AN INTEGRATIVE MODEL FOR MEASURING COMBAT READINESS.

Measuring combat readiness in an armed force involves the measures of tangible and intangible elements of combat power. However, the mathematical models and formulae used for the measure are focused mainly on either the tangible or the intangible elements. The purpose of this research is to provide an integrative model that provides a comprehensive measure of the combat readiness depicting its status of capability and operability by incorporating the tangible and intangible elements of combat power. The research adopted a quantitative approach using post-positivism paradigm philosophy and quantitative method design. The survey method research design looked into the variables causal effect of capability, morale and quality of life on combat readiness through a non-experimental correlation design survey questionnaire. Probability proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used for data collection. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was used for the statistical treatment as it catered for the multiple regression analyses of factors to predict the combat readiness of an armed force. The result of the research provides a model that an armed force could use to predict the function of combat readiness or any of its variables by using the formula Y = β1X1 + β2X2 + β3X3 whereby the tangible and intangible elements of combat power contribute towards the measure of combat readiness with regression weights of the independent variables capability (β1), morale (β2) and quality of life (β3). The minimum for the model is achieved in reaching a convergent solution by yielding a Chi-square goodness-of-fit indices of good-fit values. The results enable an armed force to use the combat readiness measurement model in prioritizing the allocation of resources for its tangible and intangible elements of combat power during its policy-setting and decision making process. As such, the integrative model can be used to address shortfalls and augment its combat readiness.