Soldiers are trained to be disciplined and follow strict rules and regulations.
Despite these restrictions, they still have personal needs and desires, such as the desire for companionship, friendship, and even romance. This can create tension between their professional duties and their personal lives, particularly when it comes to maintaining emotional connections with others. In this article, we will explore how soldiers reconcile the psychological need for emotional connection with institutional norms that discourage fraternization and vulnerability.
Soldiers typically spend long periods away from their families and loved ones, which can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness. To combat these feelings, many soldiers develop close bonds with fellow soldiers, often forming tight friendships or even romantic relationships. These connections provide a sense of belonging and support that is essential for mental health and wellbeing.
These connections can also present challenges, as soldiers must navigate the boundaries between their personal and professional lives.
One way that soldiers can manage this tension is through compartmentalization. They may separate their personal lives from their professional lives, keeping their emotions and relationships out of work, but this can be difficult to do in close quarters.
Some institutions may frown upon fraternization and other displays of emotion, making it difficult for soldiers to express themselves fully.
Some soldiers may find ways to connect without violating institutional norms, such as through online communication or by sharing stories and experiences. Others may seek out non-romantic relationships, such as platonic friendships or mentor/mentee relationships, that allow them to build meaningful connections while still following the rules. Still, others may choose not to pursue any kind of relationship at all, focusing instead on their military obligations and duties.
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for managing the tension between emotional needs and institutional expectations. Each soldier must find their own balance between personal and professional life, and this process can be both challenging and rewarding. By understanding the factors that contribute to this tension and learning how to navigate them, soldiers can maintain healthy relationships and fulfilling careers.
How do soldiers reconcile the psychological need for emotional connection with institutional norms that discourage fraternization and vulnerability?
Soldiers may experience conflicting feelings when it comes to connecting emotionally with others while also following military protocols that discourage fraternization and vulnerability. On one hand, they crave meaningful relationships with their comrades but are often taught to keep their personal lives private and professional. This can create tension as they try to balance their individual needs for connection with institutional expectations of stoicism and self-sufficiency.