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Socialization at military academies aims at inculcating future officers with loyalty and commitment to the profession of arms and a willingness to serve their country on and off the battlefield. In an era when the military profession is undergoing tremendous change as a result of expanding mission requirements, some observers have begun to question whether education and training at military academies prepares future military leaders effectively for the increasingly complex security environment of the twenty first century.1 Earlier research has demonstrated that the extent to which officers support or oppose the ever-widening array of military missions, ranging from humanitarian assistance and peacekeeping to deadly combat, is likely to affect their performance and may expedite or jeopardize mission accomplishment.2 If attitudes shape behavior and thus performance and effectiveness, it is important to examine the extent to which the sociopolitical and military environment in which cadets are encapsulated impacts their attitudes and values. In a previous study, Franke found that military socialization at the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point shapes cadets' identity, values, and attitudes.3 But to what extent? Is West Point unique or does military socialization in other educational and cultural settings have similar effects on career and mission commitments? To what extent do other social, political, or cultural factors shape the attitudes and values of future military leaders?
This article seeks to answer these questions by comparing the effects of military socialization on the attitudes and value orientations of USMA cadets to those of student officers at the South African Military Academy (SAMA). Despite obvious sociopolitical, cultural, and military differences, both countries face similar military challenges: to maintain or enhance global (for the U.S.) or regional (for South Africa) peace and security. At the brink of the twenty first century this means either country will likely continue to engage in an increasing array of nontraditional operations other than war (OOTW). But are the men and women who will lead their respective forces in those missions equally well prepared to take on these new challenges?
To answer this question, we first highlight some of the similarities and differences in the approach to military socialization and education at the two military academies. Next we compare the responses of USMA and SAMA student officers to...