Abstract
The article analyzes the phenomenon of self-sacrifice in the theories of identity fusion, “devoted actors” and passionarity. The ability to self-sacrifice is considered as the basis for the conceptualization of the qualitative characteristics of the community. A mechanism for the formation of an identity fusion is proposed. On the basis of this mechanism, the processes of “undermining the spirit of self-sacrifice” and “displacement of offensive heroism by defensive heroism” characteristic of the modern American army are analyzed. It is considered how these processes can affect the security of Russia.