Operationalization of Emotional Connectedness in the U.S. Military

In the dynamic and challenging environment of military operations, the successful completion of missions often hinges on strategic insight, technical skills, and interpersonal relationships among service members. Despite its significance, emotional connectedness (EC) is often an overlooked dimension of military leadership. The existing literature on connectedness shows that leaders who prioritize fostering an environment marked by shared leadership, organizational citizenship behavior, work commitment, perceptions of justice, and perceptions of support gain influence and help establish a climate of trust and innovation. This research assists military leaders in defining EC within a military context and developing a practitioner-centered theoretical framework that integrates connections to self, others, and purpose, thereby nurturing it within the United States Military. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, this study investigates the lived experiences of enlisted United States Air Force members assigned to the 2nd Bomb Wing through semi-structured interviews. The findings contribute to the limited corpus of literature on EC within military settings, highlighting its multifaceted nature as a critical component in promoting cohesion, collaboration, and mission effectiveness. The study results are consistent with existing research demonstrating that EC is vital for tactical, operational, and strategic success by enhancing unit resilience and performance.