Managing selected areas of preparation military personnel for their assigned roles in the state

Abstract

Purpose: The main objective of the research presented in this paper is to identify the research gap in the management of the process of competence preparation of soldiers in the context of their social roles and expectations of citizens. To achieve this goal, the first part of the paper explains the concepts of professional training and activities that shape a professional serviceman. The second part of the paper is devoted to social competence vs. emotional intelligence in the management of military personnel. The third part analyzes the results of a study of the extent to which military personnel fulfill the roles assigned to this formation in society. Design/methodology/approach: The research presented in this study is based on the analysis of the literature and critical review of selected areas of professional preparation of military personnel. The literature study also took into account secondary sources, which were research communications in the subject area. Using methods of logical deduction and inference, conclusions and recommendations were derived, which are presented in the final part of the article. The combination of different research methods made it possible to obtain a broader context of the phenomenon under study and ensured a higher quality of the research conducted. Personal experience regarding the training of military personnel was also used, as the author is professionally involved in the academic training of military personnel, as discussed in this paper. Findings: The dynamics and high level of complexity in the modern world of VUCA, moreover the expectations of societies force the continuous improvement of the process of competence preparation of military personnel. Studies indicate that the profession of a soldier is oriented towards fulfilling the basic needs of the other which are the needs for security and protection of private property and more broadly of society as a whole. In the research, those interviewed presented that they feel a moral responsibility to fulfill their role primarily to society and their own conscience. This is confirmed by the awareness of military personnel as to their choice of vocation in their professional life and service, as well as the properly conducted process of professional development of cadres and the correct direction of competence development. However, in areas such as the opinions of subordinates, one can find opinions suggesting demonstrated deficiencies in social behavior, especially in superiors, which should be monitored in professional development and supplemented as necessary. Research limitations/implications: Continuous changes in the sphere of security, customs, trends and in the structure of societies result in the emergence of new expectations and needs addressed to military personnel. This is a contribution to continuing research on the directions of development in the field of competence development in a dynamically changing environment. Practical implications: The recommendations developed on the basis of the research is the identified need to develop professional competence in the emotional intelligence (competence) of military personnel, especially in the cognitive and social aspects, ensuring the adaptation of soldiers to function under threat conditions. This should result in the expansion of the periodic evaluation questionnaires, to which soldiers are subjected, with indicators and measures relating to the individual assessment of competence preparation in relation to social and emotional competence, and the preparation of a program to improve the diagnosed shortcomings in this area. Originality/value: Based on the conducted research, the article proposes original system solutions for managing the competence development of military personnel in their roles in society. Keywords: human factor, military personnel. Category of the paper: Research paper.