The bond between soldiers is often described as "fraternity", but it can also include romantic, platonic, or familial feelings. It involves trust, respect, loyalty, commitment, sacrifice, compassion, camaraderie, support, protection, shared risk, shared suffering, and shared victories. These bonds are formed through shared experience, such as combat, training, missions, deployments, and hardships. They provide emotional security and stability that help soldiers cope with traumatic experiences and moral injury. Soldiers who feel close to their comrades can confide in them about difficult issues, seek advice, share secrets, and receive comfort and encouragement. This helps reduce isolation and loneliness, which are major contributors to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other mental health problems. Shared understanding of the nature of warfare and its psychological effects can promote mutual empathy and resilience. The strongest bonds may involve intimacy that goes beyond friendship, including physical contact, sexual attraction, and even relationships. When this happens, the bonds become more intense, complex, and long-lasting, and they offer a deeper level of emotional connection that supports coping with trauma and injury.
Intimate bonds can be a source of comfort, love, and joy, but they also carry risks. Inappropriate behavior, betrayal, rejection, and disappointment can cause pain and shame. Some soldiers may avoid forming intimate bonds for fear of these negative consequences.
Having someone to talk to and care for can make all the difference when facing traumas like death, violence, or personal failures. Intimate bonds can provide support, motivation, and courage to face challenges and overcome obstacles. They can create a sense of belonging and purpose that is essential for resilience. When soldiers experience difficulties, they often turn to their comrades first for support and guidance. These bonds help maintain morale, resilience, and commitment to duty, as well as preventing self-destructive behaviors such as substance abuse, suicide, and violence.
The importance of intimate bonds in combat has been recognized throughout history. In ancient Greece, soldiers developed deep friendships based on loyalty, trust, and sacrifice. In modern times, soldiers share experiences through social media and online communities. This helps them feel connected, valued, and supported, which contributes to mental health and overall well-being. Intimacy and sexuality are important aspects of soldiering and should not be ignored or avoided. It's time we acknowledge that intimate bonds contribute significantly to resilience against traumatic experiences and moral injury.
How do intimate bonds between soldiers contribute to resilience against traumatic experiences and moral injury?
Soldiers who experience close and meaningful relationships with their comrades are more likely to develop strong feelings of solidarity, empathy, support, trust, and connection. These positive social ties can provide them with a sense of purpose, belonging, meaning, and value that helps them cope with the stressors of military life and overcome challenges such as combat trauma, deployment separation, and reintegration difficulties.