Opbygning af korpsånd i en dansk bataljon – et casestudie

Abstract

In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in esprit de corps in the Danish Army. Many units have actively worked with enhancing their esprit de corps. Only to a very limited extent, can there be found guidance and support of this work in the military research literature or in the Armed Forces’ guidelines, regulations or doctrine. This article seeks to investigate ways to work with the promotion of esprit de corps through a single case study at a Danish battalion. Data were collected respectively at a management seminar and three months later by interviewing managers in the unit. The study shows how the management group in practice has worked to promote the spirit of the corps in the battalion. They have done so, this study argues, by focusing on three central efforts: 1. Creating a common narrative that embraces the history, values and transformation of the soldiers, 2. Tying the management group together and create leadership power and inspiration 3. Accepting unit differences. This study can be used as inspiration for those who want to work with the promotion of esprit de corps.