PSYCHOLOGICAL PREREQUISITES FOR CORRUPT ACTS OF MILITARY PERSONNEL

Abstract

The article presents the results of a study of psychological and situational factors that encourage military personnel to commit corrupt acts. The empirical research methods used were interviews, surveys, and expert assessments. A number of powerful psychological factors leading to corruption have been identified. In particular, fear of death, injury, or combat may prompt soldiers to give bribes for the sake of self-preservation in order to avoid being in a zone of active combat. Social normalization of corrupt relations: personnel initially feel discomfort from corruption, but over time adapt to it, normalizing deviant corrupt behaviour in order to reduce psychological discomfort from existing in a corrupt system. The third factor is distrust of commanders and their official incompetence: high-profile cases of incompetence or corruption of leadership reduce morale. Financial stress and despair: unclear financial compensation systems, the command’s attempt to avoid paying soldiers whenever possible, when the temptation of bribes becomes the main motivator, often associated with the sale of certain military assets. Distortion of legal and cultural norms: the widespread belief that “everyone does it” makes corruption a standard operating procedure, not a criminal act. Ignoring the revealed offenses by the command nullifies any attempts to combat corruption. Stress related to inequality and the distribution of power: personnel face unique pressures, including chronic stress, anxiety due to procedural errors, and moral tension between strict rules and the need to maneuver in a corrupt environment. Ranking of the identified factors showed that the main motivators for committing corrupt acts are fear for personal life and health and the desire to avoid getting into the zone of active hostilities, as well as the normalization of corruption as a common, widely used practice for solving certain issues. It can be argued that corruption in the military environment is often not only a manifestation of greed, but rather a consequence of adaptation to a complex, risky and inefficiently managed system.