Attitudes Toward Peacekeeping and Peacemaking Among U.S. Infantry Soldiers Deployed to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
Abstract
This paper reports survey findings from 171 members of the 6-502d Infantry who had just returned to Berlin from their deployment to the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in support of Operation Able Sentry (January 1994). The focus is on those items related to attitudes about peacekeeping and serving with the United Nations as part of a multinational force. Although we hypothesized that their essentially "constabulary role" in Berlin would lead to attitudes more consistent with peacekeeping duty than those expressed by airborne and light infantry soldiers returning from previous peacekeeping assignments, the data did not show such differences. Like their counterparts in earlier operations, about half of the 6-502d soldiers questioned the appropriateness of the mission for their unit. At the same time, however, more than two-thirds recognized the importance of specialized peacekeeping training prior to taking up their border positions. Furthermore, the vast majority felt the battalion was well-trained for the mission, completed the mission successfully, and had no difficulties serving under a U.N. commander. A "professional ethic" was clearly more prevalent than a "constabulary" one.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA288757
Entities
People
- Mark A. Vaitkus
- Paul Bartone
Organizations
- Walter Reed Army Institute of Research