Most people have experienced the feeling of being away from home for an extended period. They may be working abroad or studying overseas, but the most common scenario is deployment. Service members are frequently sent to different parts of the world to carry out their duties, which can last anywhere between six months and one year. While it is expected that they will miss important life events back home, there are ways to mitigate this feeling.
Service members who experience the feeling of missing significant life events, celebrations, and personal milestones while deployed may find themselves going through various emotions such as homesickness, loneliness, or anxiety. The following steps can help them adapt to these changes:
1. Communication: Keeping in touch with friends and family back home is crucial for service members who feel disconnected from their lives. This can be done through video calls, emails, or social media. It helps them stay updated on what's happening and makes them feel less isolated.
2. Social Support: Service members should try to form meaningful relationships with other members of their unit. They can share experiences, laughter, and even cry together. This support system is essential when feeling alone and helps them cope better with the situation.
3. Rituals: It's vital to create new rituals that bring a sense of normalcy into the service member's life while deployed.
They can set up routines like watching football games or playing cards every weekend. This routine reminds them of their previous way of life and provides comfort.
4. Gratitude: Remembering all the positive things about being away from home can help keep spirits high. They can write down all the reasons why deployment is worthwhile or make gratitude lists to appreciate what they have.
5. Preparation: Being well-prepared before leaving for deployment can also help service members cope better. They can plan ahead by making phone calls, writing letters, or taking pictures of special occasions so that they can relive it later on.
How do service members adapt to missing significant life events, celebrations, and personal milestones while deployed?
Service members are expected to be able to cope with such challenges as they face difficulties during their military service. According to research by Singer (2018), deployment can disrupt personal lives significantly in various ways, including missing important life events like birthdays, holidays, weddings, anniversaries, funerals, and other special occasions.