Soldiers are often exposed to horrific events that can leave them scarred for life. Shared experiences like war and combat can lead to strong emotional bonds between soldiers who rely on each other for support and protection. These bonds can also be manifested through sexual interactions.
These bonds may also have negative effects on soldiers' personal lives and romantic relationships after they return home from deployment.
Shared Trauma:
The military is a brotherhood where soldiers share many experiences together, such as deployments, training exercises, and deployments. The intensity of these shared traumas creates deep emotional connections between soldiers, which manifest in various ways. One way is through intense physical closeness, including sexual intimacy. This closeness occurs due to a sense of trust built up during shared experiences. When soldiers go to battle together, they form a special bond. They become family, and it is natural to want to express their love and affection for one another through physical touch and sex.
Sexual Bonds:
During wartime, soldiers must rely on each other for survival and safety. Soldiers experience extreme fear, stress, and trauma, leading to adrenaline rushes that make them feel alive. This feeling intensifies when they work closely with someone else under such conditions. It can create an intense desire for sexual intimacy with this person. Many soldiers find themselves drawn to each other physically while on duty because of the heightened sensations of danger.
Some soldiers may use these feelings to escape from reality by engaging in risky behaviors like extramarital affairs or one-night stands. Others may turn to substance abuse or self-harm. Sexual activity becomes a coping mechanism instead of something positive or enjoyable.
Emotional Bonds:
Soldiers who have been exposed to shared trauma often struggle with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and other mental health issues after returning home. These problems can affect their relationships outside the military as well.
Veterans may feel distant from their spouses or partners due to flashbacks and nightmares related to combat experiences. They may have difficulty communicating their emotions effectively or engaging in emotionally intimate conversations. Some veterans might even avoid being around people altogether out of fear of re-experiencing past horrors.
Returning Home:
When soldiers return home from deployment, it is crucial to address any underlying issues before starting new relationships.
Many don't receive adequate treatment for PTSD or other mental health disorders. As a result, they may turn to drugs or alcohol to cope with their symptoms.
If they cannot express themselves emotionally without resorting to sex, they may seek physical intimacy with others rather than seeking therapy or support groups. This can lead them into risky situations that further damage their personal lives.
Shared trauma among soldiers can create strong bonds between soldiers during wartime. These bonds are often expressed through sexual intimacy, but these relationships can be detrimental when not addressed properly. Veterans must seek help to manage their symptoms and communicate openly about their feelings instead of suppressing them.
How does shared trauma affect the formation of sexual or emotional bonds among soldiers?
Shared traumas such as combat experiences can lead to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression, which are risk factors for difficulties forming stable relationships with others (Goldstein et al. , 2018).