Bolman and Deal claim that leaders should approach an organizational issue from four perspectives which they call "frames." They believe their leadership frameworks can help leaders analyze different approaches to an issue. The four-frame works include; Structural, human resource, political and symbolic. The structural frame focuses on structural elements within the organization. The symbolic frame focuses on symbolic approach by focusing on vision and inspiration. The human resource frame focuses on the human needs, and finally, the political approach focuses on the political approach to facilitate change focus on the political realities that exist within and outside organizations. The US Navy is an example of a culture which is defined by the four frames of Bolman and Deal.
The US military workplace is a unique environment that enables military individuals and families to have experiences which are different from other civilians. The military individuals are faced with physiological challenges created by the intense environment, but surprisingly, they demonstrate resilience. The culture is defined by its organizational structure, frameworks, and rules. The military strategies define the structural frame in clarifying tasks, responsibilities and creating system and procedures. Services provided in the military will vary among the members because they are assigned according to their career based upon their skills and interests. The military has a variety of occupations assigned to members that include doctors, bus drivers, police officers, and cooks, among others. The military principle occupation is warfighting, but the members differ on the level to which they are involved in direct combat.
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The military also has reporting lines which involve the Department of Defense, Military Departments and Department of Veterans Affairs. The Department of Defense (DOD) is the organizing body in charge of the Military Departments and is led by the secretary of defense, who acts as the president’s main advisor on defense policy. The Military Department is a part of The Department of Defense. It consists of five armed forces: Air Force, Army Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard. The Department of Veterans Affairs is separate from the DOD and focuses primarily on veterans. It consists of three divisions which include: The Veterans Benefits Administration, the Veterans Health Administration and, the National Cemetery Administration. The military also tries to set goals by training and instilling warrior’s ethos to members enabling them to emphasize on placing the mission above everything; and never quitting nor accepting defeat.
The human resource frame is defined by the military`s ability to focus on the member's needs. The military service and benefits are affected by whether their service is active or reserve. The active duty service members perform their military duties full-time and, therefore, receive many benefits such as healthcare, childcare, and housing from the military. They are also given an option of living on the military installation. The reserve duty members have fewer benefits as compared to the active duty member’s benefits. The veterans, reservists, National Guard members and those related to veterans are also provided with VA benefits such as education, compensation, guaranty for a home loan and healthcare services. The political frame is also defined by the military law, regulations, and chains of command.
The military individuals and family are bound by the military laws, regulations, traditions, norms, and values which are different from civilians. They have specific laws outlined by The Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) whose main purpose is to maintain the requisite level of good order and discipline through the chains of command which categorize the military service. The senior military personnel issue the law orders that the juniors military personnel must execute. Finally, the symbolic frame is also shown through the military ability to motivate its members. The military non-stop training and self-improvement, engagements civically and to the community, health and personal responsibility are concepts insisted in the military. This enables the members to be motivated to handle the military activities. The military members can also be issued vacation periods depending on the mission needs.
The military culture has some unique features that differ from the rest of the civilians. It is not just an occupation but instills unique skills and values to its members. The military workplace achieves its goals through a structure, discipline, non-stop training, and socialization. It enables members to obtain the key values which include obedience, discipline, self-sacrifice, trust, and courage. They are also able to provide the required services and benefits to its members. They have hierarchical structures which create good order and discipline. Besides the military workplace having unique features, it has several weaknesses as well. Reintegration after being exposed to combat is always challenging for some military personnel. This is because some individuals are affected psychologically and mentally during combat.
Some may experience circadian dysrhythmia as well as mild environmental disorientation often due to change of location. The military also has no checklist to identify personnel who may have mental issue and difficulties in reintegration. The affected personnel will likely return with the same illness and may become worse. In more than 70% of the couple have been said to have PTSD which causes emotional withdrawal, less positive engagement, and less intimacy. Military spouse faces employment barriers because their spouse military service negatively affects their work opportunities. Many companies still appear to be lacking in military, cultural competency, which may negatively impact veterans seeking employment thus being a challenge.
In conclusion, in future, the society should try to understand the military culture so that they can understand the strengths and challenges faced by the service members, veterans, and their family members. The military should also put more efforts in maintaining the physiological and mental health faced by its members by adequate providing mental health services.
