Partners adapt intimacy and communication behaviors to accommodate changing military schedules through three primary mechanisms: planning, preparation, and adaptation. Planning involves anticipating changes and establishing expectations beforehand. Partners may discuss potential changes in advance, set ground rules for how they will interact when one partner is away, and plan special events to look forward to upon return. Preparation entails ensuring that partners are mentally and physically ready for new circumstances. This can involve practicing distance communication techniques such as video chats, writing letters, or sending care packages. Adaptation involves adjusting behavior to cope with unexpected challenges. Partners may seek support from friends, family, or therapists to help manage stress and maintain emotional connections.
Partners must be willing to change their routines, habits, and mindsets to successfully navigate shifting deployments, reassignments, or rotations.
Q&A
Q: How do partners deal with long periods of separation?
A: Separation can be difficult for both partners, so it's important to find ways to stay connected during deployment. This can include phone calls, emails, text messages, video chats, social media, or letter-writing. It's also helpful to establish a regular routine of activities like watching movies together or sharing pictures and stories from the day. Many couples also benefit from keeping a journal or scrapbook to document their time apart.
Partners should try not to compare themselves to other relationships, but focus on being patient, understanding, and forgiving of each other's needs and limitations.
Closing remarks
The transition to new schedules requires effort and flexibility from both partners. By communicating openly, planning ahead, preparing for changes, and adapting when necessary, military partners can remain close despite physical distance.
These behaviors demonstrate commitment to one another, strengthen trust and intimacy, and ensure that everyone involved is supported and happy.
How do partners adapt intimacy and communication behaviors to accommodate shifting deployment schedules, reassignments, or rotations?
When partners are faced with such changes in their relationship dynamics, they may need to reevaluate their expectations of each other and adjust their communication strategies accordingly. They may need to prioritize open and honest dialogue about their needs and desires as individuals and as a couple, as well as maintaining regular contact through phone calls, texts, or video chats when possible.