In recent years, the military has seen a significant increase in instances of espionage, disciplinary infringements and other cases harmful to its image.
The unique nature of military assignments comes with far more pressure than a normal job. However, encouraging positive interpersonal interactions that promote solidarity is the most effective method for risk reduction.
The leadership styles of military officers directly influence feelings of unity and solidarity among soldiers.
Solidarity can create relationships akin to brotherhood, allowing soldiers in a unit to share aspirations and hardships. This sense of camaraderie can bring comfort despite the difficulty of some military assignments. Although the military emphasizes a hierarchical system of obedience — where every command is followed without question — officers should also work to establish close relationships with fellow soldiers. More than mere obedience, officers’ displays of genuine concern for their fellow soldiers is the best way to guarantee high morale.
The entire military must work together to establish solidarity and high morale across all ranks, along with a strong sense of shared identity within the military — this is the best way to build highly effective, battle-ready forces.
Soldiers rarely have opportunities for team-building activities or group trips. Although recreational activities are often held within barracks, they typically consist of superficial forms of entertainment and do nothing to build motivation or solidarity.
The military could use behavioral science techniques used by many businesses to foster sympathy and a shared sense of purpose within an organization, thereby enhancing work efficiency to achieve organizational goals. That approach could not only improve soldiers’ interpersonal skills, but could also promote an atmosphere of solidarity within a unit.
The confidential nature of military assignments has led to a disconnect between the military and the outside world. For this reason, many soldiers want nothing more than to relax when they have time off, which has led to many disciplinary incidents.
The military should try its best to create more opportunities for soldiers’ families to become involved in its environment.
The more family members become familiar with the military environment, the better they can understand the challenges their loved ones face. Deeper understanding from family members could help soldiers feel more relaxed, which could mitigate risks and encourage the successful completion of assignments.
In summary, risk management in the military should focus on improving the quality of leadership of military officers, cultivating team dynamics within units and allowing family members to integrate with the military environment.
Together, these measures can create strong feelings of solidarity and improve morale across all ranks, foster a sense of joint identity and build a highly effective, battle-ready military force.
Chen Chi-nung is a political commentator.
Translated by Kyra Gustavsen
As strategic tensions escalate across the vast Indo-Pacific region, Taiwan has emerged as more than a potential flashpoint. It is the fulcrum upon which the credibility of the evolving American-led strategy of integrated deterrence now rests. How the US and regional powers like Japan respond to Taiwan’s defense, and how credible the deterrent against Chinese aggression proves to be, will profoundly shape the Indo-Pacific security architecture for years to come. A successful defense of Taiwan through strengthened deterrence in the Indo-Pacific would enhance the credibility of the US-led alliance system and underpin America’s global preeminence, while a failure of integrated deterrence would
It is being said every second day: The ongoing recall campaign in Taiwan — where citizens are trying to collect enough signatures to trigger re-elections for a number of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) legislators — is orchestrated by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), or even President William Lai (賴清德) himself. The KMT makes the claim, and foreign media and analysts repeat it. However, they never show any proof — because there is not any. It is alarming how easily academics, journalists and experts toss around claims that amount to accusing a democratic government of conspiracy — without a shred of evidence. These
Taiwan is confronting escalating threats from its behemoth neighbor. Last month, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army conducted live-fire drills in the East China Sea, practicing blockades and precision strikes on simulated targets, while its escalating cyberattacks targeting government, financial and telecommunication systems threaten to disrupt Taiwan’s digital infrastructure. The mounting geopolitical pressure underscores Taiwan’s need to strengthen its defense capabilities to deter possible aggression and improve civilian preparedness. The consequences of inadequate preparation have been made all too clear by the tragic situation in Ukraine. Taiwan can build on its successful COVID-19 response, marked by effective planning and execution, to enhance
Since taking office, US President Donald Trump has upheld the core goals of “making America safer, stronger, and more prosperous,” fully implementing an “America first” policy. Countries have responded cautiously to the fresh style and rapid pace of the new Trump administration. The US has prioritized reindustrialization, building a stronger US role in the Indo-Pacific, and countering China’s malicious influence. This has created a high degree of alignment between the interests of Taiwan and the US in security, economics, technology and other spheres. Taiwan must properly understand the Trump administration’s intentions and coordinate, connect and correspond with US strategic goals.
RSS