Building an Enduring, Resilient Soldier

Chaplain’s Corner

By Chaplain (Maj.) Glen Thompson

July 1, 2026 | Army Communicator, Summer 2026 Edition

Read Time: < 3 mins

As an Ethics chaplain assigned to the U.S. Army Signal School, I spend my days walking the line between the sacred and the synthetic – where the next generation of Signaleers learns to build, operate, and defend the military’s most critical communication infrastructures. Yet, the most vital network we build at this institution is not composed of fiber optic cables, routers, or equipment. The truly enduring network is of the human domain – forged from the resilient char-acter and unwavering ethics of our Soldiers.

We build resilient Soldiers rooted in strong ethics, recognizing that trust is the absolute bedrock of the Army foundation. Army doctrine explicitly estab-lishes trust as the bedrock upon which all cohesive teamwork and decentralized execution – the core of mission command – are built.

Trust is the center of gravity for every effective Army leader, and for Signal-ers it becomes even more critical. ADP 6‑22 frames trust as the foundation of the Army Profession, the essential bond that allows Soldiers to operate confidently in complex, high‑pressure environments. For Signal Soldiers, who safeguard networks, enable mission command, and keep the force connected, trust is not just a leadership concept. It is a combat multiplier.

Building trust begins with character, the first of the Army’s leadership requirements. Signalers earn trust when they demonstrate integrity in every action, from protecting sensitive information to maintaining communi-cations security. When Soldiers see leaders consistently uphold standards, even when no one is watching, they gain confidence that their leaders will do the right thing under stress. This moral consistency becomes the bed-rock of resilience.

Competence is the second pillar. Army Doctrine Publication (ADP) 6‑22 emphasizes that leaders build trust by demonstrating the ability to perform their duties to a high standard. In the Signal Corps, competence means mastering rapidly evolving technologies, troubleshooting under pressure, and delivering reliable communication in all conditions. When a Signaleer proves they can keep the network alive in chaos, they strengthen the team’s belief in the mission and in each other. Competence fuels resilience by reducing uncertainty and empowering disciplined initiative.

Commitmentcompletes the three Cs. Leaders show commitment by investing in their Soldiers’ develop-ment, advocating for resources, and demonstrating genuine care for the team’s well‑being. ADP 6‑22 notes that trust grows when Soldiers believe their leaders are dedicated to their success. For Signaleers, this means creat-ing a climate where learning is encouraged, mistakes become opportunities, and every Soldier feels valued. Such climates produce resilient teams capable of adapting to adversity.

Ultimately, trust transforms a group of individuals into a cohesive, resilient Signal formation. It enables decen-tralized execution, fosters psychological safety, and strengthens the shared belief that the team can overcome any challenge. When Signaleers trust their leaders, their equipment, and each other, they become more than technical experts – they become the connective tissue of the Army’s operational success.