Relationships are built on communication, trust, understanding, honesty, compromise, support, respect, love, and commitment. When one partner is deployed for an extended period of time, these qualities become even more important to preserve in order to avoid misunderstandings, conflicts, stress, anxiety, or resentment. This article provides several strategies that can be used to maintain relational satisfaction and stability despite repeated deployments and separations.
Couples must communicate openly and honestly about their feelings and expectations regarding the deployment. This includes discussing how long they will be apart, what responsibilities each partner has during that time, and when they can expect to reunite. It also involves expressing any fears or concerns that arise throughout the process. Couples should create a plan for staying in touch while one partner is away, whether through phone calls, emails, text messages, video chats, letters, or care packages. This allows them to share their daily lives and stay connected emotionally.
Partners should try to maintain routines as much as possible. This means continuing with regular activities such as date nights, weekend trips, movie nights, or exercise classes. If this isn't possible, new routines may need to be established, such as daily check-ins, shared hobbies, or virtual game nights. By maintaining a sense of normalcy, partners can feel less isolated and lonely.
Partners must show each other extra support and appreciation during deployments. This might include sending cards, gifts, or care packages, making special meals, watching movies together, or scheduling visits. It also involves offering words of encouragement and praise, being attentive to each other's needs, and actively listening when the other person speaks. Partners should avoid criticizing or judging each other and focus on building up their relationship instead of tearing it down.
Couples should prioritize quality time together whenever possible. This could involve planning trips or vacations after the deployment ends or spending extra time together before the separation begins. They should also make an effort to reconnect physically and emotionally upon reunification. Physical intimacy is important to maintain closeness, but emotional intimacy requires talking openly about feelings, experiences, and goals.
Partners must practice self-care and seek outside support if needed. This could mean taking breaks from communication, exercising regularly, pursuing hobbies or interests, or seeking counseling for personal issues.
Partners should stay in touch with family and friends who can provide emotional and practical support. Seeking help from organizations that cater specifically to military families can be especially helpful.
By following these strategies, couples can preserve their relationships despite repeated separations and deployments. Open communication, regular contact, shared activities, mutual support, physical and emotional intimacy, and self-care are all crucial components of successful long-distance relationships. With patience, understanding, and commitment, couples can weather any challenge and emerge stronger than ever.
What strategies maintain relational satisfaction and stability amid repeated deployments and separations?
Researchers suggest that military couples must adopt certain strategies to maintain relationship satisfaction and stability during frequent separations caused by deployment (Campbell & Anderson, 2013). First, they should establish effective communication patterns, including expressing gratitude for each other's sacrifices. This encourages empathy and understanding between partners, which can help them cope with stressful situations.