As soldiers are deployed to various parts of the world for missions that may last weeks or months, it can be difficult to maintain positive mental health. They face numerous stressors such as being away from loved ones, physical injuries, traumatic experiences, isolation, and loneliness. These factors can impact their ability to connect with others, which is essential for building trust and supporting one another. Here are some ways soldiers can build trust and support while apart:
1. Establishing clear communication channels - Soldiers should keep in touch regularly through phone calls, emails, video chats, letters, and social media. This helps them feel connected to each other and reduces feelings of loneliness. Regular communication allows them to share thoughts, feelings, experiences, and concerns without delay. It also helps them stay up-to-date on mission progress, current events, and life updates.
2. Showing gratitude and appreciation - Soldiers can show appreciation for their comrades' efforts and sacrifices by sending cards, care packages, and gift cards. These gestures demonstrate care and concern for their wellbeing, reinforcing their trust and support. Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can boost morale and improve relationships.
3. Keeping track of each other's lives - Soldiers who know what their colleagues are doing at home feel more connected to them. Sharing photos, stories, and updates about family, friends, hobbies, and interests helps them see beyond the military context and deepen their bonds. It also provides common ground for conversation when they reunite after deployment.
4. Creating shared memories - Military culture values camaraderie, teamwork, and brotherhood/sisterhood. By creating shared experiences such as training exercises, missions, or celebrations, soldiers can bond over positive memories that last beyond deployments. They may even create inside jokes or traditions that strengthen their connection.
5. Supporting one another during challenges - When soldiers face difficulties, they need to turn to their comrades for encouragement, advice, and assistance. This includes physical injuries, mental health issues, relationship problems, financial struggles, or family crises. Soldiers should be there for each other through thick and thin, reminding them they have a network of people who care about their well-being.
6. Focusing on mission goals - Deployed soldiers must stay focused on their objectives while maintaining personal connections with their comrades. This requires discipline, commitment, and collaboration. They can rely on one another to achieve success in complex operations, making it easier to build trust and support.
7. Celebrating victories together - Whether it's completing a difficult task, overcoming adversity, or achieving a goal, soldiers should take time to appreciate their accomplishments. This builds confidence and motivation, reinforcing their sense of purpose and belonging within the group.
8. Honoring those who are gone - In military culture, honoring fallen soldiers is essential for preserving their legacy and keeping their memory alive. Soldiers can participate in ceremonies, tributes, or commemorations to honor their sacrifice and show appreciation for their service. This creates a strong sense of community and shared values, strengthening relationships among surviving comrades.
9. Prioritizing self-care - While deployed, soldiers may struggle with sleep deprivation, stress, anxiety, depression, or PTSD symptoms. It's crucial to prioritize self-care by practicing healthy habits such as exercise, nutrition, mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and socialization. These activities promote resilience, boost mood, improve mental health, and prevent burnout.
10. Seeking help when needed - When soldiers experience emotional or psychological distress, they need to seek help from their unit leaders, chaplains, medical professionals, or family members. Military resources offer counseling, therapy, medication, and referral services to address mental health concerns. Soldiers should not hesitate to reach out for assistance if necessary.
By building trust and support through these strategies, soldiers can maintain positive relationships despite frequent deployments. This improves morale, collaboration, and effectiveness during missions while promoting long-term wellbeing.
How do soldiers sustain trust and support amid constant deployments?
Although it may seem difficult at first glance, soldiers are able to sustain their trust and support among themselves through various means. One of these is by maintaining a strong sense of camaraderie and teamwork within their units. This involves spending time together outside of combat situations and forming tight bonds that can withstand even the most difficult circumstances.