Mechanisms that enable soldiers to maintain their relationship identities while deployed include social media, email, phone calls, video chats, written letters, gifts, photos, and physical items such as clothes, jewelry, or memorabilia. These methods help keep couples connected and prevent them from feeling isolated during deployments.
Social Media
Social media is an important tool for preserving relationships when one person is away from home. Soldiers can post pictures and updates about their experiences abroad, which keeps their partners informed and engaged. It also provides opportunities to communicate instantly, even if they are far apart. Some apps allow users to share videos and voice messages, making it easier for soldiers to hear each other's voices and see their faces.
Email is another way for deployed soldiers to stay in touch with their significant others. They can send regular emails updating their partner on what they've been doing, sharing news, stories, and updates. This helps the person back home feel more involved in their life and less lonely without them around. Email allows people to express themselves fully, including writing longer messages and adding attachments like photos or videos.
Phone Calls
Phone calls are a popular method of communication between deployed soldiers and their loved ones. They provide a direct line of contact, allowing both parties to talk freely and openly.
Phone bills can be expensive, so this method may not be affordable for all. Many units have access to free phones on base that they can use to make calls, but these may only work within specific countries or regions.
Video Chat
Video chat is a great option for couples who miss being together physically. Skype, Zoom, FaceTime, and similar programs let people see each other while talking, making conversations feel more intimate. Visual cues help convey emotions, and seeing each other's expressions makes communication more engaging. There are even mobile apps designed specifically for military personnel, such as "Together" or "MilitaryCupid," which offer video chat features.
Written Letters
Written letters are a classic way of keeping in touch during deployments. Handwritten notes allow partners to connect through words alone, without distractions from technology or visual clutter. Writing letters requires concentration, meaning it's also an effective way to communicate deeply. It provides a tangible reminder that the soldier is thinking about their partner and missing them.
Gifts
Sending gifts is another way to keep relationships strong when one person is away. Small items like homemade cards, care packages, or personalized gifts show thoughtfulness and attention to detail. These gestures strengthen connections by demonstrating how much the deployed soldier cares.
Physical objects provide sensory stimulation and create a sense of presence.
Photos and Memorabilia
Photos and memorabilia serve as physical representations of love between two people. Soldiers can take pictures with friends or family members at their bases or send photos home. They can also collect mementos like flags, coins, or keepsakes from their deployments, which serve as reminders of their experiences. These things bring comfort when partners are apart and make long-distance relationships feel closer.
Soldiers can use various methods to maintain their relationship identities while deployed, including social media, email, phone calls, video chats, written letters, gifts, and physical items. By staying connected, they can reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, keeping their relationships healthy and vibrant even when miles apart.
What mechanisms allow soldiers to preserve relational identity despite continuous deployment?
Relationship preservation during continuous deployment can be achieved by utilizing three main strategies: maintaining routines, cultivating social support systems, and staying connected through technology. Firstly, soldiers may keep up with their regular habits at home as much as possible, such as maintaining exercise regimes, reading books or magazines, watching movies, etc. , which helps them feel familiar and comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings.