How does prolonged exposure to isolation during field operations influence service members' understanding of dependency and interdependence?
Living in close quarters for extended periods can have profound effects on human behavior.
When service members are deployed into remote areas without easy access to family, friends, and social outlets, they must adjust their lifestyles drastically. This change may lead them to develop new ways of interacting that are different from what they were used to before being deployed.
The idea of independence is often celebrated in military culture. Service members pride themselves on having survival skills like cooking, cleaning, and problem-solving. These abilities help them cope with adverse conditions in austere environments.
Living alone can be challenging even for those who are used to it. In contrast, people who live together need each other's support. They depend on one another to fulfill emotional and practical needs, such as sharing household chores or providing companionship.
When service members live in isolation, they rely solely on themselves for everything. There is no one else around them to provide backup, advice, or assistance when things go wrong. This lack of dependence encourages them to become more self-sufficient and resilient. But it also makes them feel alone and disconnected from others.
This isolation can impact how they view relationships back home.
After a deployment, many veterans find it difficult to readjust to civilian life because they have grown accustomed to relying on themselves. They struggle with the idea of depending on someone else, and may find it hard to ask for help or show vulnerability. On the other hand, those who thrive in teamwork and collaboration might enjoy working closely with colleagues but miss the sense of belonging that comes from spending time with family and friends.
Prolonged exposure to isolation during field operations influences how service members understand dependency and interdependence. It can create an imbalance between their personal desires and expectations regarding independence and intimacy. Understanding these effects can aid in developing strategies for helping individuals transition smoothly after deployment.
How does prolonged exposure to isolation during field operations influence service members' understanding of dependency and interdependence?
Service members have been shown to develop strong social bonds with their fellow soldiers due to the nature of their work in challenging environments (Seligman et al. , 2013). Isolation from such social support networks can lead to feelings of loneliness and alienation (Parker & Thatcher, 2014), which may cause individuals to lose sight of the value of interdependency in order to survive and succeed on missions.