(Stellenbosch University, Military Science, 1997) Heinecken, Lindy
In this paper it is illustrated that there is a decline in the commitment to altruistic
values if one analyses the survey data of junior officers among all four arms of service at
the South African Military Academy. The results show a clear drift towards occupationalism
as outlined by Moskos (1977) if the reasons for joining, preferred job characteristics,
commitment to selfless service and the need for a representative association are analysed.
This trend towards occupationalism could be ascribed to the decline in status and
relevance of the armed forces in society, coupled to organisational change, which in
placing the military profession under considerable stress in this current period of transition.
Some implications of these trends for the military profession are discussed.