Soldiers are required to perform their duties under pressure, risking their lives for their country's safety. This is why they must be able to overcome many challenges and adverse conditions that would make it difficult to keep up their morale and mental stability. Operational stress is one such factor that can cause major upsets in the way they relate to each other while working together. Communication plays an important role in keeping them satisfied with each other even when they have to face operational stress. In this article, you will know how soldiers maintain relational satisfaction when operational stress disrupts routine communication.
Soldiers can communicate through various means including physical, verbal, and nonverbal forms. Nonverbal communication involves body language, facial expressions, gestures, posture, touch, eye contact, etc. When it comes to managing relational satisfaction during operational stress, the main challenge is to maintain this type of communication. Physical separation from loved ones makes it hard for soldiers to sustain intimacy with them because they cannot show affection or display love.
When they work together as a team, they need to find ways to express themselves without breaking down emotionally.
If two people who were close before an operation start working together again after the stressful event, there may be tension between them. Non-verbal cues help in such situations because they convey emotions without uttering words. Smiling at someone is a gesture of respect and appreciation. Holding hands shows support and care. Shaking hands symbolizes trust and confidence. Touching another soldier on the back or shoulder is a sign of approval. These types of non-verbal cues help soldiers build relationships and maintain relational satisfaction despite being under pressure.
As far as verbal communication is concerned, soldiers rely heavily on text messaging, emails, letters, phone calls, video chats, and instant messages. It allows them to keep in touch with their families while they are away on duty but also provides them with a way to stay connected with each other. Verbal communication is more effective than non-verbal because it helps soldiers resolve conflicts faster. They can talk about what went wrong, why they felt angry or sad, how to fix things, and so on. This builds up trust among comrades and enhances their bond. The military encourages open communication by providing opportunities for discussion sessions where soldiers can air out their grievances and listen to others' views. Leaders can help by setting an example by sharing their own experiences during difficult times to motivate others and promote a positive environment.
The most important thing that soldiers should do when facing operational stress is to acknowledge that everyone goes through similar challenges. Acknowledging this will not only increase understanding but also make people feel valued and supported. Soldiers who feel appreciated tend to be more loyal towards their teammates and want to work together better. Communication plays a crucial role here too. When there is no physical contact, written words become powerful tools for conveying love and appreciation. Writing notes, sending flowers, or leaving small gifts for loved ones shows care and affection. Similarly, leaders must show respect to their subordinates by giving credit where it is due. Recognizing good performance boosts morale and makes the workplace feel like home even if they are deployed far from home.
Relational satisfaction among soldiers depends heavily on communication. Whether it's verbal, physical, or non-verbal, maintaining communication during operational stress is essential to keep them connected emotionally with each other. Expressing feelings through words or body language can help soldiers overcome emotional barriers created by distance or separation from families. It creates bonds of trust and mutual respect within teams that would otherwise break down under pressure.
Acknowledging difficulties faced by everyone helps build comraderie between individuals which further enhances relationships in the long run.
How do soldiers maintain relational satisfaction when operational stress disrupts routine communication?
Soldiers can maintain relational satisfaction when operational stress disrupts routine communication through various methods such as staying connected with their loved ones, seeking support from fellow comrades, finding ways to de-stress themselves, being honest about their feelings, and recognizing the importance of communication in maintaining relationships.