An Investigation into the Role of Religiosity in the Identity Formation Process of Professional Soldiers in the Romanian Army

Abstract

This sociological study investigates the influence of religiosity on the socialization process and group cohesion within the Romanian Armed Forces. In an environment defined by rigid hierarchy and existential risk, religion often functions as a critical 'social fact', offering psychological stability and a shared group identity. Anchored in the theoretical frameworks of Structural Functionalism and Symbolic Interactionism, the research examines how religious symbols, rituals, and pastoral care are integrated into the professional habitus of military personnel. The methodology employs a qualitative case study focused on the 15th Mechanized Brigade 'Podul Înalt' in Iași, Romania. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews with 14 active-duty combatants from Battalion 198. The analysis centers on how soldiers utilize faith to navigate the cognitive dissonance between Christian pacifist values and the lethal requirements of their profession, as well as the specific social role of the battalion's on-site church. Results demonstrate that religiosity serves as a potent agent of secondary socialization. Participants viewed collective prayer and liturgical participation not merely as spiritual acts, but as primary drivers of camaraderie and psychological resilience. The military church acts as a central hub for social interaction, transforming individual belief into collective solidarity. The study concludes that religiosity is not an anachronism within the modern state apparatus but a functional necessity for the moral and operational efficacy of the unit, reinforcing the concept of the 'military family' through spiritual legitimacy.