Challenges to national defence in contemporary geopolitical situation

This study examines the construction of military identity among Generation Z cadets in technologically mediated training environments. A comparative quantitative design was applied using data from cadets in Bulgaria and the Czech Republic (N = 120). Military identity is operationalized through leadership identity and analyzed in relation to stress exposure, resilience, and belonging. The results show that belonging and resilience are significant predictors of leadership identity, while stress exposure has no direct effect. Cross-national differences indicate distinct identity formation pathways shaped by institutional context. The findings suggest a shift toward hybrid models of military identity integrating institutional values with psychological and social factors.