Patriotic Education of Military Personnel: Sociological Foundations of Research

The article considers socio-humanitarian approaches to understanding patriotism and its education among military personnel. The essential characteristics of patriotism have been clarified, which make it possible to identify different sides of patriotism and determine the main directions of patriotic education. The main motives of the patriotic personality, such as love for the Motherland, loyalty, devotion and pride for the Fatherland, the desire to preserve not only the integrity of the territory and its wealth, but also the culture and values inherent in its people, are highlighted. The main directions of military personnel education, which contribute to the formation of a high patriotic consciousness, a sense of loyalty to their Fatherland, readiness to fulfill military duty and constitutional duties to protect the interests of their country, have been determined.

Epidemiology and Long-Term Outcomes of Wrist Sprains in Military Academy Cadets

Background: The American Society for Surgery of the Hand advises patients that symptoms after wrist sprains resolve in 6 weeks and that recovery is usually excellent; however, there is scant supporting evidence for this reassurance. Purpose: To describe the epidemiology and report long-term outcomes of wrist sprains. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: The US Department of Defense Military Health System Management Analysis and Reporting Tool was queried for wrist sprain International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes between 2005 and 2008 among US Military Academy cadets. The electronic medical records were reviewed to obtain demographic information, mechanism of injury, and patient characteristics. A telephone survey was conducted to collect Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) score, the shortened version of Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) score, and ability to return to full military duty. Results: Of the 90 patients identified, 49 patients (50 wrists) met the final inclusion criteria. The mean patient age was 21 years, the majority were male (86%), and most sprains occurred during athletics (65%) and military activities (20%). Most patients (61%) had radiographs taken after index wrist sprain, and few (14%) underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). After a mean follow-up of 10.4 years, most patients (78%) had no further wrist injury. The average SANE and QuickDASH scores were 88 and 7.5, respectively. Two patients (4%) ultimately were treated with surgical repair. Most patients (96%) were on an upper extremity profile, limiting military duty for a median of 14 days. All patients ultimately returned to full military duty. Conclusion: Patients with a wrist sprain diagnosis were followed for an average of 10 years. Although the majority (96%) of patients required a median of 14 days with limited upper extremity function, MRI is rarely indicated in the acute setting and most patients will never have another wrist injury and can expect excellent wrist recovery outcomes.

Wallace, John A.

John A. Wallace (1913–2000) was a pioneer in the field of corrections. He provided expert services both nationally and internationally. He also served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. military in World War II and in the Reserve Officer Corps following active military duty.

General of the Army of the Ukrainian People’s Republic Oleksandr Pylkevych (“camp” period of life and activity in Poland, 1921-1922)

The article analyses the last period of life and activity of the head of the Separate Corps of Border Guards General O. Pylkevych during the internment of the Army of the Ukrainian People’s Republic in camps in Poland (1921–1922). Being in various command positions, O. Pylkevych always remained true to himself and his own principles – in relation to subordinates he was consistently demanding and unyielding, while adhering to the requirements of military statutes. O. Pylkevych believed that one of the basic requirements during military service is the discipline of officers and Cossacks, their observance of subordination, their conscientious execution of all orders of direct commanders and senior military commanders. It is necessary to emphasize the sincere patriotism of O. Pylkevych and his complete devotion to the ideas of the UPR – he made every effort to unite the nationally conscious core of the Ukrainian army, supporting the idea of creating a community of officers as an additional tool to influence the demoralized part of the camp. The general also took care of the development of public centres designed to intensify cultural and educational work in the ranks of the interned troops of the Ukrainian People’s Republic. But the general did not always have enough tact and diplomacy in communicating with certain representatives of the Polish military authorities in the camps, and his excessive categoricalness sometimes caused disapproval among some of the top officials of the UPR Army. As a result of O. Pylkevych’s inability to build business relations with the Polish camp authorities, he was twice removed from the post of head of the internee groups in Lancut. At the same time, it is necessary to emphasize the expressive patriotism of O. Pylkevych – he made every effort to unite the nationally conscious core of the Ukrainian army in the camps, supporting the idea of creating a community of officers as an additional tool to influence the demoralized part of the camp. The general also took care of the development of public centres designed to intensify cultural and educational work in the ranks of the interned troops of the Ukrainian People’s Republic. Throughout his stay in the camps, O. Pylkevych was an example of conscientious performance of military duty, subordinating his life to the interests of the interned Ukrainian army.

Changes in Volumetric Bone Mineral Density Over 12 Months After a Tibial Bone Stress Injury Diagnosis: Implications for Return to Sports and Military Duty

Background: Bone stress injuries (BSIs) occur in up to 20% of runners and military personnel. Typically, after a period of unloading and gradual return to weightbearing activities, athletes return to unrestricted sports participation or military duty approximately 4 to 14 weeks after a BSI diagnosis, depending on the injury location and severity. However, the time course of the recovery of the bone’s mechanical competence is not well-characterized, and reinjury rates are high. Purpose: To assess the bone microarchitecture and volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) over 12 months after a tibial BSI diagnosis. Study Design: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: We enrolled 30 female athletes from the local community (aged 18-35 years) with a tibial BSI (grade ≥2 of 4 on magnetic resonance imaging) for this prospective observational study. Participants completed a baseline visit within 3 weeks of the diagnosis. At baseline and 6, 12, 24, and 52 weeks after the BSI diagnosis, we collected high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography scans of the ultradistal tibia (4% of tibial length) of the injured and uninjured legs as well as pain and physical activity assessment findings. Results: From baseline to 12 weeks after the diagnosis, total, trabecular, and cortical vBMD declined by 0.58% to 0.94% ( P < .05 for all) in the injured leg. Total and trabecular vBMD also declined by 0.61% and 0.67%, respectively, in the uninjured leg ( P < .05 for both). At 24 weeks, mean values for all bone parameters were nearly equivalent to baseline values, and by 52 weeks, several mean values had surpassed baseline values. Of the 30 participants, 10 incurred a subsequent BSI during the course of the study, and 1 of these 10 incurred 2 subsequent BSIs. Participants who suffered an additional BSI were younger and had a later age of menarche, a greater incidence of previous fractures, and lower serum parathyroid hormone levels ( P < .05 for all). Conclusion: Bone density declined in both the injured and the uninjured legs and, on average, did not return to baseline for 3 to 6 months after a tibial BSI diagnosis. The observed time to the recovery of baseline vBMD, coupled with the high rate of recurrent BSIs, suggests that improved return-to-sports and military duty guidelines may be in order.

Η κοινωνική αναπαράσταση του στίγματος για την αναζήτηση ψυχολογικής υποστήριξης στο στρατό

The aim of the present study is to investigate content and structure of social representation concerning the institution of psychological support in the military. Research is focused on stigma’s representation and on searching possible differences depending on military personnel’s status and education. The main obstacle on seeking psychological support in the military seems to be stigma, self or public. Even though adjustment to military environment and handling warfare provoke several difficulties on thought, emotions or behavior, avoiding psychological support seems to be common place among military personnel globally. Educating military personnel (Ν=143) participated to a research about social representation’s structure analysis with Vergès’ (1994) free association method. Content analysis was used for data coding and representation’s structure analysis about trainees’, soldires’ and officers’ procedure of seeking psychological support. Results indicated several interesting findings about stigma’s content and structure depending on military duty, education and role. Implications of future research are made.