Espelita, Mary Ann M. and Makalinta, Manilyn B. and Quiniquini, Flordeliz Q. and Tacata, Rosanna A. (2009) Passing on tradition : psycho-physical experiences related to military training of selected newly installed military officers. Undergraduate thesis, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas.

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Abstract

Abstract Name of Institution: De La Salle University – Dasmariñas Address: Dasmariñas Cavite Title: Passing on Tradition: Psycho-Physical Experiences related to Military Training of Selected Newly Installed Military Officers Authors: Ms. Espelita, Mary Ann M. Ms. Makalintal, Manilyn B. Ms. Quiniquini, Flordeliz Q. Ms. Tacata, Rosanna A. Funding Source: Parents Cost: 11, 000 PHP Date Started: July 2008 Date Ended: February 2009 Statement of the Problem 1. What are the demographic profile of each respondents in terms of: a) Age? b) Gender? c) Souce of Comission? 2. What are the psycho-physical stresses experienced by the officers during military training? 3. What are the psycho-physical stresses that the respondents’ passed on to their junior cadets/officers? 4. What are the factors that influenced them to pass or not to pass the psycho- physical stress to their junior cadets? Scope and Delimitation This study aimed to gather ten respondents specifically aged 22-28 years. However, three more respondents were added due to their insistent to be a part of the study. Since these additional respondents were Ranked Officers and present during the interview, the researchers included them to further testify the so-called “passing on tradition” in the military training. Ranked Officers’ age ranged between 48-49 years of age. Due to conflicting schedules of the Philippine Military Academy respondents, the researchers were not allowed to go to their academy in Baguio City. The researchers end up locating different respondents from different military academies such as Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) in Silang Cavite, Fernando Airbase (FAB) in Lipa Batangas and three respondents from Philippine Military Academy (PMA) who were interviewed in their residences during their Christmas vacation. Because the respondents from Fernando Airbase were already assigned in different areas, the researchers were referred to Sangley Point Cavite to locate the said respondents. Summary of Findings 1. There were several physical stresses experienced during training according to the results of stress tests and interview testimonials. However, the most frequent physical stress that the respondents experienced were sudden dryness of their mouth every after training activities; breathing difficulties such as excessively rapid breathing; and breathlessness in the absence of physical exertion; feeling exhausted or over fatigued; and others experienced fractured bones while undergoing the military training. Weight loss was also experienced by the respondent during their military training and also having frequent muscle pains and bruises on every part of their body after the training. Due to these physical experiences of the respondent, anxiety and fear was developed. The respondent experienced to have lack of selfconfidence; agitation; deprived feeling and underestimated feeling. Since insults, discouragements, criticisms, and humiliation were normal in military training, which is considered as tradition, it also affect the behavior of the respondent that leads to them to have psychological stress. 2. Based on the conducted checklist and interview testimonial, most of the respondents passed the traditional military training that applied stresses both physical and psychological. Most of the respondents passed the physical stress they acquired from training such as scars, bruises, bone fracture and fatigue. While eleven (85%) of the respondent said that they passed deprivation that leads to weight loss and, ten (77%) of them had passed abdominal pains. However, the psychological stress that had been passed on to the subordinates was based from the respondent’s interview responses and administered stress test results. Eight (62%) of the respondents passed anxiety and fear; eleven (85%) passed deprivation; seven (54%) passed agitation; and all of them (100%) passed underestimation. 3. There are several factors that affect the decisions of each respondent to whether pass or not to pass the military training. However, there were four common factors that led the respondents to pass the traditional military training such as belief that it was a tradition and culture in their academy (10 or 77%); for camaraderie and discipline (10 or 77%); to practice their leadership skills (7 or 53%); and for them to revenge or “pay-back time” (3 or 23%). These factors were passed according to what they had experienced and inflict even worst systematic training. On the contrary, three (23%) of the respondents chose not to pass the traditional military training. There were two factors that led them opt not to pass the tradition such as personal motives (1 or 8%) and to avoid brutality (2 or 15%). 4. Literatures and previous studies showed that there are significant factors that affect military men and women resulted to psycho-physical stress. Regardless of age, gender and source of commission, military men and women opt to pass the traditional military training due to their remarkable “torture training” and tend to pass worst training procedures that what they had experienced. Conclusions 1. Most of the military men are having difficulties in adjusting to the culture and environment in the military as they undergone training. 2. The results of self-made stress test proved that the stress in military academy occurs during training. 3. Military graduates experienced psycho-physical stress by having bruises, fractured bones, muscle pains, breathing difficulties and psychological discomfort. Due to this, military men developed low self-esteem, anger, fear and anxiety. 4. Based on the conducted personal interviews with the military officers, it is proved that military torture training still exists as part of military tradition that brutality symbolizes brotherhood. 5. Military plebes, when they become officers, they also passed the psychophysical stress to the underclassmen by inflicting a degree of torture in military training. The more pain they experienced, the worst systematic training they will pass. 6. Defense mechanisms are the most common factors that influenced a subject to pass the said tradition during military training. 7. Due to lack of investigations regarding the effects of military training, psycho-physical stress lingers among military men and women. Recommendations Military Academy 1. The military academy should provide orientation to the new recruits before accepting them. They should prepare the candidates for the service environment, rules, ethics and the problems they might encounter in military service. 2. Psychological services such as; (a) counseling and psychotherapy that help individuals understand and deal with stress associated with physical and emotional problems; (b) and psychological testing that helps identify information about the possible sources of stress; should be offered in the context of a group that will focus on the individual to prevent psychological difficulties that may affect physical health of the military trainees. This must be offered to further clarify the subject’s problem laden “stories” and to formulate proper interventions to such psychological problems. 3. A complete physical examination of trainees is important in administering appropriate treatment. However, it is important for the health professionals to be properly trained and sensitive in handling patients due to the experiences that may resemble bad memories in military training. Immediate medical treatment will relieve the patient’s pain, discomfort, and dysfunction resulting from physical stress. 4. Since torture is already a part of military tradition, assistance from the family should be extended to the military plebes who have psychological difficulties brought by military training to prevent long-term negative effects of remarkable experiences. This can come in the form of showing concern and empathy, giving advice, and support. Behavioral Sciences Department The research team recommends the department to conduct further analysis about the stress experienced by military men and women. In line with this, they should also provide a program applicable for the respondents to ease the stress they had dealt. Enclosed with this, are the different activities that will help them to cope with the identified stress in the long run such as: (a) Psycho-educational Programs, to orient the individuals about the sources of stress, symptoms of stress, impact of stress on health, performance and well-being. This program should involve lectures and include psychometric measures and relaxations; (b) Stress Inoculation Training (SIT), to expose the individuals to milder stressors as a way to enhance their ability to cope with more severe life situations. Stress Inoculation Training focuses multiple coping responses to resolve current problems as well as to ‘inoculate’ the person or group against future stress.This training involves theoretical explanation, active (variety of) skill acquisition, application in real life and follow-up; (c) Cognitive Behavioral Training (CBT) to emphasize the importance of changing our thinking, feeling and behavior as a way in reducing symptoms and improving functioning and well being; (d) Mindfulness Training to educate people how to manage every day stress. The training will encourage the individuals to do mindful breathing, mindful walking, mindful meditation of everyday activities as a coping skill; and (e) Relaxation Training to reduce physiological manifestation of stress by teaching the person to become aware of muscle tension and to release that tension. Future Researchers 1. Since passing on the traditional military training is infinite, the researchers recommends to establish a psycho-physical intervention since this study identifies the stress and the factors that influenced them to pass or not to pass the authorized tradition based from the narrated experiences of military officers. 2. The researchers also recommends the future researchers to conduct pretest and post-test to further assess the level of stress acquired in military training and to know how it affects the individual’s self-image. 3. The researchers recommends to the next batch of psychology students to prioritize different coping strategies instead of defense mechanisms that may cause negative effect to the individual from the stressful events and experiences of military officers during their plebehood years. 4. The researchers also recommends to the future researchers to utilize a case study type of reserch to have a profound observation and intensive study in every single subject. Through systematic way of collecting data, analyzing information, and reporting of results, the future researchers can come up with the different interventions to cope with the identified psycho-physical stress.

Item Type:	Thesis (Undergraduate)
Additional Information:	PSY 965 2009
Keywords:	Subjects: Soldiers -- Psychological aspects; Military officers.
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
Depositing User:	Users 4 not found.
Date Deposited:	10 Aug 2015 03:33
Last Modified:	10 Oct 2024 05:22
URI:	https://thesis.dlsud.edu.ph/id/eprint/1273

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