Logo: to the web site of the Swedish Defence University

During combat missions, Swedish commanders are required to maintain situation awareness in order to utilize dynamic decision-making effectively, as instructed in doctrine. Without a common understanding of what situation awareness phenomenon is, the Swedish Army risks perpetually making poor decisions based on underdeveloped situation awareness. 

Centered on Endsley’s (2016) theory of situation awareness, this study operationalized the theory into an interview guide and conducted interviews with twelve senior Swedish military commanders at the land tactical level to understand how leading Swedish military commanders reason, evaluate, and manage the phenomenon of situation awareness in decision-making.

This study indicates that while the profession unconsciously uses Endsley’s theory of situational awareness, the profession lacks a clear definition of the phenomenon. Additionally, the profession concludes that the theory should further develop potential pitfalls of interpersonal relationships and their impact on SA.