Of Blue Badges and Purple Cloth, the Impact of Battle Death in a Cohesive Unit

摘要

This monograph is an examination of the impact of battle death in cohesive unit. The American soldier will fight on a future battlefield that is extended, lethal, and isolated. To operate effectively he will be dispersed in small, cohesive military units. Given the anticipated nature of the future battlefield, will battle death seriously degrade the combat effectiveness of surviving soldiers in small, cohesive units. The research question is answered by examining the impact of combat death on both the individual and the unit. Military theory sets the necessary foundation for this project and is followed by an examination of studies from World War II and the Vietnam War. The findings reveal that military cohesion and motivation are rooted in intensely personal attachments at the small-unit level. History shows that the key to understanding the problem of death in a cohesive unit is that the danger of being killed or maimed imposes a strain so great that it may cause the soldier to break down. The study concludes that the U.S. Army must vigilantly guard against any policy, or organization which does not reinforce the cohesiveness of the small unit. The universe of the soldier revolves around his squad and platoon. It is at this level that group bonding is achieved, group norms are defined, and standards of behavior are set. It is at this level that relationships are determined, and it is at this level that much of the Army's combat effectiveness is defined. The U.S. Army must continually strengthen its squads and platoons if it is to succeed on the future battlefield.