Soldiers are individuals who serve in military organizations to protect national interests through defending borders, deterring aggression, upholding international peace and security, and performing various tasks related to national defense. Deployment is one of the critical aspects of soldier life that exposes them to different challenges and changes that alter their emotional values and internal worldviews. This article will explore how soldiers reconcile their sense of personal identity when deployment experiences shift their emotional values and internal worldview.
When deployed, soldiers undergo several stressors such as isolation from family and friends, separation from loved ones, fear for their lives, high levels of fatigue, traumatic experiences, and exposure to violence. These stressors often trigger psychological disorders like posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, and insomnia. The prolonged exposure to these stressors causes soldiers' emotional values to change. They experience increased anger, paranoia, guilt, shame, and fear while in war zones. Their perspective of the world is also shaped by the realities of war, which may cause a shift in their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors.
They become less trusting of others because they have witnessed betrayal, corruption, and cruelty. They develop more cynical attitudes about the world and humanity because of the atrocities they encounter daily. Some soldiers even question their purpose in life, feeling worthless and hopeless. Others lose faith in religion due to the horrific things they witness, leading to feelings of emptiness and confusion.
To cope with these changes, soldiers adopt various strategies, such as denial or avoidance. They try to suppress or escape thoughts and memories related to combat experiences, often using alcohol, drugs, sex, gambling, or risky behaviors. Other soldiers engage in cognitive restructuring, changing how they view themselves and the world around them. They may redefine their identities based on their military achievements, such as becoming a hero or a leader. This helps them feel important and valued despite their personal struggles.
Some soldiers suffer from identity crisis caused by the shift in emotional values and internal worldview. They struggle to reconcile their previous selves with their current identities, causing conflicts within themselves.
Deployment experiences can alter soldiers' emotional values and internal worldviews, creating conflicts between their pre-deployment self and post-deployment self. To manage this conflict, soldiers use coping mechanisms like denial, avoidance, and cognitive restructuring. These strategies help them deal with the challenges of war but fail to address the underlying issues that cause psychological distress. Reconciling one's sense of identity is essential for healthy soldier development, which requires understanding and accepting oneself fully. Therefore, soldiers should receive adequate mental health support to facilitate this process and improve their overall well-being.
How do soldiers reconcile their sense of personal identity when deployment experiences shift their emotional values and internal worldview?
Soldiers who have been deployed often experience significant shifts in their emotional values and internal worldviews. Deployment can involve intense physical and mental stressors that challenge preexisting beliefs about self and others. These changes may be difficult for soldiers to process, as they can lead to feelings of confusion, dissonance, and fear.