Tension Between Obedience and Personal Privacy
Soldiers are trained from childhood to obey orders unquestioningly. They are expected to follow their superiors' commands without hesitation and never question authority figures. This culture of obedience is essential for the smooth functioning of military operations but can conflict with the need for personal privacy. Soldiers must balance these two competing demands when it comes to matters such as romantic and sexual relationships. While they may want to protect their privacy, they also have to consider the consequences of breaking rules that could affect the mission's success.
Examples of Conflicts
One example of this tension is soldiers' relationships with civilians. Many countries prohibit relationships between their troops and local people, especially if they are from different ethnic groups.
Some couples still manage to form strong bonds despite these restrictions. In Afghanistan, for instance, American soldiers were forbidden to fraternize with Afghan women but still did so secretly. If caught, they risked being court-martialed.
Another example is the use of social media. Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram allow soldiers to connect with friends and family back home. Still, many militaries have strict policies governing how much information about their activities they can share online.
In the US Army, soldiers cannot post photos or videos of themselves on social media during deployments. Violating this rule can result in disciplinary action or even discharge from service.
Coping Strategies
Soldiers find ways to cope with this tension by setting boundaries and maintaining a sense of control over their lives. They learn to keep private information offline and limit what they share publicly. Some create separate profiles or accounts for their military and civilian lives. Others keep sensitive information hidden behind password-protected walls.
Some soldiers turn to creative solutions, such as creating code words or using pseudonyms when communicating online. They may also engage in risky behavior to avoid detection, such as meeting up with civilians in remote locations or using encrypted messaging apps.
This approach carries its own set of dangers, including the potential discovery and punishment.
Balancing obedience and personal privacy requires self-control, discipline, and understanding of the consequences of breaking rules. Soldiers must weigh the pros and cons of each decision carefully and accept that sometimes sacrifices must be made for mission success.
How do soldiers manage the tension between obedience and the desire to protect personal privacy?
Soldiers are required to follow orders without asking questions or disobeying them in order to maintain military discipline and safety. This can create a conflict between their individuality and need for autonomy, as well as their loyalty to their fellow soldiers and duty to their country. They may also feel conflicted about the morality of certain actions they are ordered to perform or witness on the battlefield.