Military Research Articles

Leadership Approaches from the Perspective of its Particularities in the Military Organization

Abstract The activity of a manager within an organization is influenced by their general and specialized knowledge as well as the skills necessary for organizing, leading, and guiding subordinates. The most important organizational resource is the human being. The consequences of wrong decisions made by military managers in peacetime cannot be as grave as those made during wartime. In war, we no longer speak of the quality of life of the personnel but particularly of their lives. Unlike civilian leaders, military leaders have the prerogatives to ask their subordinates to risk their lives if the situation demands it for the mission’s accomplishment. A manager must have the ability to work with people. They must also be aware of the problems that people face within the organization, get involved in solving these issues, empathize with them, and know what motivates them the most to encourage them to surpass themselves in the actions undertaken. When you take care of your soldiers, ensuring they are well dressed, equipped, fed, and cared for, you demonstrate good administrative skills. It is hard to imagine a good leader being a poorly prepared administrator or manager, even if this practice involves delegating competencies to subordinates. In this context, the concept of leader-manager is utilized.

The Ottomans and International Law: The Russian Annexation of the Crimean Khanate in 1783 in the Light of the Documents from the Ottoman Archives

The Russian annexation of the Crimean Khanate was a severe blow to the Ottomans, since the empire was forced to accept the annexation of an independent polity populated by Muslims without a shot being fired, and against the stipulations of past treaties. While the Crimean population sent delegations to the imperial capital and asked for help, the Ottomans also feared the harm the annexation would inflict on their legitimacy; however, they were aware of their military and financial weakness in the face of the Austro-Russian alliance and could not risk a multi-front war. To handle this difficult situation, the Ottoman government resorted to two strategies: first, it sought an intra-bureaucratic consensus by employing the consultation principle of Islamic governance to allow bureaucratic participation in the decision-making process with unanimous decisions to avoid any criticisms that would trigger a popular backlash and, secondly, legitimizing the government policy by benefiting from the principles of Islamic law and portraying the current situation as a temporary one which would be corrected once the empire gained enough military strength. This article will use primary and secondary sources to show how the Ottoman government navigated this diplomatic crisis while aiming to legitimize its decisions by creatively adapting the principles of Islamic international law (siyar). It will emphasize the interaction between political authority, legitimacy, and Islamic law by discussing how the Ottomans interpreted Islamic law with respect to the termination of treaties and to power asymmetry in war decisions when the empire faced a multi-front war with Russia and Austria.

Generalized methodology of valuate using the satellite repeater connection for targeted purpose.

Providing electronic communication services to military formations that protect the state in the conditions of repelling a full-scale military invasion of the Russian Federation, requires the creation of a communication system (SZ) of the Armed Forces (AF) of Ukraine, which has the necessary properties to perform the assigned tasks as intended [1; 2]. According to the standard AJP-3 «Joint doctrine of the conduct of NATO operations» [3], increasing the combat capabilities of the combined forces and supporting operations (combat operations) is carried out, including through the use of satellite communications. The potential capabilities of satellite communication, such as broadcasting, high reliability and quality of communication channels, independence from distance, physical and geographical conditions, and high mobility, allow to ensure the communication of subscribers of the electronic communications system of the armed forces, which is a combat platform that allows the system management to receive network information services in real time. Modern satellite repeaters (SR) can have up to several dozen transponders of several frequency bands [4–6]. Satellite communication systems, which include several SRs, can provide high bandwidth of radio channels and the possibility of transmitting large volumes of information through them and allow solving the problem of creating global information and telecommunication systems and networks. The satellite communication system of the AF of Ukraine should be able to change the configuration for a specific service area depending on the needs of certain types of satellite networks, and therefore the satellite communication system of the AF of Ukraine should be based, including on SR communication of commercial appointment. The article proposes a generalized methodology for evaluating satellite communication relays of the SSR of the AF of Ukraine, the novelty of which is its general orientation for satellite communication systems built according to different architectural principles, using different frequency-orbital resources and providing different services using a methodological approach, which is based on the provisions of qualimetry and the calculation of integral and relative efficiency indicators, which takes into account the characteristic indicators of individual satellite repeaters.

Островки милосердия. Российские медики во время военных действий на Северном Кавказе в 1990 — начале 2000-х гг

At the turn of the XX–XXI centuries, Russia had to conduct active military operations twice to suppress the hotbed of separatism, crime and terrorism in the North Caucasus. Serious military medicine forces had to be involved. Meanwhile, the participation of medical professionals in two Chechen operations is still on the periphery of attention of domestic researchers. In the 1990s and early 2000s, the Russian mass media wrote that military doctors were helping wounded and sick servicemen of the federal troops directly on the front line and in rear hospitals, often informed the general public about maintaining the mental health of recent front-line soldiers, and also never ignored the assistance to the civilian population (women, the elderly, children) of the Chechen Republic. Some press publications described the most successful and complex operations performed by Russian military surgeons. In many publications of those years, you can also find reports about the doctors who distinguished themselves the most during the active hostilities and were awarded high state awards, including the Gold Star of the Hero of the Russian Federation. The practical activities of Russian doctors in the North Caucasus in the 1990s and early 2000s resulted not only in the saving of the lives of the vast majority of wounded soldiers, but also in restoration of the Chechen health system, prevention of epidemics and successful fight against numerous infectious diseases.

A Reassessment of Involuntary Allotment Order (IAO) Rates in the Malaysian Armed Forces

A Reassessment of Involuntary Allotment Order (IAO) Rates in the Malaysian Armed Forces

Gender perspective in the making: The case of the Colombian peacebuilding process

AbstractThe peace negotiation process between the Colombian Government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC‐EP) is considered one of the most comprehensive peace agreements and is internationally acclaimed for being the first in history to have a gender perspective as a guiding principle. However, several institutions mandated to monitor the gender perspective have identified signs of stagnation in this perspective. As the peace agreement enters the second half of its 15‐year implementation period, this article uses a conflict resolution framework to understand what might be preventing a successful and timely implementation of a gender perspective in Colombia. Findings emerging from recent research suggest that conceptual, technical, political, financial and security hurdles sustain a violent and discriminatory system for women, ultimately impacting the effectiveness of the peace agreement.

Diagnostic performance of the bioline dengue duo rapid test on symptomatic patients assisted at Armed Forces Hospital (Hfa) in Brasília, Brazil.

Dengue necessitates accurate diagnosis. Rapid tests such as Bioline™ DENGUE DUO have gained traction, but validation in specific populations is essential. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the Bioline™ test, alongside assessing the socio-epidemiological profile of symptomatic patients in a Brasília Military Hospital. The serum of 404 symptomatic patients was analyzed by the Bioline™ DENGUE DUO test, followed by Dengue virus detection and discrimination of the four serotypes by RT-qPCR. Accuracy was assessed using parameters including sensitivity (S), specificity (E), positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV), and positive (RV +) and negative (RV-) likelihood ratios. The NS1 component exhibited a sensitivity of 70.37%, a specificity of 97.30%, and an overall efficiency of 90.10% when compared to RT-qPCR as the gold standard. The IgM component demonstrated a sensitivity of 26.85%, a specificity of 89.53%, and an overall efficiency of 72.77% when compared to RT-qPCR as the gold standard. The IgG component demonstrated a sensitivity of 23.15%, a specificity of 68.92%, and an overall efficiency of 56.68% when compared to RT-qPCR as the gold standard. Several rapid tests are commercially available. However, considering variations across regions and demographic groups, it is important to question their accuracy in specific populations. Rapid tests are important screening tools, but they can have limitations for the certainty of diagnosis. Bioline™ DENGUE DUO displayed good specificity, but sensitivity was slightly below optimal levels. While helpful for confirming dengue, improvements are needed to effectively rule out the disease.

Sex/Gender and age differences in health behavior of employees participating and not participating in work health promotion measures in the German Federal Armed Forces - a cross-sectional study

Sex/Gender and age differences in health behavior of employees participating and not participating in work health promotion measures in the German Federal Armed Forces - a cross-sectional study

Comparative Analysis of the Content of Combat Orders in the Yugoslav People’s Army and Operational Orders in the Serbian Armed Forces

Abstract This paper undertakes a comparative analysis of the content of combat orders in the Yugoslav People’s Army and operational orders in the Serbian Armed Forces. Utilizing methods of content analysis and comparative analysis, this study identifies key differences and similarities between the two documents, shedding light on their respective advantages and disadvantages. While both documents serve to provide guidance and direction to military units, they differ significantly in structure, language, and emphasis. The analysis reveals that certain points of combat orders correspond to specific points of operational orders in terms of content. However, the operational order offers a more comprehensive assessment of the enemy and places a greater emphasis on decentralized execution compared to the combat order. Notable differences include the level of detail provided, with Yugoslav People’s Army combat orders being more verbose and reflecting a centralized command structure, whereas Serbian Armed Forces orders prioritize brevity and clarity. Despite these disparities, both documents underscore the importance of mission accomplishment, personnel welfare, and adherence to legal and ethical standards. They also recognize the need for adaptability and flexibility in dynamic operational environments.

Prevalence of Self-Medication Among Patients With Common Dermatological Diseases in Saudi Arabia.

Introduction Self-medication is defined as the use of a medication or product to treat, alleviate, or prevent a condition or symptom of an illness or to promote health. Self-management is increasingly used for dermatological diseases, especially chronic inflammatory skin diseases. Hence, it is crucialto be aware of its prevalence and the leading factors of its usage. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the prevalence of self-treatment for dermatological diseases and to determine possible factors associated with its practice. Methodology This is a cross-sectional online-based questionnaire study that was conducted in King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.In this study, we included all first-visit and follow-up patients diagnosed with vitiligo, eczema, alopecia areata, and psoriasis. Data analysis was conducted using JMP Statistical Discovery Software, version 15 (JMP Statistical Discovery LLC, Cary, NC). Results Of the 203 patients who participated in this study, 91 (44.8%) had vitiligo. Moreover, topical corticosteroids were the most commonly used medications in self-treatment and included mometasone and hydrocortisone, which were used by 143 (41.3%) and 50 (14.5%) patients, respectively.Thirty patients (16.2%) improved with self-treatment, whereas52 (28.1%) had no improvement. In addition, the most common reason for self-treatment was having mild symptoms of the disease in97 patients (30.1%). Conclusion This study revealed that theprevalence of self-treatment among various dermatological diseases was 53.2%. Topical corticosteroids were the most commonly used conventional medicines, whereas the most common alternative medications used were honey and henna. We found that the most common reason for self-treatment was mildness of the dermatological disease. Family and friends were the most common sources of information.

The UK VIRTUS helmet: User feedback from Operation TORAL in Afghanistan

In 2015, the VIRTUS helmet was introduced to UK Armed Forces and will ultimately replace the Mark 7 combat helmet. The VIRTUS helmet has a reduced trimline compared to the Mark 7 helmet and can incorporate attachments such as a visor, mandible guard and nape protection.An anonymous questionnaire was provided to 200 UK Armed Forces personnel deployed to four locations on Operation TORAL in Afghanistan between September and October 2019. This is the first User feedback survey assessing the VIRTUS helmet in an operational environment.Users were measured to ascertain the fit of their helmet and asked to rate perceived helmet mass and comfort using a 5-point Likert scale. Users were also asked whether the VIRTUS helmet was better than previous helmets and about their use of the nape protection. The VIRTUS helmet was perceived to be an improvement over previously issued UK combat helmets in terms of both comfort and mass.

Factors associated with well-being among treatment-seeking UK Veterans: A cross-sectional study

LAY SUMMARY Veterans seeking treatment for mental health problems are likely to face more than one problem. Well-being is a concept that does not rely on any mental health diagnosis or difficulty and may offer a broader way to capture mental health. In this study, 428 UK Armed Forces Veterans seeking treatment for mental health difficulties at a UK-based charity completed a survey asking about mental health and well-being. Overall, treatment-seeking Veteran well-being was associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression, physical health, problems with anger, moral injury, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and complex PTSD. Sleep problems, alcohol misuse, and loneliness were also linked with well-being scores. These associations suggest that well-being may capture Veteran health in a way that is separate from any single diagnosis, meaning outcomes for Veterans with complex needs who require a range of support can be compared. These results also highlight the relevance of positive mental health, as opposed to mental ill health.

Characteristic Elements of Combat Drones in Military Actions. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Procured by Romanian Armed Forces

Abstract Developments in the war of the future have brought to the fore unmanned aircraft or drones used in national and/or multinational military actions, as particularly important means to achieve operational success. The parameters related to this modern, flexible and particularly maneuverable combat system allow the conjugation of capabilities necessary to fulfill the missions received by the operational structures during preparation and conduct of operations. The present study first provides a general approach to drone use in military actions, taking into account aspects from previous armed conflicts, as well as from the ongoing war in Ukraine. The objective of the study points to a series of important drone purchases that will be made by our country, to increase the combat potential of the Romanian joint and tactical forces, which will act on national territory and within the North Atlantic Alliance, against any aggressive forces of an unfriendly state.

The challenges of leaving: Reintegration difficulties and negative mental health outcomes in UK Armed Forces Veterans residing in Northern Ireland

LAY SUMMARY Community reintegration refers to the period during which a person transitions from military service to civilian life. In the United Kingdom, understanding of the mental health impacts of community reintegration is limited because of the lack of research in this area. This study explored the extent to which a range of different aspects of community reintegration difficulties predicted the likelihood of experiencing several mental health disorders among 626 Northern Ireland Veterans. Results demonstrated that reintegration difficulties significantly predicted clinically relevant levels of anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, and problematic alcohol use (even when other known risk factors for mental ill health among Veteran populations were considered). Reintegration difficulties in relation to interpersonal relationships was the most detrimental aspect of reintegration in terms of mental ill health. Findings demonstrated that difficulties reintegrating into civilian life after military service are a significant risk factor for a range of mental health disorders, underscoring the importance of interventions aimed at supporting military personnel during this time.

Perimenopause management in defence primary healthcare: exploring GPs' knowledge and confidence.

The average age of the menopause in the United Kingdom is 52 but symptoms of the perimenopause (PMP) can start at 40 or earlier. The UK Armed Forces (UKAF) has a young demographic but women serving over the age of 40, potentially with PMP symptoms, has increased. Recent evidence suggested PMP management by Defence GPs was satisfactory but variable. Because of small numbers, Defence GPs have less exposure to the PMP than NHS GPs, a problem exacerbated for Uniformed GPs who have reduced clinical contact time due to military duties. This study aimed to explore Defence GP knowledge and confidence in managing the PMP, identifying factors contributing to disparities. This study used a sequential mixed-methods approach. A survey with self-rating questions and vignettes was undertaken, followed by semi-structured interviews of selectively sampled respondents. 164 out of 542 Defence GPs responded to a survey, which identified reasonable knowledge (91.3% managing cases per guidelines) but reduced confidence (54.3%). Regression analysis identified case exposure to the PMP, education, and gender as significant factors affecting confidence in PMP management. Themes identified from interviews which were felt to affect knowledge and confidence included: Characteristics of the GP (such as gender); lifelong learning and reflective practice; professional exposure to, and awareness of, the PMP; the changing demographic of Defence; an integrated PMP service to provide experiential learning. Case exposure and experiential learning emerged as the main drivers for confidence. For Uniformed GPs, this was affected by limited clinical time, but confidence returned once exposed to just a few PMP cases. Establishing an integrated PMP service in Defence was seen as crucial for improving care as well as providing educational opportunities through experiential learning for Defence GPs.

Challenges and Prospects in Urban Warfare: An Analytical Framework

Abstract The population living in cities around the world will increase in the next decades. Conventional military forces will deploy more in constrained areas where their high-tech capabilities are not an advantage. This research provides an analytical framework for understanding the main challenges of urban warfare for conventional forces. The analysis identifies the military organizational dimension, dual-use technologies as game changers, and the role of civilian population in urban environments as key factors. The conclusions provide some policy recommendations concerning training and communication strategies. The prospects of urban warfare will be defined by a combination of cognitive and kinetic actions.

مسوغات الحرب في الشريعة الإسلامية: دراسة مقارنة بالقانون الدولي المعاصر

This study aims to identify the reasons that justify the state’s use of military force in self-defense according to Islamic Sharia, in comparison with the justifications in contemporary international law. In this study, we have adopted the inductive method by tracing the particulars related to the topic in their sources, the deductive method in extracting rulings from Sharia and legal texts, and the comparative method in comparing the rulings of Sharia with the law. The study concluded that the justifications for war of various types in Islamic Sharia are limited to two cases: legitimate defense and the achievement of justice. This includes self-defense, repelling injustice, supporting the oppressed who are unable to defend themselves, ensuring freedom of belief, ensuring the safe delivery and dissemination of the Islamic message, cooperating with non-Muslims in fighting a common enemy, and repelling aggression against others. In contrast, international public law limits justifications to cases of legitimate defense and Security Council resolutions, and the use of military force is not justified except in the case of an armed attack. The study also concluded that offensive warfare is considered nothing more than preventive defense.

Constructing and optimizing epoxy resin-based carbon Nanotube/Barium ferrite microwave absorbing coating system

High-performance microwave absorbing coatings are highly indispensable for protecting human health and enhancing military strength. A single- and double-layer wave-absorbing coating system that employs complex microwave absorbers composed of the helical carbon nanotubes/doped barium ferrite composite with epoxy resin as the matrix was developed. The concentration and thickness of the coating were optimized by the numerical simulation and the adaptive genetic algorithm. The developed helical carbon nanotubes/doped barium ferrite wave-absorbing composites have a porous reticular structure, with abundant microscopic cavities and an adequately conductive network. The coatings are characterized by a flat surface, good uniformity, and high density. The reflectivity measured by the arch method is similar to that obtained through the finite element simulation, where the absorption bands of all the developed coatings are distributed in the range of 10–18 GHz. The optimized wave-absorbing coating exhibits the most uniform scattering pattern, the largest radar cross section (RCS) reduction, the smallest input reflection coefficient, and the highest absorptivity. Thus, it exhibits the best comprehensive microwave-absorption performance with a minimum reflection loss of −17.22 dB at 16.66 GHz. In particular, the absorption bandwidth of the coating can reach 9.16 GHz, which is attributable to its multiple synergistic electromagnetic attenuation mechanisms and its excellent characteristics of interference-cancellation and impedance-matching characteristics. Generally, helical carbon nanotubes/doped barium ferrite wave-absorbing coatings are promising candidates for applications in Ku-band microwave absorption.

Does the Offence– Defence Theory Explain War Onset Between Small States? Causes and Consequences of the 2020–2023 Armenia–Azerbaijan War

The article explores the causes and consequences of the 2020–2023 Karabakh War between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan reclaimed large parts of territories within 44 days of the war in 2020, the country lost control in the early 1990s and was only hindered from full control by a Russian-brokered ceasefire. Over the subsequent three years, Azerbaijan gradually asserted dominance, reclaiming all lost territories by 2023. The study probes the war’s causes and Azerbaijan’s military success. It focuses on power imbalances and strategic dynamics between the two countries that led to the war. By applying the offence–defence theory, it argues that shifting economic and military strengths rendered war inevitable due to deadlock in negotiations. Azerbaijan’s military investment, modernisation and purchase of advanced technological armament changed the balance between the two states and increased its offensive advantage. The article also examines underlying regional power competition, shaping post-war dynamics in the South Caucasus.

THE VALUE OF THE CORRELATION BETWEEN MILITARY LEADER CHARACTER AND ORGANIZATIONAL CULTURE AS VECTORS FOR INCREASING ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE

In this article, I wanted to conduct an exploratory study to demonstrate the importance of the military leader's character and how performance growth is achieved in the military organization. The study seeks to identify whether there is a significant relationship between the interconnections, implications and valences of military leader character related to increasing organizational effectiveness and organizational efficiency, organizational performance, and the significance by which character enhances the valences of the military leader's skills and the military of each military structure. The issue of character is becoming a major requirement and is considered essential to the professional performance of a military leader. Thus, the formation and development of those professionally valuable character traits in association with organisational culture, performance and professional competence is a complex, timely and comprehensive area of organisational concern.