Motivational Theories and Their Relevance in Military Motivation

Abstract

Motivation is an important aspect that determines human behaviour and various studies have been carried out to establish the determinants of human behaviour and its motivational aspects. Military profession offers a different set of working conditions where the magnitude of challenges is well above those found in commercial and other business organisations. The aspects of motivation are peculiar to the military profession and Military motivation is in a league of its own. Militaries across the world face physical and psychological challenges at work that most other people don't. Being armed with the right set of motivational techniques is critical for rising to the demands of such challenges and ensuring the best performance from the soldiers.

This study aims to review the different motivational theories and determine their  relevance  in the context of military motivation. Four of the primary motivation theories in practice today have been reviewed for this purpose. These motivational theories include Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory, Herzberg’s Motivation-Maintenance Theory, McClelland’s Theory of Need Motivation and McGregor’s Theory X/ Theory Y. These theories show how employees can be motivated to achieve tasks set upon them in the workplace.

The relevance of these theories to Military motivation is analysed. Given the peculiarities of the working conditions of the military and the challenges faced therein, these motivational theories can be suitably adapted to modify the functional  aspects of military and institute suitable changes in the leadership styles and working mechanisms to improve motivation and enhance task achievement. It has been found that all these motivational theories are still relevant in military environment and can be factored in effectively in the Armed forces.