Abstract
This comparative study explores how military leadership is developed and executed in extreme situations across diverse national contexts, including Switzerland, South Africa, India, Israel, and Canada. Each country adapts its leadership training and doctrine based on historical experiences, operational demands, and institutional culture. While some militaries, like Canada, emphasize values-based leadership aligned with democratic principles, others, such as India, prioritize cultural ethos and leading by example. Conscription-based systems like Israel’s and Switzerland`s rely heavily on early, experiential leadership, while professional forces like South Africa focus on psychological resilience and adaptability. Training approaches range from academic and doctrinal frameworks to immersive, high-stress simulations. Common across all contexts is the recognition that effective leadership under pressure requires a balance of technical competence, moral integrity, and emotional resilience. The findings underscore the importance of context-specific leadership training models tailored to modern security challenges.
Recommended Citation
von Felten, Sarah
(2025)
"In Extremis: An international Perspective on Military Leadership Training in Extreme Situations,"
Journal of Peace, Conflict, and Security Studies: Vol. 1:
Iss.
1, Article 3.
Available at:
https://repository.rit.edu/jpcss/vol1/iss1/3
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