Connected Soldiers: Life, Leadership, and Social Connections in Modern War

John Spencer, a new second lieutenant in 2003, learned the importance of unit cohesion in Iraq. When he returned five years later, he found that soldiers spent their downtime separately, reducing the benefits of connections to family. Spencer's book Connected Soldiers offers effective methods for building teams that overcome distractions, without reducing the benefits of connections to family.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 28 September 2022
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press

In 2003, John Spencer, a fresh second lieutenant, found himself parachuting into Iraq, leading a platoon of infantry soldiers into the heart of battle. During that combat tour, he witnessed firsthand the immense importance of unit cohesion in ensuring survival, both physically and mentally. He observed that this cohesion grew as the soldiers shared the horrors of combat, bonding over their shared experiences during downtime.

Five years later, when Spencer returned to Iraq to assume command of a troubled company, he encountered a stark difference. The soldiers no longer spent their downtime together, bonding and processing trauma as a group. Instead, they isolated themselves, engrossed in computer communication with their families back home. Spencer recognized the internet as a potential threat to unit cohesion, but when his wife was deployed, the internet became a lifeline, connecting him and his children to her on a daily basis.

In his book, Connected Soldiers, Spencer shares his invaluable insights on effective team-building methods that transcend the distractions of home and the outside world. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining connections to family while fostering a sense of unity among soldiers. Through compelling anecdotes and practical strategies, Spencer demonstrates how leaders can create a strong and resilient team that can overcome any challenge.

Connected Soldiers is a must-read for military leaders, educators, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of teamwork and the role of technology in shaping modern warfare. It offers valuable lessons that can be applied to both military and civilian contexts, promoting a culture of collaboration and resilience that is essential for success in today's fast-paced and ever-changing world.

Weight: 392g
Dimension: 153 x 227 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781640125124