Motivation in U.S. Narrative Accounts of the Ground War in Vietnam

Bibliographic Data

ID7665185
AuthorsDavid K Vaughan (Sultan Qaboos University, corresponding author), William A Schum (Director's Action Group, Human Systems Program Of-fice, 311th Human Systems Wing, at Brooks Air Force Base, near San Antonio, Texas)
Year2001
Volume28
Issue1
Pages7-31
Publication date2001-10-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueArmed Forces & Society (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0095-327X • E-ISSN: 1556-0848
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0095327x0102800102
OpenAlexW1970354790
LanguageEN
Citations received11

This study applied a content analysis methodology to eighteen narrative nonfiction accounts written by men who saw combat in the Vietnam ground war. The narratives were examined for evidence of the motivational factors, derived from a comparative study of experts in the field, that provided the basis for their authors' actions in a combat environment. This exploratory investigation found that the most important motivational factors were primary group allegiance, combat survival, leadership, and duty, factors traditionally ranked high in previous studies. However, it also revealed noticeable differences in motivational factors correlated with the authors' rank, previous military experience, and period of Vietnam service. While the sample size was small, the results indicate a promising area for further research

Allegiance · Exploratory research · Literature · Narrative · Political science · Politics · Social science · Sociology · Vietnam War · Law · Military History and Strategy · Military, Security, and Education Studies · Nuclear Issues and Defense · Psychology · Social Psychology

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