The military lifestyle comes with unique challenges that can be difficult for both the service member and their family. One of these is being away from home while deployed. This means missing out on important life events, such as birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and graduations. Missing these moments can have an emotional impact, causing feelings of guilt, grief, and sadness.
There are ways to cope with this challenge and still stay connected to loved ones back home. Here's how service members adapt to missing major life events, holidays, and personal milestones during deployment:
1. Video Calls and Messaging Apps: Staying connected through video calls and messaging apps allows service members to participate in life events without physically being present. They can watch live streams of celebrations or send messages and photos of special occasions.
2. Care Packages: Sending care packages filled with treats, souvenirs, and gifts helps keep morale high and reminds service members of home.
3. Virtual Reunions: Service members who are unable to attend reunions in person can join virtually by video call.
4. Letters and Notes: Writing letters and notes can help ease homesickness and create a sense of connection.
5. Group Chats: Joining group chats with friends and family members helps build a sense of community and support.
6. Holiday Traditions: Making new traditions while away creates a sense of normalcy and belonging.
Creating a "virtual" holiday dinner with family or watching movies together over video chat.
7. Journaling: Keeping a journal or writing down memories and thoughts can provide comfort and closure when life events happen without the service member present.
8. Focus on the Mission: While it may be difficult, focusing on the mission at hand can help reduce feelings of guilt or sadness about missing out on important moments.
Adapting to missing major life events, holidays, and personal milestones during deployment takes time and effort, but it's possible to stay connected and make adjustments to maintain emotional well-being. By using video calls, care packages, virtual reunions, letters, notes, group chats, holiday traditions, and journaling, service members can cope with the challenges of being apart from their loved ones.
How do service members adapt to missing major life events, holidays, and personal milestones during deployment?
The military is known for its frequent deployments of soldiers and officers, which can last from several months to years at a time. These long absences take their toll on both the family unit and the individual servicemembers themselves. While the military tries to provide support to these individuals during these times, they often find it difficult to cope with being away from friends and family. Service members miss important milestones such as birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and other special occasions.