Participation in Security Measures to Prevent the Theft of Ammunition and Explosives Stored in the Army Ammunition Depots

Abstract

     The major issue in the storage of ammunition and explosives is the problem of unauthorized removal or theft from ammunition depots. This research aims to study the levels of participation and compare the differences between personal factors and the levels of participation in security measures to prevent the theft of ammunition and explosives stored in the army ammunition depots. This study is a quantitative research. The sample group includes: 1) commissioned officers, 2) non-commissioned officers serving as ammunition depot staff, 3) non-commissioned officers serving as security personnel, and 4. employees/government contract workers. All participants were government officials assigned to Ammunition Depots 1-6 under the Ordnance Ammunition Depot Division, Ordnance Department, Royal Thai Army, totaling 330 individuals. The research instrument was a questionnaire. The data collected from the questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics to describe the characteristics of the data. The statistical methods used in the research included frequency distribution, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and inferential statistics. From the one-way analysis of variance. 
      The results showed that the overall level of participation among the sample group was high. Personal factors such as position, years of service, highest educational attainment, and average monthly income were found to significantly influence different levels of participation at the 0.05 significance level (Sig. < 0.05), which supports the research hypothesis. It is recommended that management should further promote a participatory approach between commanders and relevant personnel-which is already at a high level. This can be achieved by encouraging closer relationship between commanders and stuff at all level, instilling a mindset and values of participation among subordinates, adhering strictly to the chain of command, and clearly distributing responsibilities in a systematic manner. Leadership should adopt an open-minded and open-hearted approach, fostering interest and engagement in participation among personnel within the unit.