Relational Intimacy vs Professional Identity
Relationships are an important part of life. As human beings, we need to connect with others, whether it's through friendship, romantic partnerships, or family ties.
For military personnel, these connections can be challenging because of their profession's strict guidelines regarding emotional expressiveness and selflessness. In this essay, we will examine how soldiers reconcile relational intimacy with professional identity and military stoicism norms.
Reconciling Relational Intimacy
Reconciling relational intimacy is a complicated process that involves navigating between personal desires and professional obligations. On one hand, soldiers must maintain close bonds with their comrades, friends, and loved ones to stay mentally and emotionally healthy.
This intimate connection often leads to feelings of vulnerability, which conflicts with military values of strength, self-reliance, and control. To resolve this dilemma, soldiers develop strategies that allow them to express emotions while still adhering to military codes of conduct. These include confiding in trusted colleagues, communicating openly about fears and anxieties, and seeking support from unit leaders when needed.
Military Stoicism Norms
Military stoicism is a set of values that emphasizes emotional restraint, detachment, and self-discipline. It dictates that soldiers should suppress their feelings, maintain composure under stressful circumstances, and prioritize the mission over personal needs. This mindset can make it difficult for soldiers to connect with others on an intimate level without compromising their professional responsibilities. As a result, many soldiers experience feelings of isolation, loneliness, and disconnection from those outside their unit. To combat these negative effects, some soldiers seek out therapy or engage in activities that promote social interaction like sports, hobbies, or community service. Others turn to substances or risky behaviors as coping mechanisms.
Reconciling relational intimacy with military norms requires balance, communication, and self-awareness. Soldiers must be willing to navigate complex emotions and relationships while upholding their professional duties. With proper support and guidance, they can find ways to connect with others while still fulfilling their obligations to the military.
How do soldiers reconcile relational intimacy with professional identity and the norms of military stoicism?
The transition back to civilian life after serving in the armed forces can be challenging for many veterans due to the complexities involved in integrating into their previous social roles and relationships, as well as adapting to the norms of society that they were previously separated from. The process of reintegration is often accompanied by feelings of isolation, confusion, and disorientation, which may make it difficult for them to establish new connections and navigate interpersonal dynamics.