A Psychodynamic Systems Perspective on Command Relationship during Combat Operations
Abstract
The purpose of this research thesis is to provide new insight to one of the Danish Army's warfighting challenges pertaining to the breakdown of the command relationship between two levels of command in a military organization deployed in hostile environments. The thesis focuses on how subconscious processes influence the command relationship, and ultimately, how those processes contribute to the spectra of conflicts between the company level and battlegroup level. To that end, this thesis utilizes three different theories within psychodynamic system theory to analyzing interviews and questionnaires to identify perceived problem areas within the subconscious domain and their effects on the command relationship. The analysis of the empirical data has given an understanding of how subconscious processes influence command relations and as shown how the leadership roles of boundary regulation, problem solving and pathological process have influenced the command relationship in a variety of ways. It has also shown how splitting and projection have led to conflicts and subsequent breakdown of the command relationship. Overall this thesis has unmistakably shown that subconscious processes do play a role in the breakdown of command relationship, and thus have provided new insight to one the Danish Army's warfighting challenges.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 09, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1038730
Entities
People
- Dennis W. Hejlesen
Organizations
- United States Army Command and General Staff College