Soldiers often face unique challenges when it comes to maintaining relationships during their service, especially if they are deployed for extended periods of time. Deployment can bring about changes to the dynamics of a relationship that make it difficult to sustain romantic, familial, or platonic bonds over multiple tours of duty. In this article, we will explore how soldiers can maintain relational continuity across successive deployments.
Preparation Before Deployment
Before a soldier deploys, preparations should be made to ensure that their loved ones understand what is coming up and what to expect. This includes setting clear boundaries, establishing regular communication methods, planning for surprises, and ensuring everyone has a plan in place for unexpected events.
1. Set Clear Boundaries
It is important for both partners to set clear boundaries before deployment, including how much contact they want to have while apart. This can include limiting phone calls, emailing, texting, or video chatting, and determining which days of the week they will speak or meet up. By establishing these rules ahead of time, there is less chance for misunderstandings or hurt feelings later on.
2. Establish Regular Communication Methods
Soldiers should discuss with their partner(s) how best to communicate while they are away, whether through emails, texts, letters, or phone calls. This allows them to stay connected without feeling like they are intruding on each other's lives too much. It also gives couples something to look forward to together, as they can anticipate receiving messages from one another.
3. Plan For Surprises
Deployments often come with surprises, such as sudden changes in schedule or new orders. Soldiers need to make sure their family and friends know about these potential disruptions so they can adjust accordingly. Having a contingency plan in place for unexpected situations helps everyone feel more secure and prepared.
4. Ensure Everyone Has A Plan In Place
Soldiers should also create an emergency plan in case something happens while they are deployed that prevents them from communicating. This could be anything from a power outage to a medical emergency at home. Knowing what steps to take if communication fails can help ease anxiety and provide peace of mind for all parties involved.
During Deployment
During deployment, soldiers face many challenges that affect their relationships back home. They must find ways to maintain connection despite the distance and uncertainty.
1. Maintain Contact
Staying in touch with loved ones during deployment is essential for maintaining relational continuity. Even brief check-ins can help reinforce the bond between partners, family members, and close friends. Use whatever communication method works best - email, text, video chat, letter writing - but make sure it happens regularly.
2. Be Patient With Yourself And Others
Deployment can bring up feelings of loneliness, frustration, and grief. Soldiers should be patient with themselves and allow themselves time to process these emotions without feeling guilty or ashamed. The same goes for their loved ones; understanding and empathy go a long way toward making deployments easier on both sides.
3. Stay Focused On Your Relationship
When away from home, soldiers should focus on strengthening their relationship by expressing appreciation and gratitude. Whether through small gestures like sending letters or larger gifts, showing love and support will help keep your partner(s) feeling connected and valued.
4. Keep Track Of Significant Events
Soldiers should try to remember important events happening back home, such as birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, etc., so they can acknowledge them while deployed. This shows you are thinking about your loved one(s), even if you can't be there physically. It also helps create a sense of continuity in the relationship that may otherwise be lacking due to separation.
After Deployment
Returning home after deployment can pose its own challenges for relationships. Reconnecting takes effort, patience, and time.
1. Set New Boundaries
After being apart for extended periods of time, boundaries may need to be renegotiated to accommodate new realities. This includes adjusting how much contact is allowed and what types of communication methods work best. By setting clear expectations upfront, everyone can feel more secure moving forward.
2. Be Patient With Adjustment Periods
It takes time for couples to re-establish intimacy and trust after deployment. Be patient with yourself and each other during this period; allow yourselves to get used to being together again before jumping into intense conversations or activities. This will help avoid misunderstandings and hurt feelings.
3. Focus On The Future Together
Soldiers should focus on their future plans together when possible - vacation ideas, weekend getaways, shared goals - rather than dwelling on past conflicts or disagreements. This creates an optimistic outlook and encourages both partners to move forward positively.
4. Celebrate Reunion
Celebrating reunions can help mark the end of a successful deployment and strengthen the bond between partners. Whether it's a party, dinner date, or just spending quality time together, celebrate your love and appreciation for one another.
By following these steps, soldiers can maintain relational continuity across successive deployments. With preparation, patience, and empathy from all parties involved, military relationships can thrive even in difficult circumstances.
How do soldiers maintain relational continuity across successive deployments?
Most of the time, soldiers rely on their families' support during successive deployments to sustain relational continuity with them. In fact, research has shown that a soldier's family is considered as one of the most crucial factors contributing to his/her well-being while deployed. Family members can provide emotional stability and comfort through phone calls, emails, and video chats.