Soldiers are trained to suppress their emotions and feelings during operations so that they can focus on the task at hand without distraction.
This habitual suppression may have adverse effects on their ability to form meaningful connections with others outside of combat situations. When soldiers return home from deployment, they often struggle with reconciling their newfound freedom with the relational openness required for healthy romantic relationships. This dilemma between operational norms and relational openness is common among military personnel who have been deployed multiple times.
One way that soldiers rebuild relational confidence after being discharged from service is through engaging in therapy sessions with a licensed mental health professional specializing in trauma care for veterans. In these sessions, soldiers learn how to recognize and express their emotions in safe spaces while also exploring strategies for managing them more effectively. They gain insight into themselves as individuals and discover what has shaped their views about intimacy and vulnerability.
Another method used by some soldiers involves practicing mindfulness meditation techniques, which involve focusing one's attention on the present moment without judgment or analysis. By training their minds to remain still amidst chaotic thoughts and feelings, soldiers can cultivate greater awareness of their emotional state and better understand what triggers those states. Mindfulness meditation also helps increase self-compassion by teaching individuals how to accept all aspects of themselves—including negative ones—without judgment.
Veterans can explore alternative lifestyles such as polyamory or kink/BDSM (bondage & discipline, dominance & submission, sadism & masochism) communities that prioritize emotional connection over physical pleasure. These communities provide an environment where members learn about consent culture, communication skills, boundaries setting, and trust building; all essential components for successful relationships outside of combat operations. Through these practices, veterans build relational confidence by becoming comfortable with expressing needs honestly rather than suppressing them behind closed doors or within private relationships only.
How do soldiers rebuild relational confidence when operational norms and prior emotional suppression conflict with relational openness?
Soldiers can build relational confidence by actively engaging in their relationships, practicing transparency and vulnerability with loved ones, and working through any underlying issues that may have contributed to past relationship struggles or difficulties. Additionally, seeking support from mental health professionals or joining support groups for veterans can be beneficial in addressing any underlying trauma or anxiety that may impact interpersonal communication.