Soldiers are trained to be resilient and show stoicism under pressure and adversity.
They also have an innate need for emotional support and companionship that can interfere with their professional duties. Reconciling these two conflicting needs requires understanding, empathy, and communication. This article explains how soldiers can balance their emotions and duties in different situations.
When facing extreme stress, soldiers may experience high levels of anxiety, fear, sadness, or anger, which can hinder their performance and safety. They must learn to recognize when they need help and seek it from trusted sources such as fellow troops, superiors, counselors, chaplains, or family members. These individuals can provide comfort, guidance, and validation without compromising operational security. Soldiers should open up about their feelings and receive feedback and advice that helps them cope better. In return, they must respect the privacy and autonomy of others and avoid imposing on them.
In difficult circumstances, soldiers may feel alone or isolated due to language barriers, cultural differences, physical separation, or lack of social support. They can overcome this by maintaining strong relationships with teammates, relying on unit cohesion, participating in group activities, or seeking out new friendships. They should keep their promises and demonstrate reliability and loyalty to build trust.
During combat, soldiers' survival instincts kick in, making them prioritize mission objectives over personal concerns. This can lead to guilt, shame, regret, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). To prevent this, they must stay focused on their goals, remember their training, and rely on their comrades for strength and courage. They should also practice self-care strategies like exercise, meditation, therapy, or journaling to process their experiences and relieve tension.
Soldiers must balance emotional needs with professional expectations during downtime. They cannot always be stoic or resilient but can still show compassion and empathy towards others while pursuing hobbies, interests, or romantic relationships. They should set clear boundaries, communicate their needs, and work within the limits of their roles and responsibilities. With effort and understanding, soldiers can maintain emotional well-being and fulfill professional duties simultaneously.
How do soldiers reconcile the need for emotional support with professional expectations of stoicism and resilience?
The reconciliation between the need for emotional support and professional expectations of stoicism and resilience among soldiers can be difficult, as these two factors are often seen as conflicting. Stoicism is typically associated with an individual's ability to suppress their emotions and maintain composure under pressure, while resilience refers to one's capacity to bounce back from adversity and continue functioning effectively despite challenges.