The term "reconciliation" is often used in military parlance to refer to the process of bringing opposing parties together after a conflict has occurred.
It can also be applied to the relationship between soldiers and their social environment, where there are competing demands for both loyalty to unit and personal expression of identity. Reconciling these conflicting forces requires careful consideration of several factors, including gender, rank, culture, and historical context.
One must consider the ways in which masculinity and femininity play into soldier's behavior. In many cultures, men are expected to be aggressive and violent while women are supposed to be passive and nurturing. This binary view of gender leads to conflicts when male soldiers feel compelled to act tough in order to maintain their status within the group but may experience emotional turmoil from engaging in violence. At the same time, female soldiers may find themselves feeling stifled if they try to conform to traditional gender roles and express their own needs. To reconcile these relational needs, soldiers need to recognize that they are individuals who have unique desires and should be free to explore them without fear of reprisal.
In addition to gender, rank plays an important role in shaping relationships between soldiers. Officers and enlisted personnel occupy different positions within the chain of command and must adhere to strict protocols regarding hierarchy and authority. While officers may enjoy privileges such as more time off or better pay, they may feel isolated from the rank-and-file troops who share similar interests and experiences. Similarly, non-commissioned officers (NCOs) have a duty to lead subordinates but must balance this responsibility with their desire for camaraderie and friendship.
Cultural factors can create additional obstacles to successful reconciliation.
Some societies place greater emphasis on collectivism than individualism, which means that soldiers may feel pressure to prioritize their unit over their personal wellbeing.
Military culture often glorifies violence and sexual conquest, making it difficult for soldiers to express vulnerability or intimacy with one another.
By acknowledging these differences and finding ways to bridge them through communication and mutual respect, soldiers can build stronger bonds and improve unit cohesion.
Achieving reconciliation requires self-awareness, empathy, and openness to change. Soldiers must be willing to examine their own expectations and biases while recognizing the perspectives of those around them. By doing so, they can form meaningful connections that transcend traditional roles and promote a healthier and more inclusive military environment.
What strategies allow soldiers to reconcile relational needs with hierarchical and cultural expectations?
In modern militaries around the world, the need for close relationships is often at odds with the expectation of strict obedience to authority figures. Soldiers are trained to follow orders and conform to certain norms that may not always align with their personal values or beliefs. As such, they must find ways to balance these two seemingly opposing forces if they want to maintain good mental health and well-being while on active duty.