Suspending Routine Duty

The Sociological Significance of Military Holidays and Ceremonies

Bibliographic Data

ID2340490
AuthorsRichard Machalek (University of Wyoming, corresponding author), Andrew D Katayama (United States Air Force Academy, corresponding author), James E Patrey (Naval Air Systems Command), James Patrey (Naval Air Systems Command, corresponding author), Dana H Born (United States Air Force Academy, corresponding author)
Year2006
Volume32
Issue3
Pages389-404
Publication date2006-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueArmed Forces & Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0095-327X • E-ISSN: 1556-0848
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0095327x05281675
OpenAlexW2033141849
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited10

Recently, the sociologist Amitai Etzioni developed a theory of the significance of holidays as 'seedbeds of virtue' and agents of socialization. With minor modifications, Etzioni's theory can shed light on the sociological significance of holiday celebrations and ceremonies in military organizations. This article focuses on two key aspects of military holidays that distinguish them from their civilian counterparts: (1) the centrality of the normative notion of 'duty' in military culture and (2) the unique temporal constraints to which military holiday celebrations are subjected. Consistent with Etzioni's claim that holidays function, in part, as agents of socialization, the authors examine holiday celebrations and ceremonies at a major organizational site of military socialization, the United States Air Force Academy. The authors explain how unique properties of military organizations and cultures shape the nature and sociological functions of holiday celebrations and ceremonies in the armed forces

Centrality · Duty · Function (biology) · Normative · Political science · Social science · Socialization · Sociology · Law · Military History and Strategy · Psychology · Social Psychology

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