Soldiers are usually deployed for weeks to months away from their families, which can cause issues with their mental health and personal lives. This is because they experience loneliness and miss home. To make up for this, they may develop intimate relationships with fellow soldiers, but these interactions might be different than normal intimacy. Soldiers need to learn how to communicate and build intimacy despite being apart.
Communication and Intimacy Strategies for Prolonged Deployment
Prolonged deployments can lead to communication challenges that affect both individuals' mental health and relationships. Here are some strategies soldiers can use to stay connected while apart.
1. Communication Technology: Soldiers should explore all available communication technologies, such as phone calls, video chats, text messaging, email, social media, etc. They should try new ones to find what works best for them. Phone calls allow for real-time communication, while written messages give more time to think and respond thoughtfully. Video chat is great for seeing faces and nonverbal cues, but it requires good internet connection. Social media allows sharing pictures, updates, and daily moments.
2. Scheduled Communication Times: Establishing set times to communicate can help keep a routine.
Every Sunday at noon, or after work on Friday. It helps partners prepare mentally and ensures consistent interaction.
3. Active Listening: Soldiers should actively listen and ask questions to show interest in their partner's life. Talk about hobbies, goals, dreams, problems, feelings, plans, etc. Avoid distractions and focus fully on the conversation.
4. Reassurance: Provide reassurance by expressing love and support regularly. Send small gifts or notes to let your partner know you care.
5. Visual Reminders: Create visual reminders of home, like photos, artwork, or music. These can be comforting when missing home.
6. Emotional Support: If possible, have another family member or friend provide emotional support during deployment. They can talk through issues and offer advice.
7. Sexual Needs: Discuss sexual needs with your partner beforehand. Use erotic videos, photos, or sexting to stay connected sexually. But remember that these cannot replace physical intimacy.
8. Patience: Understand that deployments are temporary and that things will return to normal once soldiers come back home. This helps both partners feel secure in their relationship.
Prolonged deployments require soldiers to adapt communication and intimacy strategies to stay connected with loved ones. By using technology, scheduling regular communication times, actively listening, showing reassurance, creating visual reminders, seeking emotional support, exploring sexual needs, and being patient, soldiers can maintain healthy relationships despite being apart. Remember that deployments are temporary, and life will eventually return to normal.
How do soldiers adapt communication and intimacy strategies during prolonged deployment cycles?
Soldiers face several challenges when maintaining communication and intimacy with their partners during prolonged deployments. They have to adjust their relationships and find new ways of staying connected while being physically separated for extended periods. Communication is crucial in keeping the relationship strong and maintaining intimacy. Soldiers may use technology such as Skype, email, or social media to stay in touch regularly with their partners.