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Combat Motivation and Combat Action: Dutch Soldiers in Operations since the Second World War. A Research Note

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Armed Forces & Society

Published online on

Abstract

This research note presents the findings of a survey study among veterans from the Netherlands armed forces who participated in operations since the Second World War. The aim of the study is to reveal the veterans’ experiences with respect to their combat motivation—or lack thereof—and actual participation in combat actions. The data demonstrate that over time the degree of combat motivation has increased. The data also demonstrate that those who participated in combat actions and were motivated to do so are generally positive about operational and social–psychological aspects of the organization and its surroundings. The implications of these findings are discussed.