The purpose was to examine relationships between individual characteristics, leadership, group cohesion, and risk and safety attitudes among Swedish conscripts (N = 389). The longitudinal questionnaire study revealed positive associations between safety-specific leadership and safety attitudes, while safety skepticism and leadership promoting risk taking were associated with stronger attitudes of necessary risk taking. Attitudes of unnecessary risk taking, on the other hand, were negatively related to safety-specific leadership and group cohesion, but positively associated with safety fatalism and leadership promoting risk taking. Decreases in safety attitudes were found between basic and unit training. The results highlight the importance of a balanced leadership.During recent years a number of questions have been raised regarding the safety culture in different sections of the Swedish Armed Forces. Weaknesses have been pointed out in connection with specific investigations of military accidents (Swedish Accident Investigation Board, 2008), as well as in the more general professional (Swedish Officers Union, 2008) and public debate. Inappropriate attitudes toward safety and unsatisfactory leadership have been suggested as critical factors weakening the upholding of safety standards. There is, however, little relevant empirical evidence regarding attitudes related to safety, how such attitudes might be influenced by factors such as leadership, or the possible behavioral consequences.Correspondence should be addressed to M. Börjesson,