Service members are highly trained individuals who serve their countries honorably through various operations and duties. While they have to focus on accomplishing these tasks, it is crucial for them to find time to reflect on their personal lives, including their relationships with partners.
Some operations may require all their attention and leave no time for such contemplation. Such situations make it challenging for service members to engage in relational decision-making that is often essential for maintaining healthy romantic ties. This paper explains how service members navigate relational decision-making when operational demands limit reflection or discussion.
During deployment, service members experience stressful environments where they can hardly think about anything beyond mission success. Therefore, they usually neglect their relationships until their return from duty. In this regard, many military couples suffer breakups because the latter partner feels abandoned due to the former's lack of communication during deployment.
A study conducted by Carrie L. Oser et al. among service members deployed in Afghanistan revealed that most soldiers considered relationship issues as secondary to military responsibilities. Further, their findings showed that communication technology like Skype was vital but insufficient for maintaining strong relationships. Moreover, the service members expressed fears regarding the disconnect between civilian life and military life, which affected their connection with their families.
When service members have limited access to reliable internet connectivity or mobile phones, they struggle with relational decision-making. Since they cannot communicate with their partners easily, they feel isolated and detached from their loved ones. These conditions may result in anxiety, depression, loneliness, and other negative emotions that affect relationship maintenance. As a result, service members develop coping mechanisms such as using social media platforms to keep up with their partners.
These platforms only offer superficial interactions that fail to address the real issues at hand.
Some service members turn to pornography and sex chat rooms as distractions from operational pressures, further deteriorating their relationships.
Service members who face relational difficulties must also prioritize their physical and mental health over romantic ties.
If they become physically ill while on deployment, they must focus all their energy on healing instead of discussing relationship challenges. Similarly, if they experience mental health problems like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), it becomes impossible to process relational concerns effectively due to constant triggers that remind them of combat experiences. Therefore, without proper treatment, PTSD can lead to relationship breakdowns even when service members are back home.
Conclusively, service members encounter various obstacles in making relational decisions during operations that demand their full attention. To navigate these circumstances, they need to prioritize physical and mental wellbeing and avoid substance abuse and other vices that harm personal growth. They should also use communication technologies to stay connected to their partners and seek professional help for any underlying issues. By doing so, service members can maintain healthy relationships despite operational demands and ensure their personal development.
How do service members navigate relational decision-making when operational demands limit reflection or discussion?
Despite limited time for self-reflection or communication with others, military personnel may employ various strategies to navigate their relational decisions effectively. These include prioritizing tasks, utilizing resources available on base or through their unit/chain of command, seeking guidance from mentors or trusted peers, and relying on established values or principles that guide their decision-making process.