I have been investigating the factors that drive a group of individuals to become a cohesive group. I have been trying to apply a formula that was put forward by Leonard Wong in 1985, which is:

Stability plus Stress plus Success equals Cohesion (S + S + S = C)

Stability
for a unit to become cohesive it needs stability. Familiarity among peers is the most important requirement for horizontal cohesion. Soldiers should serve in their initial unit with the same peers for as long as possible, ideally for their entire first enlistment. Soldiers should be re-assigned during reconstruction periods only. The longer a person is a member of a group, the more he learns whom to trust(Mc Breen, 2002).

Stress
Stress increases the quality of training time and speeds the cohesion process. Training events should challenge a unit‚’s problem solving abilities and force units to overcome hardship together. Tough, progressively difficult mission training builds morale and unit pride, but more importantly, builds teams of survivors which multiplies their familiarity.

Success
Teams that win build cohesion. Frequent successful exertions to the utmost limits of their strength show soldiers their capabilities, and show the men that they can depend on each other. These ‚"‘cohesion events"’ are shared success.

I have been able to find a small group in which I can examine these notions. Although, not a military group it is still a group that needs to become cohesive to succeed.

This group is a small 8 member confirmation class, that come form disparate back ground and have had little or no incentive to come together. They need to become cohesive to be able to learn the precepts of the religion they will confirmed into.

I am going to see if the three S's will bring this group into a unit achieve their goals.

more on this as I see what happens.

regards

William

References:

Improving Unit Cohesion: The First Step in Improving Marine Corps Infantry Battalion Capabilities by Major Brendan B. McBreen USMC 23 May 2002.

“A Formula for Building Cohesion.” Carlisle Barracks, PA: U.S. Army War College, Wong, Frederick G. 1985.