Soldiers are expected to uphold certain values and standards in their profession, such as loyalty, discipline, and obedience.
This can sometimes conflict with their personal identities and familial obligations. This is because military service often involves long periods away from home, leaving family behind for extended periods of time.
The soldier's relationship with their comrades may take precedence over their romantic partners, leading to feelings of guilt or confusion about their place within society. To manage these challenges, soldiers must find ways to balance all aspects of their lives while remaining consistent in their beliefs. They must prioritize their duties, but also recognize that they cannot neglect their personal needs for too long.
Soldiers must strike a balance between these competing demands and responsibilities, finding a way to be true to themselves without compromising their roles in society.
Professional Role: Loyalty and Obedience
As members of the military, soldiers are expected to obey orders and act according to the dictates of their superiors. This means putting aside personal opinions and following directives even if they contradict one's own beliefs. Soldiers must show respect for authority figures and adhere to rules and regulations. At the same time, they must remain flexible enough to adapt to changing situations and environments. This requires strong leadership skills and the ability to think on one's feet. It also means understanding when it is appropriate to question orders and raise concerns when necessary.
Personal Identity
Personal identity refers to an individual's sense of self-worth and values. Soldiers may feel pressure to conform to certain expectations or norms within the military community, which can conflict with their personal identities.
Some may struggle with being away from home for extended periods or feeling cut off from civilian life. Others may face discrimination based on gender, race, religion, or sexual orientation. To maintain coherence between their professional role and personal identity, soldiers need to be aware of how these factors shape them as individuals and understand how to express themselves authentically. This includes knowing one's limits and standing up for oneself while remaining loyal to one's team.
Relational Obligations
Soldiers often form close bonds with other soldiers during service that can become like family. These relationships take precedence over romantic partners, making it difficult to balance both roles simultaneously.
Soldiers should not neglect their responsibilities towards loved ones back home. Balancing these two aspects involves prioritizing communication, setting boundaries, and staying connected in meaningful ways. This could include sending letters, emails, or video messages frequently and scheduling regular phone calls. It may also involve developing rituals or routines that help keep everyone involved in the relationship, even if they are physically apart.
How do soldiers maintain coherence between personal identity, professional role, and relational obligations?
Soldiers who have been deployed to combat zones are prone to experience significant mental health problems due to various challenges they face during their service. Apart from dealing with physical risks such as war injuries, soldiers must also cope with intense stressors that may affect them both mentally and emotionally. The prolonged separation from family members while serving on duty is one of the factors contributing to mental health issues among military personnel.