Relationship between Soldiers and their Partners
Soldier's Identity Alteration during Military Service
The impact of military service on soldier's sense of identity can be quite significant. When a person joins the army, he/she undergoes various changes that affect his/her character traits, values, beliefs, emotions, and behavior patterns, which sometimes have long-lasting effects. These changes may include increased aggressiveness, decreased communication skills, altered perception of danger, and reduced social connections.
Impact on Relationships
These changes can also affect the soldiers' relationship with their partners in several ways.
They may become less affectionate, less involved in family activities, less interested in spending time together, more irritable, and more distant. They may also show signs of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and anxiety. Such symptoms might lead to marital dissatisfaction, infidelity, violence, or divorce.
Strategies for Sustaining Relational Continuity
To sustain relational continuity despite these challenges, partners need to work hard and employ different strategies. One of them is to maintain regular communication with each other by sharing their experiences, feelings, thoughts, and expectations openly and honestly. This will help both parties understand each other better and build trust, empathy, and closeness.
Mutual Support
Another strategy is to provide mutual support. The partner should be there for the soldier whenever necessary - when he/she comes back from deployment, during reintegration, while dealing with PTSD and other mental health issues, and throughout life. They should support each other's goals and dreams, share responsibilities, and celebrate successes together.
Physical Intimacy
Physical intimacy is another critical aspect of relationships that can suffer due to military service. It helps soldiers feel loved and appreciated, reduces stress levels, and improves sleep quality. Therefore, partners should make an effort to be physically intimate regularly to restore emotional connection and rekindle passion.
Seeking Help
Partners should seek professional help if they face severe relationship problems. A counselor or therapist can assist them in resolving conflicts, building healthier communication patterns, managing stress, and developing coping mechanisms for difficult situations.
Relational continuity between soldiers and their partners requires effort, patience, understanding, and dedication. Both parties must strive to keep the lines of communication open, offer mutual support, prioritize physical intimacy, and seek professional help when needed. With these strategies, they can overcome challenges and maintain a fulfilling relationship despite military service.
How do partners sustain relational continuity when soldiers' sense of identity has been fundamentally altered by military service?
The experience of war often challenges the core of a soldier's identity. Military training transforms them into a different person, one who is equipped with skills and abilities that are sometimes difficult for civilians to comprehend. When returning home from deployment, these veterans may feel disconnected from their previous life and struggle with a sense of confusion about who they have become.