"The Hero's Journey” of Air Cadets: An Application of Hero's Journey Folklore Methodology

Abstract

Research titled "'The Hero's Journey' of Air Cadets: An Application of Hero's Journey Folklore Methodology" examines the transformation process of new air cadets at the Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Air Force Academy through Campbell's Hero's Journey framework (1949), as developed by Vogler (2007).
The study analyzes data from Air Cadets classes 59-62 through in-depth interviews and observations. The results demonstrate that the new air cadets' journey aligns with the Hero's Journey structure, though some stages are reordered to reflect military culture. For example, the "Meeting with the Mentor" stage occurs after the "Tests" stage. The research reveals how heroic qualities emerge through physical and mental trials, with a distinctive feature being the fluid interchange of ally and enemy roles based on situational contexts.

This study contributes to folklore scholarship by demonstrating how traditional theoretical frameworks can effectively analyze contemporary folk groups, particularly within military institutional settings. It illuminates the cultural mechanisms of military officer cultivation, where the goal is developing Air Force personnel who embody the Royal Thai Air Force's desired characteristics. The findings enhance our understanding of how folklore methodology appears in modern institutional settings, providing insights into the connection between traditional narrative frameworks and contemporary military education.