QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF MOTIVATIONS FOR BEING A SOLDIER
QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF MOTIVATIONS FOR BEING A SOLDIER

Summary/Abstract: Background and aims: The main topic of the study is learning more about and demonstrating soldiers’ motivations and comparing them to the needs identified in the military need-hierarchy model. In order to improve the retention capability, the aim of the study has been to identify those motivational factors which help continue in the military service. Methods: The subjects were soldiers from the Hungarian Army, selected by random sampling (n=28). The participants were men and women, officers and NCOs, respectively. The interviewees have been asked to complete the open sentence “I would like to be a soldier, because…”. The texts have been analyzed using the Grounded Theory method. Results: The basis of the obtained pyramid is the Military Career together with the Organizational Culture, both associated with the basic needs described in the model (e.g. good equipment, attractive salary). Security could be divided into two parts (markedly distinct from the theoretical model), looking from security and providing help, respectively. Other main topics are Team Spirit, Learning and Development, Looking for Challenges, Feeling of Life and Patriotism, respectively. The whole pyramid is transfixed by Appreciation being present all around, a topic worth for further research. Conclusion: In addition to the general needs present in any occupation (such us safe job, emotional and physical security, housing allocation, good salary), military personnel show special, higher level needs: the feeling of belonging, team cohesion, appreciation, admission, and self-actualization. military personnel show special, higher level needs: the feeling of belonging, team cohesion, appreciation, admission, and self-actualization.

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