Soldiers are trained to follow orders and be disciplined.
They are also human beings who experience emotions just like anyone else. They feel sadness when away from their loved ones for extended periods, they fear for their safety, and they miss family members. When it comes to expressing these feelings, though, most prefer to keep them to themselves. This is because they believe that talking about their emotions will make them appear weak and show their vulnerability. Therefore, during deployment, soldiers rely on emotional reassurance from fellow soldiers and their families back home. Emotional reassurance can take many forms, such as receiving letters or calls from loved ones, reading messages on social media, watching videos from home, and listening to songs with familiar lyrics. These acts help soldiers feel connected to those they love and provide comfort, encouragement, and hope. But how do soldiers interpret this type of support differently before, during, and after deployment?
Before deployment, soldiers may have mixed feelings about leaving behind their families. While some look forward to serving their country, others worry about the risks involved. To deal with these concerns, soldiers seek emotional reassurance from their loved ones. They want to know that their absence will not cause too much hardship for their family members and that their relationships will remain intact. Soldiers might ask for a promise that their children will behave well or remind their spouse that they can handle being alone while they are gone. At this time, emotional reassurance means knowing that everything will be okay at home without you.
During deployment, soldiers face constant dangers and challenges in unfamiliar surroundings. As such, they need regular affirmation that their sacrifice is worthwhile and that their families are safe and secure. Families might send care packages, video chat regularly, or post pictures of everyday life at home. These activities keep soldiers emotionally connected to their families and help them cope with stress.
Soldiers may also receive false promises or empty words which leave them feeling disappointed or even angry. Therefore, emotional reassurance during deployment involves making meaningful connections through honest communication.
After deployment, soldiers experience a range of emotions, including relief, pride, exhaustion, fear, loneliness, and depression. This is when they need strong support from their families and friends who understand what they have been through. Families should focus on validating the soldier's feelings rather than trying to cheer them up or telling them to "get over it." Emotional reassurance after deployment requires acknowledging trauma and listening carefully to any issues the soldier wants to discuss. It also means offering practical help, like cooking meals, taking care of household chores, or providing transportation. In short, emotional reassurance is essential throughout the deployment process but has different meanings before, during, and after deployment.
How do soldiers interpret emotional reassurance differently before, during, and after deployment?
The interpretation of emotional reassurance differs significantly for soldiers throughout their deployment cycle due to various factors such as personal experiences, perceptions about military life, socioeconomic status, family background, and cultural values. In general, however, soldiers may seek emotional support from their loved ones before and during deployment to cope with stressors related to leaving behind families and adjusting to new environments while away from home.