The psychological struggles that come from being a soldier are far more than just physical trauma. Soldiers often have to make difficult decisions about how they act while fighting for their country. They may be placed in situations where it is necessary to kill others, which can lead to feelings of guilt and remorse.
These negative emotions often clash with the need to maintain relationships with family members back home who do not understand why they were forced into these situations. This article will explore how soldiers reconcile experiences of moral and ethical conflict with relational needs and desires through four main sections: Experiences of Moral and Ethical Conflict; Emotional Impacts of Moral Dilemmas; Reconciling Morals and Relationships; Strategies for Reconciliation.
Experiences of Moral and Ethical Conflict
Soldiers must constantly face tough choices while on duty, which can be emotionally taxing.
If an enemy target has been identified as having information valuable to their mission, soldiers must decide whether or not to take them captive rather than killing them outright. In some cases, this may mean risking lives by engaging in combat with other enemies. The choice between saving lives and completing a mission can cause deep distress for many soldiers who find themselves in such situations.
Soldiers may be asked to carry out orders that violate their personal beliefs or morals, such as committing acts of violence against civilians who pose no threat. These decisions create a sense of internal turmoil that soldiers struggle to manage.
Emotional Impacts of Moral Dilemmas
When faced with difficult moral dilemmas, it is common for soldiers to experience a wide range of emotions. Guilt and remorse are common feelings among those who have made the decision to kill others. Many soldiers report feeling guilty about taking another person's life, even when they know it was necessary for their job. Other soldiers may feel anger towards their commanders for placing them in these situations in the first place. Some soldiers also experience depression due to the weight of their decisions and the consequences that follow. All of these emotions can have a significant impact on their ability to maintain healthy relationships back home.
Reconciling Morals and Relationships
Soldiers who return from deployment often face challenges reintegrating into civilian life. They may find it difficult to relate to family members or friends who do not understand what they went through while fighting abroad. This disconnect can lead to frustration and resentment, which can damage the relationship further. In addition, soldiers may struggle to explain their experiences without triggering negative emotions in those around them.
There are strategies that can help soldiers reconcile their moral and ethical conflicts with relational needs and desires. One strategy is talking openly with loved ones about their experiences and feelings. Another is seeking counseling services to process trauma and work through moral dilemmas.
Spending time together doing activities outside of combat-related topics can be helpful for both parties involved.
Strategies for Reconciliation
The most effective way for soldiers to reconcile their moral and ethical conflicts with relational needs and desires is to talk openly with loved ones. It is important for soldiers to express their thoughts and feelings about what happened during their deployments so that family members can better understand why they acted as they did.
Seeking counseling services can provide an opportunity for soldiers to work through their emotions in a safe environment.
Engaging in noncombat-related activities such as hobbies or sports can create new memories and strengthen bonds between individuals who have been apart for extended periods of time. By using these strategies, soldiers can begin to heal emotionally and develop healthy relationships once again.
Being a soldier comes with many psychological struggles beyond physical injury. Soldiers must make difficult decisions every day while fighting for their country, which can lead to moral and ethical conflict. These conflicts can cause deep distress and emotional turmoil that can interfere with their ability to maintain relationships back home. To reconcile these experiences, soldiers should talk openly with loved ones, seek counseling services, and spend time on noncombat-related activities. With the right support, soldiers can learn how to cope with their experiences and reconnect with those around them.
How do soldiers reconcile experiences of moral and ethical conflict with relational needs and desires?
Soldiers can experience moral and ethical conflicts that challenge their relationships with family members, friends, and other loved ones due to the nature of their work as military personnel. They may feel guilty about injuring or killing others during combat, which can lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and anxiety that affect their interactions with those close to them.