Partners often experience anxiety during their partner's deployment as they worry about their safety and well-being while serving abroad.
Navigating relational recalibration can be even more challenging upon the soldier's return due to various factors such as changes in priorities, emotional needs, or coping strategies. This article will explore how couples can adapt to these shifts and maintain a healthy relationship post-deployment.
Prioritizing Time Together
After a long absence, soldiers may struggle to adjust to civilian life and take time for themselves before focusing on their partners again. It is essential to set boundaries regarding when they need alone time and communicate them effectively to avoid resentment from their partners. Partners should also be patient and understanding during this transition period and allow their loved ones to process their experiences without pressure. Establishing open communication channels, such as regular check-ins and honest feedback, can help prevent misunderstandings and strengthen the connection between both parties.
Understanding Emotional Needs
Deployment can trigger trauma or anxiety that affects one's mental state, which may result in mood swings, irritability, or withdrawal from intimacy. Partners must acknowledge these shifts and offer support through active listening, empathy, and patience. Expressing affectionate gestures like hugs, kisses, or holding hands can remind the soldier of their partner's presence and love, helping alleviate feelings of isolation. It is critical to validate their emotions instead of dismissing them or trying to fix them, as this can lead to further distance and disconnection.
Coping Strategies
Soldiers may develop new coping mechanisms while deployed, such as substance abuse, gambling, or workaholism, that impact their relationships upon returning home. Partners should encourage healthier habits but not force changes too soon or demand accountability. Instead, create a safe space for sharing challenges and offering alternative solutions, such as therapy or group activities.
Establishing trust by showing genuine interest in each other's well-being can promote openness about struggles and progress toward healthier patterns.
How do partners navigate relational recalibration when soldiers' priorities, emotional needs, or coping strategies evolve after deployment?
Partners of deployed military personnel may experience anxiety, worry, loneliness, disconnection, frustration, and sadness. To navigate relational recalibration while their partner is away on deployment, they may need to adjust their expectations about communication and intimacy in the relationship.