Soldiers have an essential job to protect their country from external threats. They are taught to be disciplined and organized, follow strict rules and regulations, and act according to orders.
They are also human beings who need to maintain healthy relationships and connect with others. This poses a unique challenge when it comes to balancing relational transparency, strategic concealment, and emotional authenticity. Relational transparency refers to sharing personal information about one's life with others openly without fear of judgment or rejection. Strategic concealment involves keeping certain aspects of one's life private for tactical reasons such as security or mission effectiveness. Emotional authenticity means expressing feelings honestly and authentically, even if they may cause discomfort or pain. In this article, we will explore how soldiers navigate these three elements within their relationships while serving their country.
Relationships between soldiers can take many forms, including romantic partnerships, friendships, and family connections. Soldiers must balance the desire to share intimate details of their lives with the need to keep some things secret for military purposes.
They might share that they miss home but not reveal where they are stationed or what missions they are involved in. This allows them to maintain the trust of those around them while still being able to serve effectively.
Soldiers need to be emotionally honest with each other without oversharing sensitive information like personal traumas or secrets. They must learn to gauge when it is appropriate to share and when it is best to keep something private.
Strategic concealment is necessary for soldiers to avoid putting themselves or others at risk. When it comes to relationships, this can mean hiding details about their work or training schedules, locations, or operations. It also requires careful consideration when discussing emotions; for instance, a soldier who feels stressed or anxious about an upcoming deployment may choose to downplay it rather than divulging too much information.
Emotional authenticity is critical for building healthy relationships. Soldiers must be willing to express their feelings openly and honestly without fear of judgment. This can help them build strong bonds with friends, family, and loved ones despite distance or separation.
Finding the right balance between relational transparency, strategic concealment, and emotional authenticity can be challenging for soldiers. It requires self-awareness, communication skills, and understanding of others' needs. By learning how to navigate these complexities, soldiers can build meaningful relationships while serving their country.
How do soldiers balance relational transparency, strategic concealment, and emotional authenticity?
Soldiers are expected to maintain two contradictory sets of values regarding their relationships with others. On one hand, they must be honest and transparent about what they feel and experience; on the other hand, they must also hide critical information for the sake of safety and security. This can create an internal conflict that requires them to find a balance between these opposing demands. While soldiers may strive for complete honesty and openness in their relationships, it is often impossible due to operational requirements.