By Sara Roger
“Soldiers these days just don’t get it.”
I’ve heard that sentence at least ten—maybe even twenty—times since arriving in Germany. And when it came up again this past Thursday, I felt a sudden urge to respond:
“Maybe you don’t get them.”
Every generation seems to believe the one coming up behind it just doesn’t understand “it.” But in a profession like ours—where lives and trust are on the line—that mindset isn’t just unhelpful. It’s a liability.
Here’s Sara’s Spicy Take: saying “they just don’t get it” is a copout. It’s a shortcut we take when we’re frustrated, tired, or unsure how to connect. It’s easier to pin the blame on an entire generation than to ask hard questions and collaborate on a solution. It’s easier to judge from a distance than to step close enough to understand.
What I hope to inspire in the senior leaders who struggle to connect with Gen Z-ers: understanding your subordinates is part of the job. If you’ve stopped trying to understand them, then maybe you don’t get it. Leadership isn’t about standing in the gap—it’s about closing it.
That means learning what drives your Soldiers. Hearing their stories. Recognizing their stress signals. Adjusting your communication: not lowering the standard, but shifting your approach—so they’re empowered to meet it.
That’s not weakness. That’s wisdom.
When I think back to my early days in the Army (I went to basic 17 years ago- woof), I can remember plenty of moments when I didn’t get it either. I didn’t always understand the “why.” I lacked the awareness, the maturity, and the language to process the hard stuff. But I had leaders who didn’t give up on me. Some called me up. Some called me out. A few sat next to me and explained the thing I got wrong, and why it mattered.
That effort—that choice to connect—changed everything.
We say we want better Soldiers. But the more important question is: Are we becoming better leaders?
- Are we getting curious before we get critical: Do we ask what drives them, what confuses them, and what they need to grow?
- Are we learning their language: Do we understand how they communicate, what motivates them, and what kind of feedback actually lands?
- Are we sharing our “why” with transparency: Do we explain our intent and give them room to share theirs?
- Are we correcting with context: Do we clarify what’s wrong and teach what right looks like—and why it matters?
We can’t afford to keep throwing our hands up and saying, “they just don’t get it.” That doesn’t solve problems. That doesn’t lead. That doesn’t grow trust.
The Army needs strong standards. But strength without understanding is brittle. And discipline without connection doesn’t hold. We don’t need another generation of leaders who only know how to point out problems. We need leaders who build bridges.
So the next time someone says,“Soldiers these days just don’t get it,” Maybe, the better response is a question:
“What are you doing to help them understand?”Because if you’re not willing to do that… maybe you don’t get it either.
MAJ Sara Roger is a Field Artillery Officer who enjoys living life to the fullest with her best friend and husband, MAJ Sam Balch (also a Field Artillery Officer). She reflects on life, culture, and the Army profession on her blog, Morale is High.
