Connected Soldiers

Life, Leadership, and Social Connections in Modern War

By John Spencer

Article published on: September 1, 2025 in the Army History Fall 2025 Issue

Read Time: < 4 mins

Potomac Books, 2022

Pp. xxiii, 246. $24.95

Reviewed by Sai On Ng

John Spencer’s book offers a unique perspective on the lives of soldiers in combat and the leadership challenge of building a team in the era of the internet. He underscores the importance of cohesion in the military, a concept he explores through the lens of Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier of World War II, who famously fought bravely because his friends were being killed (5, 71). Spencer’s book is a valuable resource for those seeking to understand the complexities of military life and the role of leadership in fostering cohesion. According to Spencer’s book, proficiency in influencing others toward the right standards and fostering teamwork characterizes good leadership (108). He illustrates this claim through his firsthand experiences as a platoon leader and testimonies from his soldiers on fostering cohesion during his first deployment to Iraq in 2003. Later, Spencer recounts how he transformed an incohesive company within a battalion into a champion team during his second deployment to Iraq in 2008, despite the challenges of maintaining soldier connections in the digital age.

Murphy stated that an organic approach is essential to building unit cohesion, where soldiers see each other as friends. Spencer provides numerous insights and research into the natural development of cohesion. One interesting point is about boredom. He writes, “Research indicates that strong bonds are actually forged through social cohesion during the long hours of boredom that characterize soldiering” (69). His experience during his first deployment supports this, as the downtime allowed soldiers to share their experiences and lives, fostering deeper relationships. Another point is the significance of receiving physical mail. Spencer highlights the importance of mail call, during which soldiers would share their care packages with one another (57). He uses these examples to explain why, during his first deployment, his soldiers fought together even when they were injured.

Spencer’s positive experience with a cohesive platoon in 2003 contrasts sharply with the challenges he faced when he took command of a company in 2008. The company’s lack of cohesion stemmed from the poor leadership of his predecessor. Soldiers lacked a sense of group identity and were reluctant to endure hardships together. Spencer also attributed the lack of cohesion to technology, noting that “Soldiers now talk to each other less, especially about their shared experiences from patrols and missions, and instead fill their hours of boredom with Facebook updates, real-time messaging, and phone calls home” (95). He poses a series of questions challenging the integration of technology into soldiers’ daily lives in combat: “How would this work in a world where Soldiers are more connected to their outside social networks than to each other? How did they cope with the stresses of combat through Facebook posts and phone calls to people who were not there with them?” (134).

Is it fair for Spencer to blame technology for causing a lack of cohesion within military units? Soldiers voluntarily join the military with the expectation of camaraderie and teamwork, reinforced through military training. Although heavy internet or social media use may distract soldiers from social interactions, it may not cause a lack of cohesion within a unit, but instead may reflect an existing lack of cohesion. Therefore, even though Spencer’s attribution of disunity to technology may have some validity, it is important to avoid placing the blame on technology as a scapegoat for poor leadership.

To restore unity within his company, Spencer reverted to his proven strategy: facing challenges together, maintaining standards, fostering communication during downtime, and instilling the company’s identity and self-esteem in the soldiers. As he puts it: “Similar to a parent or coach who imposes rules and discipline and are loved more by their children or athletes for that strictness, a military leader who enforces military standards is followed more readily by soldiers who are accustomed to such standards” (134). Soldiers were directed to focus on their teams, despite having the internet readily available to them. He writes: “Soldiers need to talk to other soldiers to process what they have seen, hear how others perceived it, understand why it bothered them, and to grasp that they are not alone in struggling to cope” (161).

Spencer’s journey with his company concludes on a high note. His company earned the highest respect within the battalion, achieving a significant milestone by capturing Abu Omar al-Baghdadi, an Iraqi militant and high-value target (185). This could have been the end of his story, but he does return to his discussion about the use of the internet in soldiers’ lives. He acknowledges that the internet has both advantages and disadvantages in connecting soldiers with the outside world during deployment (189). It can be a distraction, but it also provides significant benefits by helping soldiers stay in touch with family and prepares them for their postdeployment life with social media and supportive networks across the country.

The final chapter reflects Spencer’s reassessment of the internet, prompted by his wife Emily’s military deployment to Kuwait. He maintains that no amount of technology can replace the physical presence and the feeling of someone being there (208). However, he also acknowledges that modern technology enabled his wife to be part of their daily lives despite their physical distance (212). These dual perspectives highlight technology’s limitations and its potential as a double-edged sword. However, the book concludes without offering specific solutions for enhancing unit cohesion through technology. It leaves the challenge of balancing soldiers’ online and social lives for future research.

As an Army Reserve chaplain for fourteen years, I concur with Spencer that cohesion is most effective at the company level, which is around 150 soldiers (182). However, after reading this book, one might question the role senior personnel play in building cohesion in the Army. Spencer does not delve deeply into this topic and, in fact, highlights instances where senior personnel have had counterproductive effects. For example, a two-star general made a false promise to soldiers of a quick end to the war (36); a battalion command sergeant major immediately left the combat zone when attacked (47); and a colonel prioritized internet connectivity over the safety of soldiers (131).

Although Spencer’s book does not discuss the role of senior leaders in building cohesion, it still offers valuable insights. His concerns about the impact of the internet and social media on team cohesion are well-founded. Excessive internet use during downtime in an operational environment is likely a symptom of poor leadership, if not the primary cause. Addressing the role of technology in soldiers’ lives is crucial for building a cohesive unit. The key takeaway from the book is that good leadership is more critical than ever, as today’s soldiers face greater distractions.