The U.S. Army is built on discipline, strength, and unity. Yet behind the uniform and the ranks are human beings, each with their own stories, challenges, and pain. In a system that values order and hierarchy, it’s easy for emotional intelligence and empathy to be overlooked.
But in reality, empathy—the ability to understand and share the feelings of another—is one of the most powerful forces for change within the military. It can shift culture, build trust, and even dismantle racism.
Here’s how individual acts of empathy can transform the Army from the inside out:
1. Empathy Strengthens Unit Cohesion
In combat or high-stress environments, soldiers must rely on each other without hesitation. But trust isn’t built through rank alone—it’s built through mutual respect and emotional support. When one soldier listens to another’s struggle with compassion, it sends a powerful message: You matter. That sense of being seen and heard strengthens bonds, increases morale, and enhances operational readiness.
2. Empathy Interrupts Discrimination
Racism and bias often thrive in silence. When a fellow soldier expresses hurt or injustice, it’s easy to dismiss it as complaining or weakness. But when someone chooses empathy—pausing to listen, asking questions, and acknowledging the pain—it disrupts that pattern. One empathetic response can spark conversations, challenge harmful narratives, and even empower others to speak up.
3. Empathy Sets a New Standard for Leadership
Leadership in the Army has traditionally centered around command, control, and the strict enforcement of rules and hierarchy. This model has long been effective in maintaining discipline and operational efficiency. However, as the needs of soldiers evolve and the importance of mental and emotional well-being gains recognition, a new style of leadership is emerging—one that values not just strength, but also sensitivity. Today’s most respected and effective leaders are those who embody both authority and empathy. Empathetic leaders take the time to truly know their soldiers—not just their ranks or performance records, but their names, their personal stories, and the challenges they face both on and off duty.
They understand what motivates each individual, what burdens they carry, what brings them pride, and what causes them pain. This deeper level of connection allows leaders to build trust, foster resilience, and create a command climate where every soldier feels valued. In doing so, they help cultivate safer, more inclusive, and more respectful environments—especially for those who have historically been marginalized, overlooked, or mistreated within the system. By leading with empathy, these leaders not only strengthen unit cohesion but also set a powerful example for others to follow, ultimately transforming the culture of the Army from the inside out.
4. Empathy Is Contagious
One person’s decision to show kindness, speak out against injustice, or simply sit with a fellow soldier who is hurting creates a powerful ripple effect throughout the ranks. These seemingly small acts of empathy and solidarity can have a profound impact, encouraging others to do the same and modeling what genuine support looks like within a military context. When compassion is practiced consistently—even in subtle, everyday ways—it begins to shift the atmosphere. Over time, these steady demonstrations of humanity help foster a culture where dignity, emotional well-being, and mutual understanding are prioritized alongside the core values of duty, discipline, and service.
Rather than being a sign of weakness, empathy becomes a source of strength. It cultivates deeper bonds, reinforces unity, and creates a more resilient and mission-ready force—one that is not only prepared to face external threats but also committed to protecting the humanity within its own ranks. Empathy doesn’t weaken military effectiveness—it enhances it by building trust, morale, and a shared sense of purpose rooted in respect and compassion.
5. Empathy Can Inspire Systemic Change
Empathy is the seed of all transformation—a quiet, yet powerful force that ignites awareness, connection, and ultimately, action. When soldiers and leaders genuinely feel the weight of someone else’s story—especially stories rooted in pain, injustice, or marginalization—they begin to see beyond the surface of procedures and policies. They no longer view issues as isolated incidents but as reflections of deeper, systemic flaws. Empathy opens the door to recognizing gaps in how grievances are acknowledged and resolved, how inclusion is practiced rather than preached, and how fairness is measured and maintained across ranks and roles.
It challenges the status quo, urging individuals and institutions alike to rethink long-standing norms, confront unconscious biases, and humanize every interaction. Over time, this emotional engagement can become a catalyst for lasting change—driving meaningful reforms in leadership development, complaint resolution processes, diversity training, and overall command climate. Through empathy, the Army doesn’t just enforce regulations—it evolves into a more just, responsive, and equitable force
Dr. Gary Mason II’s powerful works illustrate this truth. In Persecuted to Love: A Soldier’s Story, Mason shares how acts of hate were met with love and how his personal suffering became a testimony of faith and resilience. His second book, A Divine Solution: Unconditional Love As An Antidote to Racial Discrimination in the U.S. Army, challenges readers to move from silence to compassion and from judgment to empathy.
In a rigid system like the military, change rarely starts at the top—it begins with individuals. When one soldier chooses empathy over indifference, they lay a foundation for justice and transformation. And when enough people do it, the entire culture shifts.
Empathy is a strength. And it has the power to change the Army, one act at a time.
