TRADOC Pam 525-3-7-01 - TRADOC - U.S. Army

TRADOC Pam 525-3-7-01Figure 3-1. Determinants of MoraleDeveloped from studying the science of war, these factors support the conclusions reached bySlim, one of the preeminent practitioners of the art of war. He devoted significant discussion tohis efforts to rebuild the morale of the 14 th Army after it suffered a series of humiliating defeatsby Japanese forces in Burma:So when I took command, I sat quietly down to work out this business of morale.I came to certain conclusions, based not on any theory I had studied, but on someexperience and a good deal of hard thinking. It was on these conclusions that I setout to consciously raise the fighting spirit of my Army. . . Their morale must—have certain foundations. These foundations are spiritual, intellectual, andmaterial, and that is the order of their importance. 67Slim’s spiritual factors include a noble and important purpose, achievable objectives, and theSoldier’s belief that his efforts are important and essential to attaining the objective. Cognitivefactors consist of competent caring leaders and well trained units while material factors includereceiving the best weapons and equipment possible and quality living and working conditions. 68Colonel Frederick J. Manning, from the Army Research Institute (ARI), reached similarconclusions. He sorts these determinants of morale into individual and group factors. In additionto the physical elements of quality of life and fatigue, Manning’s individual factors, like Slim’s,include psychological needs. There is consensus between scientists, theorists, and practitionerson the factors that affect Soldier morale. The quality of the leadership, the nature of the conflict62