The military academic motivation scale (MAMS): a new scale to assess motivation among military cadets from a self-determination theory perspective

The purpose of the present paper is to introduce the Military Academic Motivation Scale (MAMS), a short and reliable instrument for assessing the different types of motivation among military cadets. Three representative samples of military cadets completed the MAMS. In Study 1 (N = 452), the hypothesized five-factor structure of the MAMS was empirically tested and supported. In Study 2 (N = 1,372), the factorial invariance across both gender and cohorts of the MAMS was explored and confirmed. Study 3 (N = 520) provided evidence of the external validity of the five MAMS factors with respect to important organizational outcomes (work engagement, organizational commitment, job performance, extra-role behaviors, burnout, and intention to quit). The potential applications of the MAMS were extensively discussed, and recommendations for use in the military academy setting were given.