Soldiers who have been deployed often experience feelings of vulnerability that are challenging to express in their civilian lives. Deployment can leave one feeling exposed to physical danger, emotional stress, and social isolation. As they return home, these veterans may struggle to reconcile this sense of exposure with their everyday interactions with friends, family members, coworkers, romantic partners, or even strangers on the street.
Deployments also offer opportunities for soldiers to develop new perspectives on vulnerability which could benefit them later in life.
Some soldiers learn to trust others more deeply after experiencing the uncertainty of deployment. Others gain confidence through their ability to navigate difficult situations successfully. Still others become accustomed to sharing responsibilities with teammates, which translates into greater willingness to collaborate in other contexts. These lessons about how to manage vulnerability can be applied to relational contexts back home.
Trust
One major way that veterans integrate lessons learned in deployment is by developing deeper trust in others. Soldiers who rely on each other for safety and survival must learn to share personal information and depend on each other's support. This fosters a greater appreciation for transparency, honesty, loyalty, and empathy among teammates. When soldiers come home, they may find themselves missing the closeness of their platoon and yearning for similar relationships. They may seek out people with whom they can share honestly and vulnerably, knowing that those individuals will be there for them no matter what. They may look for opportunities to build such friendships at work, school, or within their communities.
Collaboration
Another way that veterans apply lessons from deployment is by valuing collaboration over individualism. In combat zones, soldiers must work together as part of a team to achieve goals. They learn to listen carefully to instructions, share responsibilities, and communicate effectively under pressure. When they return home, this emphasis on cooperation can translate into better communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and leadership potential.
A soldier who has spent time leading a squad may bring these skills to a job interview or management position, demonstrating an ability to organize tasks and delegate effectively.
Self-Awareness
Deployments often prompt soldiers to reflect on their own strengths and weaknesses. The rigors of combat require constant self-assessment, which leads many veterans to become more aware of their own limits and capabilities. When they return home, this increased self-awareness can help them navigate interpersonal interactions more thoughtfully. By being conscious of their emotional reactions and physical limitations, veterans can better understand how others perceive them and adapt accordingly. This newfound self-knowledge can also lead to greater empathy and compassion for others, as they recognize the challenges that everyone faces in life.
How do soldiers integrate lessons about vulnerability learned in deployment into civilian relational contexts?
Soldiers who have experienced traumatic events during deployment may struggle with trusting others in their personal lives due to heightened feelings of vulnerability and fear of being emotionally harmed again. They may also find it difficult to connect with loved ones on an intimate level and feel isolated from friends and family members, even after they return home.