This monograph discusses the importance of cohesion to build an effective tactical unit. Historically, armies that have done well in combat have been cohesive units. This monograph investigates the components that produce effective cohesive units among those that served in combat over a protracted period (six months or more). The monograph examines two U.S. tactical units. The first unit studied will be the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry from the 1st Cavalry Division in 1965. The second unit studied will be Task Force Barker from the 23rd Americal Division in 1968. The primary focus of this study is to examine the following question: To what extent was cohesion a factor in the success of 1/7th Cavalry and in the failure of Task Force Barker? This monograph will compare the two units using criteria derived from Anthony Kellet's Combat Motivation. Finally, the significance of this study emerges from the likelihood that in the future, the U.S. Army will conduct a variety of protracted operations under the heading of operations other than war (OOTW). The success of these operations will depend on the Army's ability to field cohesive tactical units.

ADA 293911 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)