By Dr Hannah-Marie Chidwick, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Classics and Ancient History, School of Humanities, Dr Daniel Leightley, King’s College Military Health Research Centre, King’s College London and Grace Williamson, King’s College Military Health Research Centre, King’s College London
Dr Hannah-Marie Chidwick and her collaborators tell us about a new project which explores the complexities of ‘combat readiness’, both physical and psychological, by drawing comparisons between ancient and modern warfare. The project recently received an AHRC Impact Acceleration Account award and brings together expertise at the University of Bristol and King’s College London.
Against an increasingly volatile geopolitical backdrop of ongoing conflicts, what it means to be ‘combat ready’ feels ever more pertinent. The concept has evolved throughout history, reflecting changes in military technology, tactics, societal attitudes, and the nature of warfare. Despite many differences, combat readiness in the ancient Greco-Roman world can inform how (and how far) we can prepare for war today.
Policies concerning military and veteran health, including training and wellbeing management, do not always succeed in maintaining stability after service. Significantly higher rates of alcoholism, emotional problems, family problems, and other serious issues are found amongst ex-service personnel versus civilian. Military and veteran health therefore needs new perspectives and strategies to enhance understanding and inform policy-making, to allow for interventions before and during service rather than only dealing with the aftermath.
The project ‘Preparing the Body and Mind for War in the Ancient and Modern Armed Forces’ launched in October 2022, from an interest in military health shared between Dr Hannah-Marie Chidwick, who brings expertise in ancient Roman war narratives, and Dr Daniel Leightley at KCL’s Military Health Research Centre, who contributes experience as a British Army Reservist, plus expertise in mental health and technology. After a pilot online event (funded by Bristol’s Elizabeth Blackwell Institute), the project gained support from the AHRC IAA seed fund for further knowledge exchange workshops. Discussions engage academics, service personnel and healthcare professionals, to explore the lasting benefits of military service and the negative repercussions for veterans and families.
For instance, early findings point to camaraderie as a key factor in long-term health amongst military personnel. A strong sense of mutual trust, friendship, and interpersonal bonding between members of military units has remained vital to feelings of readiness since antiquity, and aids in coping with trauma. Conversely, hazardous alcohol use as a tool to facilitate such cohesion remains a significant but highly detrimental part of Western military cultures. There is evidence of excessive consumption of ‘liquid courage’ being normalised, sometimes encouraged, in both antiquity and modernity, leading to a legacy of alcohol-related harm amongst veterans. Other pertinent factors include physical fitness – still an essential component of modern military strategy despite technological advances – as well as trust in commanders, clothing and visible allyness, and support from military families.
‘A strong sense of mutual trust, friendship, and interpersonal bonding between combatants has remained vital to feelings of readiness since antiquity’
Workshop participants have already described how these early discussions will impact their understandings of combat readiness and military health, both historically and today. In a world where war and genocide continue to dominate our headlines, this project will now seek to build partnerships with research beneficiaries and decision-makers, to explore how individuals can be better prepared for the realities of war.
Dr Hannah-Marie Chidwick is Senior Lecturer in the Department of Classics and Ancient History with research interests in war and violence in ancient and modern narratives. To find out more about the Preparing for War project, contact hc6198@bristol.ac.uk or visit the project website.