2003 IMTA Proceedings - International Military Testing Association

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The French army, too, uses a morale questionnaire called the ‘Force Morale’ (Centre des
Relations Humaines, 1998). This serves as a reference and aid for commanders.
Almost all armed forces currently recognize the importance of morale and an effort is made
during training to create a strong group bond, high morale and high motivation by means of
gaining common experience.
Development of the Dutch Morale Questionnaire (DMQ)
In the development of the DMQ, international theoretical morale models were used. Van den
Bos, Tibboel and Willigenburg (1994) developed a theoretical model for the Dutch situation.
The basis of this model are factors distinguished by Gal (1986) and Mangelsdorff et al.
(1985). In 1997 the questionnaire was analyzed for the first time, questions were rephrased
and scales were added. In 2002, after nearly five years of experience with the questionnaire, a
second modification of the model has been executed. In table 1 an overview of measures is
presented that are used for the development of the DMQ.
Table 1. Overview of used measures
Unit Rotation Year Measure
1(NL) Mechbat
7 1999 1, 2, 3
SFOR in Bosnia
8 2000 1, 2
9 2000 1, 2, 3
10 2001 1, 2, 3
11 2001 1, 2
12 2002 1, 2
13 2002 1, 2
14 2003 1, 2, 3
1 (NL) Coy UNFICYP in Cyprus 2000 1, 2
41 Medical coy 2001 1
210 Fuel distribution coy 1997 1
400 Medical battalion 1998 1
The central question when developing a morale instrument was how that instrument might
contribute to raising morale. In order to be able to answer this question, it is necessary to look
at factors that influence morale. The concept of morale is composed of a number of factors,
the importance of each factor depends on the specific circumstances. 4 kinds of aspects can be
distinguished: individual, unit, leadership and organization.
In figure 1 a simplified model for predicting morale within military units is illustrated. Morale
can be predicted by measuring factors related to morale and is influenced by the net results of
a combination of the showed factors (interactive).
45 th Annual Conference of the International Military Testing Association
Pensacola, Florida, 3-6 November 2003