<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> To preemptively respond to the ever changing battlefield and in light of growing threats to national security, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and by extension the U.S. military, have developed human performance optimization (HPO) initiatives to improve warfighter performance for increasing mission readiness. African American officers, by way of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), have long been and continue to be an important constituency for this strategy.Using the results of an online search via the Internet of HPO-like academic offerings at HBCUs, this paper proposes that the U.S. military could enhance its war fighting capability, and specifically that of its African American officers, for increased preparedness, increased performance and sustained and increased readiness by modeling HPO like programs at HBCUs. The authors examine similar efforts around the world, offer the potential benefits to be derived from expanded collaborations between the U.S. military and HBCUs and discuss the implications for the U.S. military and militaries within international communities, HBCUs and future research. </abstract>

Ph.D., Associate Professor, Mark O. Hatfield School of Government, College of Urban and Public Affairs, Portland State University,

Human Performance Resource Center, Consortium for Health and Military Performance (CHAMP), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS),

Ph.D., Director, Consortium for Health and Military Performance (CHAMP), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS),

Employing Human Performance Optimization Initiatives from Historically Black Colleges and Universities: The Case of the U.S. Military

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> The purpose of this research is to study the significance of buyers for the transport sector, and in this particular case, the role of the Finnish Defence Forces. The theoretical model is tested with survey data (N = 460) collected from Finnish transport operators that do business with the Finnish Defence Forces. The data is analysed using structural equation modelling. Analyses reveal that the military forces are an important actor in the transport sector in Finland. Firstly, the military forces buy a lot of logistics services and secondly, the military forces train a significant amount of what are considered skilful truck drivers. Furthermore, seeing as there are some elements of economic protectionism in the military forces’ buying behaviour, the military forces are an excellent context in which to study loyalty and partnership in business relationships. The military forces can, for instance, improve operator satisfaction with the transport sector and help domestic hauliers compete against cabotage operations, and in doing so, also improve the military forces’ capability to maintain security of supply. </abstract>

University of Oulu, Department of Marketing,

National Defence University, Department of Leadership and Military Pedagogy,

A Case Study on the Role of the Finnish Defence Forces in the Transport Sector

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> Strategic communication has replaced information warfare. As Art of War has been replaced by science, the representations of war and the role of the military have changed. Both war and military forces are now associated with binary roles: destruction vs. humanity, killing vs. liberating. The logic behind ‘bombing for peace’ is encoded in the Grand Military Narrative. This narrative is hidden in American (and NATO) strategies such as Effects Based Operations, which rely heavily on technology. As people aim to rationalize the world with technology, they fail to take into account the uncertainty it brings. In warfare, that uncertainty is verbalized as “friendly fire”, “collateral damage” or simply as “accident”. Success and failure are up to technology. Technology is no longer a tool, but an ideology and an actor that not only ‘enables’ the military to take action, but legitimizes it. This article aims to contribute to military studies by analyzing, in the spirit of critical discourse analysis, American ‘Grand Military Narrative’ and he standard and trends of rhetoric it creates. The article focuses on pinpointing some of the linguistic choices and discourses that define the so-called ‘techno-speak’, the product of modern techno-ideology. These discourses result in representations of techno-centered binary values, which steer military strategy and foreign policy. </abstract>

MA, Department of Leadership and Military Pedagogy, National Defence University, Helsinki,

Professor, Department of Leadership and Military Pedagogy, National Defence University, Helsinki,

The Hidden Grand Narrative of Western Military Policy: A Linguistic Analysis of American Strategic Communication

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> The effectiveness of a coaching process called Deep Lead, deriving from the leadership training of the Finnish Defence Forces, has not been studied efficiently in different civil organisations. This article presents an insight into the effectiveness of this coaching method in two different work communities (PVO-Vesivoima and TAC Finland Inc. Service). The main research question in this article is how to ensure the effectiveness of this particular type of leadership coaching / training. To achieve the best possible results, methodological triangulation was needed in this survey. In this article, two contributing models were introduced (figures 2 and 3) for examining coaching or training effectiveness. By means of these, it can hopefully be examined in the future whether the coaching / training process remains to be a cost, or whether it is an essential investment for the work communities. According to the leadership coaching effectiveness research results of the study at PVO-Vesivoima, such areas as co-operation, interaction and feedback culture were strengthened. As a conclusion, it can be stated that this leadership coaching process works as a practical leadership tool for management in developing the work community both internally and externally. Another example was a work community (TAC Finland Inc Service) that aimed to improve customer satisfaction, evoke know-how, and improve profits by using the deep lead -coaching method. According to the research results, remarkable improvements were accomplished in every field mentioned compared to the time preceding the leadership coaching process or the beginning of the leadership coaching process. In both examples, results were studied using different indicators, different time spans, different methods, and by different reports done by different people. As an outcome of these researches, the leadership coaching process was considered to be effective in PVO-Vesivoima and in TAC, and in the conclusion a practical description of leadership coaching / training or other educational intervention verified on an individual level is introduced. </abstract>

Deep Leadership Coaching Effectiveness

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> In this study, the existence of reading difficulties (RD) among young adults and the relation between RD, cognitive abilities and length of service period were examined. The aim was to study the manifestation of reading difficulties with young adult males, the connection between different cognitive abilities and reading comprehension and decoding skills, and to determine whether the membership of different reading skills groups was related to the length of the service period, which is partly dependent on the scores of cognitive assessment in military service, Basic Test 1. The participants in this study (N=1399) were Finnish adolescents (mean age 20 years, sd .61) participating in compulsory military service. Every Finnish male citizen is obligated to undergo military service and because RD is more common in males than females, warfare becomes more technological and military training is increasingly based on written material that requires reading skills, it is very reasonable to study RD with persons in military service. Results showed that reading difficulties persist into adulthood, but some regional differences were found, and reading difficulties (especially decoding difficulties) had only a minor direct connection to the length of the service period. </abstract>

Department of Special Education, Philosophical Faculty, University of Eastern Finland,

Department of Psychology, University of Jyväskylä,

Department of Behavioural Sciences, National Defence University,

The Relation Between Finnish Conscripts’ Reading Difficulties (Rd), Cognitive Abilities And The Length Of Service Period

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> This research questions the value of empiricism and historical case studies in higher level officer education. It will instead emphasize the need and importance of a rationalist approach to knowledge. It will outline a tentative example of an abstract approach to case studies. By doing this the author seeks to enhance the education of abstract thinking - an art that is required from joint level and general staff officers. </abstract>

An Abstract Approach. Rational Non-Sense To Replace Historical Nonsense in Educating Leaders

AHEAD OF PRINT

Volume 12 (2023): Issue 1 (December 2023)

Volume 11 (2022): Issue 1 (December 2022)

Volume 10 (2021): Issue 1 (December 2021)

Volume 9 (2020): Issue 1 (December 2020)

Volume 8 (2019): Issue 2019 (December 2019)

Volume 7 (2016): Issue 1 (December 2016)

Volume 6 (2015): Issue 2 (December 2015)

Volume 6 (2015): Issue 1 (June 2015)

Volume 5 (2014): Issue 2 (December 2014)

Volume 5 (2014): Issue 1 (June 2014)

Volume 4 (2013): Issue 1 (December 2013)

Volume 3 (2012): Issue 1 (December 2012)

Volume 2 (2011): Issue 1 (December 2011)

Volume 1 (2010): Issue 1 (December 2010)

Journal of Military Studies

 The Journal of Military Studies (JMS) is a peer-reviewed multidisciplinary journal publishing original research articles in selected areas of military studies. Distinguishing from most other peer-reviewed journals, JMS’s approach is more military oriented focusing on technology management and exploitation, technological choices and requirements, tactical considerations etc. giving support to Battle Field Analysts as well as Academic Officer Education.  The journal publishes articles from the following areas of military studies:   operational art and tactics,  military technology and operational analysis,  weaponization of new technologies,  robotics, hypersonics, cyber, artificial intelligence and quantum,  capabilities e.g. defence inventory and acquisition,  military strategy and international politics,  military pedagogy,  military social sciences, like human factors,  military leadership and organisation,  military history,  arctic warfare,  any other area of warfare if well justified.   The journal publishes peer-reviewed academic-level articles, which are first published electronic form, and are printed in a series of volumes according to separate schedule. In addition extended versions of conference papers may be considered for publication. The journal does not publish surveys, tutorials or other articles without new scientific contribution.  The articles are subjected to a double-blind review and any suggestions or criticism is strictly constructive so as to benefit the author and assist them in improving their work.  The journal does not have article processing charges (APCs) nor article submission charges.  Rejection Rate:   50%   Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 