Soldiers are trained to maintain strict discipline and control their emotions. They must remain focused on completing missions and staying alive. This can make it challenging for them to express their true feelings and connect authentically with others.
Some researchers suggest that even in the most extreme circumstances, soldiers can find ways to build genuine connections with one another based on trust, honesty, openness, and empathy. These bonds can provide crucial support during stressful times and create a sense of community within military units.
In high-stakes situations such as war, soldiers may feel isolated from loved ones back home and have limited opportunities to form close relationships. To sustain authentic connections under these conditions, soldiers need to be vulnerable enough to share their fears, struggles, and personal experiences with each other. They also need to listen actively and show compassion for their teammates' perspectives. When they do this, they create a culture of mutual understanding and respect where everyone feels seen and heard.
One way soldiers can achieve relational authenticity is through rituals like sharing stories about their lives before joining the military or discussing their hopes and dreams for the future. By creating shared experiences and memories, they establish a foundation for trust and intimacy. Soldiers may also engage in physical activities together, such as running or lifting weights, which builds camaraderie and helps them release tension.
To sustain relational authenticity, vulnerability, and intimacy requires effort and intentionality. It means setting aside time for meaningful conversations and prioritizing connection over task completion. It involves being willing to take risks by opening up emotionally and allowing oneself to be vulnerable.
It requires an attitude of gratitude for the sacrifices others make and a commitment to strengthening interpersonal bonds even when the situation is challenging.
How do soldiers sustain relational authenticity, vulnerability, and intimacy under high-stakes conditions?
"Research has shown that soldiers experience strong bonds of trust, loyalty, and camaraderie with their comrades despite difficult circumstances due to factors such as shared experiences, trauma, risk exposure, stress, and close quarters living (Campbell & O'Neill, 2016). This can lead to an increased sense of authenticity, vulnerability, and intimacy among members of military units.