Abstract
Battlefield motivation and its manifestative nuances have always aroused interest among students of warfare. The article delves upon two fundamental approaches to combat motivation viz. religion centric and organisational ethos (Naam Namak Nishan Sentiment) driven. Combat motivation is a phenomenon that causes in a combatant an inner compulsion to fight on the battlefield. While religious motivation is regarded by many as the highest and purest form of motivation, it has certain evident pitfalls. At the same time combat motivation based on organisational ethos approach, derives strength from certain institutional values including secular credentials of the fighting force. However, this too has certain contextual limitations. It is therefore postulated that optimum battlefield motivation is an intangible virtue that rests on a scientific mix of personal (sum total of moral, social and religious) and organisational (professional and ethical) factors. Also, religion as a motivating factor is exceptional as long as it radiates inner strength to a soldier in combat situation, however, it loses its sheen when exploited to derive motivation by denigrating and demeaning the enemy and promoting them as ‘enemies of own faith’.
Keywords: Combat Motivation, Religion Centric Motivation, Organisational Ethos, Optimum Battlefield Motivation, Leadership and Camaraderie
