This study was conducted during two operational tours, in Kosovo in 2002 and 2007, in a context of civil-military action. It involved looking into the motives of reserve military personnel who accept the addition of a ‘volunteer for external operations’ clause to their engagement to serve in the operational reserve (ESR). Combining the results of the two surveys, it can be seen that these personnel are motivated primarily by ‘positive’ values: ‘taste for adventure’, ‘desire to live in a military atmosphere’ and a ‘desire to serve’.