Beyond the Call of Duty: A Study of Factors that Influence Soldier Attitude and Behavior with Respect to the Concepts of Duty, Loyalty, and Commitment

In the Army, soldiers often go beyond that which is needed, required, or expected in the performance of their duty as characterized by the phrase "going above and beyond the call of duty." Why do soldiers exhibit this behavior and exemplify this attitude? The intent of this research study was to explore factors that influence soldier attitude and behavior with respect to the concepts of duty, loyalty, and commitment, which in turn affect duty performance. For this study, the research focused on five factors in particular: organizational culture, team dynamics, selfless service, leadership, and prior experiences (before serving in the military and while serving in the military). Based on a qualitative approach with a phenomenological perspective, 20 volunteer soldiers in a selected Army Reserve unit completed a questionnaire, sharing their thoughts and knowledge from their lived experiences. Ultimately, the research study provided a preliminary understanding of why a particular phenomenon was occurring, that of soldiers going beyond the call of duty.