Enhancing Military Communication Skills through Needs-Based EMP: A Current and Target Situation Analysis

Authors

  • Martha Patricia Purba Universitas HKBP Nommensen Pematangsiantar
  • Selviana Napitupulu Universitas HKBP Nommensen Pematangsiantar

Keywords:

English for Military Purposes (EMP), Communication, Military Personnel

Abstract

English has become an essential communication tool in modern military contexts, particularly in multinational operations and international cooperation. However, many military personnel still experience difficulties in using English effectively for professional communication. This study aims to examine the role of English for Military Purposes (EMP) in enhancing military personnel’s communication skills. The research employed a descriptive qualitative design using a library research method and needs analysis guided by ESP theory. The findings reveal that while reading skills are dominant for interpreting technical manuals, there is a significant gap in speaking and listening proficiency required for operational tasks. The study concludes that a needs-based and task-oriented EMP program, incorporating authentic materials and simulations, can significantly improve communication effectiveness and confidence in military professional settings.

References

Darwin, Achmad, and Farras Alifa Semendawai. 2024. “Peran Bahasa Inggris Dalam Memperkuat Komunikasi Militer Internasional.” Al-Zayn: Jurnal Ilmu Sosial & Hukum 2(2):23–33. doi: 10.61104/alz.v2i2.303.

Johnson, W. Lewis, Carole Beal, Anna Fowles-Winkler, Ursula Lauper, Stacy Marsella, Shrikanth Narayanan, Dimitra Papachristou, and Hannes Vilhjálmsson. 2004. “Tactical Language Training System: An Interim Report.” Pp. 336–45 in Intelligent Tutoring Systems. Heidelberg: Springer Berlin.

Kartika S. Hardjanti. 2025. “Peran Perancang Kurikulum Dalam Pengembangan Pembelajaran Bahasa Asing Untuk Pertahanan Negara Di Kelas Hibrida.” Jurnal Pendidikan Dan Pengembangan Sumber Daya Pertahanan 2(1):46–55. doi: 10.63210/jp3.v2i1.121.

Khadirah Ab. Rahman, Nur, Melor Md Yunus, Nurfaradilla Mohamad Nasri, and Emily Abd Rahman. 2023. “Elevating Employability: Analysing English Curriculum for Military Aviation Officers.” Arab World English Journal 14(4):80–93. doi: 10.24093/awej/vol14no4.5.

Macaro, Ernesto, and Heath Rose. 2023. “Introduction to the Special Issue on English Medium Instruction: Areas of Research Needing Urgent Attention.” Studies in Second Language Learning and Teaching 13(2):257–69. doi: 10.14746/ssllt.38274.

Negoescu, Alina Gabriela, and Gabriela Mihăilă Lică. 2025. “Teaching English as an International Language to Future Army Leaders.” Land Forces Academy Review 30(1):77–82. doi: 10.2478/raft-2025-0008.

Nurlaily, Gary Bonar, and Anne Keary. 2026. “ESP in Context: A Systematic Review of Practices, Challenges and Innovations in a Middle-Income Country.” ESP Today 14(1):115–33. doi: 10.18485/esptoday.2026.14.1.6.

Octavian, Amarulla. 2014. “Globalisasi Dan Transformasi Institusi Pendidikan Militer Di Sekolah Staf Dan Komando TNI AL (SESKOAL).” Masyarakat Jurnal Sosiologi 19(2). doi: 10.7454/MJS.v19i2.1244.

Orna-Montesinos, Concepción. 2018. “Language Practices and Policies in Conflict: An ELF Perspective on International Military Communication.” Journal of English as a Lingua Franca 7(1):89–111. doi: 10.1515/jelf-2018-0004.

Rahmah, Nurul Azizah. 2018. “Ragam Bahasa Militer Di Lembaga Pendidikan TNI AD Dan Implikasinya Terhadap Pendidikan Bahasa Indonesia.” UIN Jakarta.

Rahman, Nur Khadirah Ab., Melor Md Yunus, Nurfaradilla Mohamad Nasri, and Emily Abd Rahman. 2023. “Proficiency Preparedness in Defence Workforce: A Survey of Cadet Officers’ English Language Needs.” International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research 22(11):96–115. doi: 10.26803/ijlter.22.11.6.

Siegel, Aki, Michaela Vance, and Diana Nilsson. 2025. “Military English Language Education: A Scoping Review of 30 Years of Research.” Innovation in Language Learning and Teaching 19(5):433–51. doi: 10.1080/17501229.2024.2370986.

Singh, Surjeet, and Belinda Marie Balraj. 2019. “The English Language Needs of the Armed Forces Officers Using Task Based Language Teaching.” International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences 9(1):1299–1308. doi: 10.6007/IJARBSS/v9-i1/5861.

Wolf, Hans-Georg. 2017. “De-Escalation—A Cultural-Linguistic View on Military English and Military Conflicts.” Pp. 683–702 in Advances in Cultural Linguistics. Cultural Linguistic. Singapore: Springer.

Downloads

Published

2026-02-12

How to Cite

Purba, M. P., & Selviana Napitupulu. (2026). Enhancing Military Communication Skills through Needs-Based EMP: A Current and Target Situation Analysis. Young Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2(1), 242–251. Retrieved from https://journal.sufiya.org/index.php/yjssh/article/view/273

Similar Articles

<< < 1 2 3 4 

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.