Relationships are often challenging when partners have to cope with frequent, extended, geographically distant, or short-term separations. This is known as "rotational deployment" for military personnel, firefighters, police officers, nurses, airline pilots, flight attendants, and others who work in professions that require them to be away from home regularly.
One strategy for supporting relational continuity, trust, and emotional support across rotational deployments is maintaining open communication. Partners should express their feelings honestly, including concerns about separation anxiety and fears of infidelity. They can discuss expectations about contact frequency, types, timing, and modes. Open communication builds mutual understanding, resolves misunderstandings, reduces conflict, and enhances connection.
Another strategy is planning dates together before and after deployment. Planning ahead helps partners anticipate time apart and enjoy time together. It also allows them to make plans for special occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and more. If possible, plan travel together during leave periods.
Practicing positive self-care during separation enables partners to manage stress, improve mood, and feel more confident about themselves. Healthy activities include exercise, meditation, reading, journaling, and pursuing hobbies. Partners can also build social networks among family and friends to reduce isolation and loneliness.
To build and maintain trust, partners should prioritize honesty, respect, loyalty, and transparency. Trust may be harmed by betrayal, deceit, secrecy, unfaithfulness, or manipulation. Partners should avoid temptations, limit excessive drinking, and not put themselves in compromising situations. They should communicate openly if they suspect betrayal or cheating.
Emotional support strategies involve active listening, empathizing with each other's feelings, and acknowledging the unique challenges of rotational deployments. Partners should show appreciation, gratitude, affection, encouragement, and validation. They can read books on coping with long-distance relationships, attend workshops or seminars, seek professional help, and practice mindfulness.
By practicing these strategies, partners can strengthen their relationship, minimize conflicts, and promote relational continuity across rotational deployments.
What strategies support relational continuity, trust, and emotional support across rotational deployments?
Relational continuity is supported by maintaining regular communication with one's partner and children during deployment, which can be facilitated through technology such as video calls, emails, and social media. Trust between partners can be maintained by demonstrating commitment to each other's needs and emotional support for one another before, during, and after deployment. This involves active listening, empathy, and understanding of each other's experiences and perspectives.