Motivation study of military personnel of different branches of armed forces and military ranks undergoing contract and military service

Background. Currently, there is a pressing need to staff the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation with personnel who are disciplined, patriotic, and sufficiently motivated to fulfill their duties. The growing personnel shortage highlights the challenges of recruiting and retaining qualified personnel.

Purpose – motivation study of military personnel from different branches of the armed forces and ranks undergoing contract and conscript service, using the examples of the Navy and Aerospace Forces.

Materials and methods. The following methodologies were used to study the motivational component: the "Motivational Profile of Personality" by S. Ritchie and P. Martin and the "Motivation of Professional Activity" method by K. Zamfir, modified by A. Rean.

Results. The study results revealed both similarities and differences in the motivation of contract service personnel in the Navy and Aerospace Forces. For Navy personnel, the most significant motivational factors were reward, work structuring, and self-improvement, while Aerospace Forces personnel prioritized reward and working conditions. Lieutenant officers demonstrated a higher level of intrinsic motivation related to job satisfaction and self-realization, whereas sailors were more oriented toward external incentives such as monetary rewards. A comparison between contract and conscript service showed that contract servicemen were more motivated by career advancement opportunities, self-realization, and job satisfaction, while conscripts focused more on avoiding punishment and criticism. The findings underscore the need for a differentiated approach to motivating military personnel, taking into account their branch of service, rank, and type of service.