Aidas Vasilis Vasiliauskas

Type of the article: Research Article

Modern defense environments demand sustainable, knowledge-driven training systems that adapt to technological, organizational, and strategic challenges. This study explores the sustainability of military distance learning in Lithuanian military education and its role in enhancing adaptability and resilience. It assesses how digital, knowledge-based systems support long-term effectiveness and flexibility. Sustainability refers to maintaining scalable, resilient education under changing conditions. Adaptability is the ability to adjust learning processes and technologies, while resilience ensures institutional stability and performance during disruptions. The study employs fuzzy logic integrated with the Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (DEMATEL) method to analyze interdependencies among eight critical factors of sustainable distance learning. A structured expert survey was conducted in 2024 with 17 Lithuanian military education specialists, all holding Ph.D. degrees and possessing extensive academic and practical experience in e-learning, instructional design, and technology management. The analysis revealed that technological infrastructure, instructional design, and scalability function as primary causal drivers shaping learner engagement and institutional support. Quantitative results show that technological infrastructure exerted the highest influence weight (0.187), followed by instructional design (0.162), while psychological support acted primarily as an effect factor. These findings confirm that sustainable distance learning enhances adaptability by ensuring uninterrupted access to training, flexible pacing, and integration of emerging digital tools. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that sustainable military distance learning serves as a strategic enabler of knowledge transfer, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness, thereby strengthening both the adaptability and institutional resilience of military education systems.

Acknowledgment
We acknowledge the General Jonas Žemaitis Military Academy of Lithuania for financial support in publishing this article.