Soldiers are trained to be self-sufficient individuals capable of functioning independently for extended periods without external support. This skill set is essential when deployed away from home for months or years at a time.
They also rely heavily on the love and support provided by their family back home to maintain emotional wellbeing while serving their country. The deployment cycle can create tension between these two competing needs, leading to soldiers struggling to balance relational independence with emotional interdependence.
One way that soldiers maintain relational independence during deployment cycles is by establishing clear boundaries with loved ones. They may limit contact with their families to specific times of day or days of the week, avoid sharing personal details about their experiences, or even temporarily block access to social media accounts to prevent temptation to engage in intimate conversations online. These measures help them stay focused on their mission objectives rather than getting distracted by feelings of homesickness or anxiety.
Soldiers depend heavily on regular communication with their partners and children to maintain emotional wellbeing. Long phone calls, video chats, and letters provide a much-needed sense of connection and closeness despite physical separation. Soldiers may even use technology like VR headsets to simulate shared experiences or participate in interactive activities together. This helps maintain the feeling of togetherness and makes the time apart feel less lonely.
The key to balancing relational independence with emotional interdependence is finding the right balance between protecting one's privacy and seeking out emotional connection. Some soldiers find it helpful to create a routine where they focus exclusively on work for several hours each day before connecting with loved ones at designated times. Others prioritize connecting daily but keep their interactions brief to avoid oversharing sensitive information.
Every soldier must determine what works best for them based on their individual circumstances and personality traits.
Striking this balance can be challenging but essential for soldiers' mental health. By taking intentional steps to protect their privacy while still seeking out emotional support, soldiers can navigate deployment cycles without sacrificing either aspect of their relationship needs.
How do soldiers balance relational independence with emotional interdependence during deployment cycles?
Soldiers experience different challenges while they are deployed and their absence affects their family members back home. The military lifestyle requires that soldiers must learn how to deal with prolonged separations from their loved ones due to the nature of the job. This separation can be emotionally taxing for both parties involved, as they may feel lonely, anxious, and depressed when apart.