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

TRADOC Pam 525-3-7-01Xerxes’ Army at Thermopylae in 480 before the Common Era. Defending to the last man, theirexample of cohesion inspired the other Greek city-states to unite, leading to their eventual victoryover Persia.Surprisingly, little discussion on building and maintaining unit cohesion appears in Armyleadership or training doctrine. Military groupThe Brotherhoodcohesion develops beyond just primary groupsat four interrelated levels: peer (horizontal), I know why men who have been to warleader (vertical), organizational (battalion, yearn to reunite. Not to tell stories or lookregiment) and institutional (Army). Building at old pictures. Not to laugh or weep.cohesive units is important today because it Comrades gather because they long to becontributes to building and maintaining morale, with the men who once acted at their best;and because it enhances unit performance and men who suffered and sacrificed, whoreduces discipline problems. It will only suffered and were stripped of theirbecome more valuable in the future as the Army humanity.faces challenges that are more complex.I did not pick these men. They wereHorizontal or peer bonding involves delivered by fate and the military. But Ibuilding a sense of mutual trust between know them in a way I know no other men.Soldiers in small units (platoon, squad, team) I have never given anyone such trust. Theyand among peer leaders (officers and NCOs) were willing to guard something morethrough shared experiences. It is about precious than my life. They would haverelationships based on direct personal carried my reputation, the memory of me.interaction and social exchange between It was part of the bargain we all made, themembers. Factors that affect peer bonding reason we were so willing to die for oneinclude personnel stability, unit command another. As long as I have memory, I willclimate, quality of training, teamwork, think of them all, every day. I am sure thatsatisfying physical needs, clear and meaningful when I leave this world, my last thoughtgroup missions, presence of a common enemy, will be of my family and mya sense of accomplishment from successfully comrades…such good men.accomplished tasks and missions, and individualAuthor unknownor group recognition for good performance.Given sufficient time and good leaders, small highly competent, tight-knit units developstandards and norms of principled behavior that guide the individual conduct of its members forthe collective good. At the most elementary levels, Soldiers in small cohesive units developinterdependence on one another for basic survival that leads to personal loyalty and acommitment not to let one another down.Cohesion is evident when individual goals and group goals coincide, when the first loyalty ofeach individual is to the group, when individuals resist leaving the group, and when individualsin the group act as a coordinated, collective whole and willingly accept the possibility of death topreserve the unit or accomplish the mission. Soldiers in cohesive units speak in terms of “we”rather than “I.” Such bonds also support and sustain Soldiers against stresses they wouldotherwise be unable to withstand. In turn, retention is higher; both battle and non-battlecasualties are lower. 76 Finally, some studies argue that within highly cohesive units, incidents ofindividual heroism are also higher. 7765