ARMS: A Framework of Thai Military Leadership Traits in Accordance with Buddhist Principles
Keywords:
Military Leadership, ARMS Model, Bhavana 4, Leadership DevelopmentAbstract
This academic article aims to propose and develop the ARMS model, a newly conceptualized framework designed to cultivate Thai military leadership traits grounded in Buddhist principles. Anchored in Section 67 of the 2017 Constitution of the Kingdom of Thailand which mandates state support and promotion of Buddhism. The article argues that the Royal Thai Armed Forces, as a state apparatus, should adopt the Bhavana 4 (Fourfold Human Development) as a foundational approach. This model aligns with and contextualizes the 15 military leadership traits originally influenced by the United States Marine Corps, adapting them to suit Thai sociocultural conditions. The integration process results in the ARMS model, comprising four components: A (Action – Kaya Bhavana), R (Resilience – Jitta Bhavana), M (Morality – Sila Bhavana), and S (Strategy – Panya Bhavana).
The outcome of this article is the presentation of a leadership development model with a distinctively Thai identity, offering a strategic and ethical framework that can inform future policy directions. It seeks to foster military leaders who embody moral integrity, professional competence, and a deep sense of responsibility to the Nation, Religion, and Monarchy.
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