Svajone Bekesiene

Type of the article: Research Article

Abstract
Nowadays, the challenge of increasing personnel retention by aligning organizational values with the expectations of active-duty soldiers remains relevant in the Lithuanian Armed Forces. Using the parallel mediation modeling method, this study focuses on the value of interest as a symbolic component of employer attractiveness, reflecting the perception of meaningful, intellectually engaging, and purposeful work. The research hypotheses are tested using a sample of 276 Lithuanian active-duty soldiers. The mediation effects are checked using PROCESS v3.5 and bootstrap 5000. The results show that the value of interest significantly predicts the perception of four main employer attributes: social, economic, developmental, and application values. The validated theoretical framework showed that symbolic perceptions shape several aspects of employer attractiveness. Furthermore, the study shows that developmental value and economic value significantly mediated the relationship between interest value and intention to continue serving, demonstrating that symbolic engagement alone is not sufficient, as soldiers are more likely to remain in service when clear career growth opportunities and adequate financial rewards reinforce such engagement. Conversely, social and applied values did not show a significant mediating effect, suggesting that they are less important in shaping long-term decisions about personnel retention in the military. Overall, the findings offer practical implications for employer branding and human resources strategies, highlighting the need to integrate both symbolic meaning and instrumental benefits to meet the evolving expectations of military personnel.

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

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.