that the Russian goal was not only to occupy Crimea, but to take most of east and confederate Ukraine. Practically immediately in the most endangered cities specified as Kharkiv or Odessa, opposition appeared, initially (after escaping Yanukovych's country and at a time erstwhile fresh authorities were just forming) improvised and over time more professional, supported by the army and another public safety services. This is why volunteer formations played specified an crucial function in the first phase of the ATO (anti-terrorism operation): frequently formed ad hoc, on the basis of those willing to take up the fight of people surviving in areas threatened by Russian activities under the cover of separatist activities (in spring 2014, the Russians began to make artificial structures and separatist movements to justify their own armed actions, both in Crimea and in Donbasa). This is how volunteer battalions, specified as Donbas, Azov and many others, were created, consisting of volunteers surviving in different regions of Ukraine. These units initially had virtually no weapons (at most no hunting or sports weapons), and as combat vehicles even utilized buses or, at best, vehicles utilized by safety companies to carry money. Importantly – and frequently overlooked – they included not only cultural Ukrainians, but besides Russians surviving in east and confederate Ukraine's circuits, who chose their loyalty to a country whose citizens became citizens only in 1991. This situation repeated in 2022, during a full-scale war: cities and regions that the Kremlin believed to be pro-Russian – specified as Kharkiv, Mariupol or Odessa – put fierce, active or passive opposition to the Russian invasion.
How do you explain that? It is surely about loyalty to your own state, the conviction of separateness, but besides the deficiency of consent to forceful imposing of external solutions. Also, readiness to defend the chosen lifestyle and values that are at the heart of these choices, both individual and national (here: Ukraine's desire to integrate into the West, which is synonymous with a better life in all respect). These are besides historical conditions: consistent memory building about the effects of the Russian (Soviet) occupation, specified as the large Hunger in 1932–1933 or the purges of the Stalinist period, but besides cognition of the current methods and manner of functioning of the Russian Federation. For many Ukrainians, even those with (until 2014) pro-Russian views, experiences of ATO and occupations of alleged folk republics (Donietsk, Lugansk) have become an effective cure for Russian disinformation of the "brother" nature of relations with the Russian Federation.
Motivation is not everything
Motivation is an crucial component of what consists of building the professionalism of soldiers (but besides representatives of any another profession or people taking various activities). Without this first impulse, whether through convictions or an analysis of possibilities, it is hard to begin to form a proactive attitude in work or in service, geared towards improvement and constantly expanding your own skills and capabilities. It would be best if this process were carried out continuously: the more modern, erstwhile the velocity of changing social, global and another conditions is so advanced that passiveness means de facto stagnation and causes fast lag. However, this is not possible without a deep commitment, and preferably a passion for the activities and activities undertaken by a person.
Nevertheless, even the strongest motivation may in any cases be insufficient to accomplish the objectives. Therefore, discipline is an crucial component in supporting motivation and another factors that are crucial for development. Especially in the expression of self-imposing a framework of action, which will direct activity in the right direction and keep it at the right level, even in moments erstwhile another factors – besides motivation itself, conditioned to any degree emotionally – will work with little strength for various reasons (this may consequence from changes in life situation, individual situation, etc.).
Only a combination of motivation, discipline, commitment and passion allows you to make a highly professional approach to service or work, not only in the army or uniform formations. It is crucial that these factors form part of the recruitment and training process of armed forces and another state services.
