As a soldier, I have experienced both physical and emotional intimacy while serving my country.
The two are often confused for each other due to their similarities. In this article, I will explain how soldiers can tell them apart and focus on building healthy intimate relationships without compromising their duties as warriors.
When it comes to the instrumental function of intimacy, soldiers must be aware that they are only using another person's body for pleasure. This type of intimacy is purely physical and does not involve an emotional connection. It is common among soldiers who engage in casual sex or one-night stands while deployed. The focus is on getting their needs met without developing deeper feelings. Instrumental intimacy allows soldiers to release stress and tension from combat situations, but it lacks depth and meaning. Therefore, it cannot provide long-term satisfaction or fulfillment.
Emotional intimacy, on the other hand, involves sharing thoughts, feelings, and experiences with another person. It requires vulnerability and trust between partners, allowing them to connect emotionally. Soldiers should strive for this kind of intimacy because it promotes communication, understanding, and mutual support. Emotional intimacy also provides comfort during difficult times and fosters strong bonds based on love and respect. While soldiers may feel lonely while away from home, they should seek out companionship from people they care about and develop meaningful connections.
Maintaining emotional intimacy is challenging when a soldier's job requires them to keep secrets and avoid personal disclosure. Maintaining a healthy relationship requires balancing privacy and openness, which is easier said than done. A soldier's life is full of risks, sacrifices, and dangers, so finding someone who understands these difficulties and offers unconditional support is crucial. They need to share their fears, anxieties, and dreams to build closeness and deepen their bond.
Soldiers should prioritize their relationships over physical pleasure by practicing patience, loyalty, and commitment. This means staying in touch even when separated, setting boundaries, and being honest about their needs. Building an emotional connection takes time and effort, but it will pay off in the end.
Soldiers must recognize that physical intimacy without emotional attachment can be harmful and unsatisfying. By focusing on building strong relationships instead, they can find lasting fulfillment and happiness.
Soldiers must learn to differentiate between instrumental and emotional functions of intimacy to create healthy, stable partnerships. Instrumental intimacy is purely sexual and lacks depth, whereas emotional intimacy involves sharing thoughts and feelings. Soldiers should strive for the latter because it promotes communication, understanding, and mutual support while allowing them to connect emotionally with those they love. Maintaining this type of intimacy requires balance, patience, loyalty, and commitment, making it worth the effort.
How do soldiers differentiate between instrumental and emotional functions of intimacy?
Due to the highly unstable nature of warfare and military life, close personal relationships with fellow service members are necessary for both survival and sanity. Therefore, soldiers must be able to distinguish between instrumental and emotional functions of intimacy when forming bonds with other individuals. Instrumental intimacy refers to the functional benefits that arise from close relationships, such as support, protection, and access to resources.