I__. - International Military Testing Association

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of the results occurred at the SL level of breaks. Seldom would
one find all SM-SL links within a platoon equally rated.
Therefore, taking an average SM-SL cohesion rating for the three
squads within a platoon moderated particularly strong or weak
links. A break at the SM-SL level would meet the z 5 -.5
criterion only if one or more of the SM-SL links were extremely
weak. Nevertheless, good links in other squads could compensate
and result in the platoon having acceptable performance. This,
and other explanations are being studied.
Examination of Figure 2 reveals additional findings.
Generally, the fewer cohesion breaks there are, the better the
performance with performance being best when there are no
cohesion breaks at all. Performance is maintained at an average
level with one or two breaks. Additional breaks in cohesion
correspond to less than average performance.
In summary, while a causal relationship can not be inferred,
it appears that the strength of vertical cohesion as measured
prior to engagement is a good predictor of platoon performance at
a Combat Training Center. Vertical cohesion appears most
important to platoon performance at the top platoon leadership
levels, that of PS and PL. Where cohesion breaks at this level,
performance tends to be less effective. However, when vertical
cohesion is strong (that is, when subordinates see their
superiors at taking care of them and being skilled), performance
is strong. These findings are important because they
quantitatively confirm "common lore"; they suggest the cohesive
strength of a chain can be measured, and they indicate that the
success of any efforts to increase or maintain the strength of
vertical cohesion in a platoon focused chain of command can be
assessed against a clear criterion measure.
REFERENCES
Siebold G.L. and Kelly, D.R. (1988a) The impact of cohesion on
platoon performance at the Joint Readiness Training Center.
Technical Report 812. Alexandria, VA: U.S. Army Research
Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences. ADA
202926.
Siebold, G.L; and Kelly, D.R. (1988b) A measure of Cohesion which
predicts unit performance and ability to withstand stress.
Proceedinss: Sixth Users' Workshop on Combat Stress, San
Antonio, TX, 30 Nov-4 Dee 1987. Consultation Report 88-003.
Fort Sam Houston, TX: Health Care studies and Clinical
Investigation Activity, Health Services Command.
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