When serving abroad, military personnel must often rely on sporadic or mediated communication to stay connected to their loved ones back home. This can create challenges in maintaining intimate relationships, which may require them to redefine what constitutes intimacy and how it is expressed. Here are some ways that service members adapt to this new reality:
1. Communication strategies
Military personnel develop innovative ways to keep in touch with their partners, such as using video chat, email, social media, and phone calls. They become adept at communicating through technology, learning to convey emotions and intimacy in short messages.
2. Role adjustments
Service members may need to take on different roles within their relationship, such as becoming more supportive, understanding, or patient when apart. They learn to prioritize physical presence less and focus on emotional connection instead.
3. Reframing expectations
Many service members accept that intimacy will be limited during deployment and come to appreciate the time they do spend together. They may also seek out other forms of fulfillment, like hobbies, friends, or community involvement.
4. Self-care
Stress and isolation can have a negative impact on sexual and emotional health, so service members prioritize self-care measures like exercise, meditation, and therapy to manage stress and improve mood.
5. Gratitude and appreciation
Military personnel express gratitude for their partner's understanding and patience, appreciating the effort made to maintain the relationship while they are away. This strengthens bonds and promotes resilience.
6. Shared goals
Setting shared goals and objectives can help couples feel connected despite distance, providing a sense of purpose and direction. Service members may work towards personal or professional goals while deployed, then share them with their partner upon return.
Military personnel must adapt their approach to intimacy during deployment by embracing new communication strategies, redefining relationship roles, managing stress, and focusing on mutual respect and appreciation. By doing so, they can deepen connections and find meaning in their relationships, even from afar.
How do service members reconstruct their understanding of intimacy when prolonged absence forces reliance on sporadic or mediated communication?
Service members who are away from their loved ones for long periods may find it difficult to maintain an intimate relationship due to the lack of physical and face-to-face contact with their partner. This can lead them to rely on other forms of communication, such as phone calls, texts, and video chats, which can be unreliable and less satisfying than in-person interactions.