Soldiers are required to display both emotional strength and physical prowess in their jobs, which can be challenging when they have romantic relationships that require them to show vulnerability and openness. In this essay, I will discuss how soldiers navigate the tension between being professionally competent and emotionally available to loved ones during deployment or other times of separation from home.
Relationship vulnerability and professional competence are not mutually exclusive concepts for soldiers, but rather exist together on a spectrum that soldiers must negotiate carefully. While soldiers may feel more comfortable expressing themselves emotionally within a relationship, their duty requires that they maintain a distance between their personal lives and their work lives. This can create a sense of cognitive dissonance, where soldiers struggle to reconcile the demands of their job with their desire to share their feelings with those they care about.
When soldiers are deployed, they may experience loneliness, fear, anxiety, and depression, which can make it difficult to maintain a healthy relationship with their partner back home. They may be tempted to shut down emotionally or become distant, but this can harm their relationship. Instead, soldiers need to find ways to communicate their feelings honestly without compromising their professionalism.
Soldiers might write letters or emails to their partners, sharing their struggles and offering reassurance, while also recognizing that they cannot control everything that happens in combat.
Soldiers must maintain their professional competence even when separated from their families. If they let their emotions get in the way of their work, they could put themselves and their comrades at risk. They must stay focused on the mission and avoid distractions that would reduce their effectiveness as soldiers. This can mean making sacrifices for their relationships, such as missing birthdays or anniversaries or spending less time talking on the phone or video chatting.
To navigate these tensions successfully, soldiers must develop a strong support system both at home and among their colleagues. They should seek out mentors who understand the challenges of military life and can provide advice and encouragement. They should also build resilience by practicing self-care techniques like meditation, exercise, or journaling. By taking care of themselves physically and emotionally, soldiers can better handle the demands of their job and maintain healthy relationships.
Soldiers face unique challenges in balancing relational vulnerability and perceived professional competence. With careful planning and support, however, they can maintain strong relationships while remaining effective on the battlefield.
How do soldiers navigate the interplay between relational vulnerability and perceived professional competence?
Soldiers may struggle with balancing their relational vulnerability and perceived professional competence as they work to maintain strong relationships within their units while also upholding high standards of performance. The challenge lies in finding a balance between being authentic and open about their personal lives while also projecting confidence and expertise during missions.