THE ROLE OF PATRIOTISM IN SHAPING IDEOLOGICAL IMMUNITY AMONG MILITARY PERSONNEL

Abstract

In the context of intensifying information warfare, hybrid threats, and ideological infiltration, the cultivation of ideological immunity among military personnel has become a strategic imperative for national security. This article investigates the critical role of patriotism as a stabilizing and mobilizing factor in the development of such immunity. By examining patriotism not merely as an emotional attachment to the homeland, but as a system of deeply internalized moral, civic, and historical values, the study highlights its function in fortifying psychological resilience and preventing susceptibility to hostile ideological influences. Drawing on sociological, psychological, and military-pedagogical frameworks, the research analyzes the mechanisms through which patriotic education enhances critical thinking, moral clarity, and collective identity among soldiers. Furthermore, the article emphasizes that a value-based patriotic paradigm—rooted in national history, cultural memory, and civic responsibility—serves as a cognitive and emotional shield against propaganda, disinformation, and extremist narratives. The findings suggest that institutionalized patriotism, when implemented with philosophical depth and cultural authenticity, significantly contributes to the formation of loyal, ideologically vigilant, and morally grounded service members who are capable of upholding national integrity both in times of peace and conflict.