Soldiers are trained to be independent individuals who can think for themselves and make decisions without relying on others.
They still need to form strong attachments to their comrades and commanders during deployment to maintain motivation, focus, and confidence. This article will explore how soldiers manage these attachments while facing high operational risks such as warfare, combat, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, or humanitarian missions.
Managing Dependency
Dependence is an essential part of military life where soldiers rely on each other's skills, abilities, expertise, experience, knowledge, and support. They depend on their teammates for physical protection, emotional support, guidance, and assistance in difficult situations. Dependency also helps them cope with stressful conditions like long working hours, isolation from families, fatigue, and mental strain.
To manage dependency, soldiers practice self-reliance through training exercises that challenge their decision-making abilities, resourcefulness, leadership qualities, communication skills, and problem-solving techniques. They learn to trust themselves and make quick decisions without outside help. In addition, they participate in team activities like sports, hobbies, games, and shared responsibilities to build camaraderie and boost morale.
Soldiers may also seek professional counseling to improve interpersonal relationships and overcome psychological barriers like anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addiction issues. Counselors provide a safe space for open discussions about personal problems and offer coping strategies to overcome emotional challenges.
Managing Attachment
Attachments are deep bonds between individuals based on mutual respect, loyalty, trust, affection, admiration, and care. Soldiers form strong attachments to their commanders, comrades, family members, and loved ones during deployment as they share life-threatening experiences and face daily dangers together. These attachments strengthen the unit's cohesion, discipline, and performance under pressure.
To manage attachment, soldiers prioritize clear communication channels to maintain positive relationships with their superiors and subordinates. They engage in regular meetings, briefings, and debriefings to address concerns, resolve conflicts, and ensure accountability. Soldiers also follow strict rules of conduct, dress code, and behavior to demonstrate respect and loyalty to each other.
In times of emergency, soldiers may rely heavily on attachment to stay focused, motivated, and committed to the mission. They depend on their commander's leadership skills, decision-making abilities, and guidance to make critical decisions that affect everyone's safety and well-being. In such situations, attachment becomes a powerful force that unites people around a common goal or objective.
Soldiers develop a sense of belonging through shared experiences, teamwork, camaraderie, and supportive relationships that keep them going even when faced with adversity. This feeling of unity is essential for psychological resilience and helps prevent isolation, loneliness, and despair.
In what ways do soldiers manage attachment and dependency under conditions of high operational risk?
Soldiers who serve in combat zones are constantly exposed to situations that require them to make quick decisions and engage in intense physical activity. This can lead to feelings of anxiety, stress, and fear for their safety. As a result, they may develop an avoidant attachment style, where they become less dependent on others and more self-reliant.