Soldiers are trained to suppress their emotions for survival during combat. This can make it difficult for them to connect with loved ones back home. They may feel distant from friends and family members who have no idea what they've experienced. Reconnecting requires understanding this distance and learning how to bridge it.
Tactical Emotional Detachment
When soldiers go into battle, they must be able to separate themselves emotionally from the experience. They need to focus on completing their mission and protecting those around them without getting caught up in fear or panic. This is called tactical emotional detachment. It allows them to function effectively under stress and makes it easier to stay alive.
Distance from Loved Ones
Tactical emotional detachment comes at a cost - soldiers often struggle to connect with their loved ones when they return home. They may feel like they don't understand civilian life anymore. They might seem cold or uncaring, even though they love their families deeply. This can create tension between spouses, children, parents, siblings, and other close relationships.
Breaking Down the Barrier
To reconnect with loved ones, soldiers need to recognize the barriers that tactical emotional detachment has created. They need to acknowledge their feelings and express them clearly. They should talk about their experiences openly and honestly, without sugarcoating anything. They may also need to seek professional help if they're having trouble processing their trauma.
Finding Common Ground
Once soldiers start talking about their experiences, they can begin to find common ground with their loved ones. They can discuss shared memories, interests, hobbies, and goals. They can work together to build new connections and strengthen existing ones. By working together as a team, both soldiers and family members can overcome the distance caused by tactical emotional detachment.
Creating Intimacy
Intimacy takes time, effort, and patience. Soldiers must be willing to put in the work to rebuild trust and intimacy with their loved ones. They must be patient with themselves and those around them, recognizing that everyone is going through a difficult adjustment period. With persistence and understanding, they can create a strong bond that will last for years to come.
How do soldiers reinterpret closeness after experiences that required emotional detachment as a coping mechanism?
Many soldiers may experience difficulty reestablishing intimate relationships with family members and friends upon returning from combat due to the need for emotional distance during military service. This can lead to feelings of guilt, anxiety, and isolation, making it difficult to establish trust and intimacy within personal connections. Additionally, some soldiers may have experienced traumatic events that affect their ability to maintain empathy and closeness with others, leading to further challenges in interpersonal communication.