Shaping the Attitudes of Conscript Leaders Cover Image

Ajateenijatest Juhtide Hoiakute Kujundamine
Shaping the Attitudes of Conscript Leaders

Author(s): Marko Pungar
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Political Sciences, Military policy
Published by: Kaitseväe Ühendatud Õppeasutused

Summary/Abstract: The role of small-unit leaders has now become more important than ever. The Estonian Defense Force is a reserve army which educates its squad and platoon commanders through conscription. To achieve better results the Estonian Defense Forces need commanders who possess not only the required knowledge and skills, but also the right attitudes that enable them to complete tasks in a combat situation. If attention is not paid to the attitudes of the commanders during conscription, then the risk arises that they will not respond to call-outs for mobilization or reservist training. And even if they do turn up, there is also the possibility that they will be unable to promptly fulfill their tasks according to their positions. The aim of the present article is to examine how the attitudes of conscript leaders are shaped, and whether they can be shaped. To this end, the author raised four research questions: 1) In which direction and in what way should the attitudes of the conscript leaders be shaped? 2) Are the attitudes of conscript leaders refl ected in the regulations? If yes, how? 3) How are leadership qualities understood and valued? 4) How are the attitudes of concript leaders shaped in practice?

  • Issue Year: 2014
  • Issue No: 19
  • Page Range: 46-74
  • Page Count: 29
  • Language: Estonian