Military life is highly stressful for both partners. It requires significant sacrifices, frequent moves, extended separations, and unpredictable schedules that can take a toll on any relationship.
Many military couples have found ways to overcome these challenges and maintain strong bonds even during periods of deployment or high levels of stress. In this article, I will discuss some effective strategies for keeping your military relationship healthy and happy.
One important strategy for maintaining relational satisfaction despite rapid redeployments is communication. Both partners should be open and honest about their feelings, needs, concerns, and desires. This includes talking about what you need from each other when you are apart and how you would like to stay connected while one partner is deployed. You may also want to create a plan for how often you will communicate and how you will do so, whether it's through email, text messaging, phone calls, or video chats. Be sure to set aside specific times for these conversations so they don't become sporadic or feel forced. Another helpful approach is to schedule regular date nights, either in person or virtually, where you can connect as if the other were still there.
Another critical factor is trust. Trust is essential in all relationships, but especially in those subjected to the stresses of military life. Each partner must know that they can count on the other to honor their commitment and remain faithful even when separated by thousands of miles. This means being transparent with each other and avoiding secrets or lies. It also involves understanding that your partner has unique experiences and emotions while away and respecting them rather than taking them personally or criticizing them.
In addition to communication and trust, active listening is crucial. Active listening means truly paying attention to what your partner says without interrupting, judging, or reacting defensively. This allows each person to feel heard and understood, which fosters intimacy and connection. When someone feels heard and understood, they are more likely to express themselves honestly and vulnerably, leading to greater closeness and understanding.
Finding ways to support each other during difficult periods helps maintain relational satisfaction despite rapid redeployments. This might involve sending care packages, writing letters or emails, making phone calls at random times to surprise one another, or creating a family tradition that includes the absent partner. Showing support and affection through small gestures like these goes a long way toward keeping the relationship strong.
By following these strategies, military couples can weather the challenges of deployment and stay connected and satisfied with one another. With patience, openness, and effort, any military couple can keep their love alive, no matter how frequently they have to say goodbye.
What strategies enable military couples to maintain relational satisfaction despite rapid redeployments?
Despite the stress of frequent deployments and lengthy separations from their loved ones, military couples have been able to remain happy and satisfied with their relationships because they actively seek out opportunities for quality time together when they are apart and make an effort to communicate regularly during separation. They also engage in activities that help them cope with the stresses of deployment such as exercise, meditation, or socializing with friends and family members.