Soldiers' Guilt and Conflict: Personal Desire vs. Duty
A soldier is someone who serves their country through military service, following orders and taking on responsibilities that may require them to take lives.
They are also human beings with emotions, including love for family members and friends back home, desire for fulfillment outside of military life, and even sexual urges. These needs often come into conflict with their sense of obligation towards their duty to protect their nation from external threats. In this article, I will explore how soldiers process feelings of guilt or conflict related to personal desires versus duty.
The Soldier's Life
As a soldier, one must learn to separate oneself from the civilian world, embracing a lifestyle that requires strict discipline, obedience, and sacrifice. This can lead to a lot of internal tension, as soldiers struggle to balance their own wants and needs against those of their job. They may feel guilty about missing out on important events in their loved ones' lives, such as birthdays, holidays, and graduations. They may also experience an internal conflict between their need for intimacy and affection and their commitment to upholding the values of their profession.
They may find themselves attracted to another soldier, but hesitant to pursue it due to concerns about disrupting unit cohesion or being seen as unprofessional.
Processing Feelings of Guilt or Conflict
Soldiers may handle these conflicting emotions differently depending on their personality, training, and experiences. Some may try to suppress their personal desires completely, focusing solely on their duties and ignoring their emotional needs. Others may seek ways to integrate them into their daily lives, finding creative solutions to express their love and longing for connection while still maintaining their professionalism. Some may even turn to substances or other unhealthy coping mechanisms to numb the pain of feeling torn between two opposing forces.
Soldiers are complex individuals who must navigate difficult emotional terrain when serving their country. It is essential for military leaders and mental health professionals to provide support and resources to help soldiers process their feelings and find healthy ways to manage them. By acknowledging their struggles and providing guidance, we can ensure that our soldiers remain strong and resilient, both personally and professionally.
How do soldiers process feelings of guilt or conflict related to personal desires versus duty?
Soldiers may experience a range of conflicting emotions, including guilt and anxiety, when they must make decisions that go against their personal beliefs or desires in order to fulfill their duties as soldiers. This can be particularly challenging during times of war or other military operations where ethical dilemmas arise, such as choosing between protecting civilians or carrying out orders from superiors.