Soldiers often have multiple emotional needs that they must balance while serving their country. These can include feelings of loyalty, patriotism, duty, courage, fear, anger, and sadness.
They also need to follow strict rules and regulations set by their commanders and military culture, which may conflict with some of these personal feelings.
A soldier may feel sad about leaving his family behind, but he must focus solely on completing his mission without distraction.
Soldiers are expected to remain professional even in dangerous situations, which may require suppressing emotions such as panic or rage. In this article, we will explore strategies that enable soldiers to reconcile these conflicting demands.
Mental preparation
One strategy for reconciling emotional needs with hierarchical expectations is mental preparation. Before entering combat, soldiers undergo extensive training to prepare themselves physically, mentally, and emotionally. This includes learning how to control their emotions during stressful situations and stay focused on the task at hand. Training exercises often involve simulated combat scenarios where soldiers are exposed to various dangers and challenges. By practicing in a safe environment, soldiers learn how to manage their fears and anxieties, allowing them to perform better when faced with real-life threats.
Emotional awareness
Another strategy is being aware of one's own emotions and those around them. Soldiers need to understand their own feelings and why they experience them in order to effectively regulate them. They should also be able to read the emotions of others and respond appropriately to build trust and cohesion within their unit. Awareness helps soldiers recognize when it is necessary to express certain emotions (e.g., grief) and when to suppress them (e.g., anger).
Soldiers might share personal stories or listen to music to relieve stress before a mission.
Positive thinking
Positive thinking can help soldiers remain motivated despite difficult circumstances. This involves believing that good things will happen and focusing on what they can control rather than dwelling on negative thoughts. Positive thinking can be encouraged through daily affirmations, visualization exercises, and other techniques. It helps soldiers maintain mental resilience and focus on completing their missions successfully.
Teamwork
Teamwork plays an essential role in military operations. Working together requires cooperation, mutual support, and understanding between members of different ranks. This enables soldiers to rely on each other for support, both emotionally and physically. By working as a team, soldiers can stay focused on achieving common goals without becoming overwhelmed by individual concerns.
Team building exercises like outdoor activities and bonding events promote camaraderie and create a strong sense of belonging.
Professionalism
Professionalism is crucial for maintaining discipline and respect in the military. Soldiers must learn to follow orders without question, even if they conflict with personal beliefs or desires. They need to separate their emotional needs from their professional responsibilities and prioritize accomplishing tasks over expressing feelings. Professionalism also means recognizing and addressing conflicts within the unit while remaining neutral in personal relationships.
Soldiers might refrain from discussing politics or religion in order to avoid potential conflict.
Soldiers face many challenges reconciling their emotional needs with hierarchical, cultural, and operational expectations. Mental preparation, emotional awareness, positive thinking, teamwork, and professionalism are all strategies that enable them to balance these demands effectively. By practicing these strategies regularly, soldiers can remain emotionally healthy, focused, and effective during combat.
What strategies enable soldiers to reconcile emotional needs with hierarchical, cultural, and operational expectations?
Soldiers have several strategies that can help them reconcile their emotional needs with the demands of their jobs. One strategy is to establish personal boundaries, which means setting limits on what they are willing to do for work and refusing to engage in activities that go against their values or beliefs. Another strategy is to develop a support network of friends, family, or colleagues who understand their experiences as a soldier and provide emotional support when needed.