Soldiers have to face many challenges while serving their country. They are often deployed to dangerous areas where they must deal with intense situations that can cause them to feel stressed out and traumatized. This prolonged stress can affect their mental health and make it difficult for them to build strong relationships with others. Relational competence is an important skill that helps individuals establish meaningful connections with people around them. It involves understanding oneself and being able to communicate effectively with others. When soldiers rebuild this competence after experiencing operational stress, there are several steps they need to take.
Soldiers should acknowledge the impact of the stress on their life and relationships. They must be honest about how the experience has affected them mentally and emotionally. This includes identifying negative feelings such as guilt, shame, anger, fear, and sadness. By acknowledging these emotions, they can begin to understand why they may struggle to connect with others.
Soldiers should seek professional help from trained professionals who specialize in treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or other psychological issues related to military service. Counseling or therapy sessions can provide a safe space for soldiers to work through their emotional pain and identify coping mechanisms that will help them improve their relational skills. Therapists can also offer techniques for managing anxiety, depression, and other symptoms that may interfere with social interactions.
Soldiers should practice communication skills that will enhance their ability to build trust and intimacy. Effective communication involves active listening, empathy, and nonverbal cues such as eye contact and body language. Soldiers can start by practicing these skills during everyday conversations with friends and family members. They can also join support groups where they can share experiences and learn from others who have gone through similar situations.
Soldiers can rebuild relational competence by spending time alone and engaging in self-reflection. This allows them to get to know themselves better and discover what makes them feel happy, fulfilled, and contented. It is essential to prioritize oneself and take care of personal needs before attempting to form relationships with others. Time alone can also give soldiers the clarity they need to make good decisions about whom they want to be around and how they want to interact with those people.
Building strong relationships requires self-awareness, effective communication, and support from others. By taking steps to address prolonged operational stress, soldiers can regain relational competence and connect meaningfully with loved ones.
How do soldiers rebuild relational competence when prolonged operational stress has eroded prior emotional skills?
When soldiers return from combat operations, they may find themselves struggling with their relationships due to various reasons such as changes in lifestyle, exposure to traumatic events, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Prolonged operational stress can cause soldiers to become more aggressive, angry, and detached, which may negatively impact their interpersonal relationships.