In military service, individuals from various social strata, cultures, ethnicities, and religions come together to protect their country's borders. This union may be challenging due to different backgrounds and experiences that lead to clashes between them during critical times.
When they face a common enemy, these differences are set aside, and they become comrades who must work together for survival. In this article, I will explain how shared external danger affects bonding among these diverse individuals and how it leads to deeper connections.
External Danger: The Common Enemy
The first point to consider is the presence of an external threat such as war, natural disasters, or terrorist attacks. When these threats arise, soldiers must unite against the enemies, putting aside their personal agendas and cultural differences. They focus on the mission, which requires them to act quickly, communicate effectively, and understand each other's strengths. These factors create a sense of camaraderie and friendship that goes beyond what they had before joining the army. As they fight for freedom and justice, they learn to trust one another and form a strong unit. Without this common goal, there would be no need for these individuals to interact and create lasting bonds. Thus, the presence of a common enemy is crucial in bringing people with opposing views together.
Bonding Through Shared Suffering
Another factor that influences bonding among soldiers is shared suffering. During battles, members experience similar hardships such as injury, fatigue, hunger, thirst, and trauma from seeing death and destruction. They support each other emotionally by encouraging, comforting, and caring for those who suffer injuries. This action creates a deep connection between them because they feel they have someone else's back when life seems hopeless. It may also lead to mutual understanding as they realize that everyone has weaknesses and vulnerabilities. By supporting each other during difficult times, soldiers develop a deep emotional attachment that can extend beyond the battlefield.
Overcoming Cultural Barriers
In addition to being under fire, military personnel may come from different cultures with distinct beliefs and values.
When they are faced with a threat, they must set aside these differences and work together toward a common goal.
Muslim soldiers may not agree with Christian ones regarding religion, but they put their faith on hold to achieve the mission. The same applies to individuals from different ethnicities or races who may have conflicting opinions about race relations. When they work towards a common objective, they become more open-minded and tolerant, leading to a deeper appreciation of cultural diversity.
Shared external danger brings diverse military service members together, breaking down social barriers and creating deeper connections. This effect goes beyond physical combat and affects interpersonal relationships in daily interactions. Thus, it is crucial for governments to create an environment where soldiers see themselves as one team instead of independent individuals competing against one another. This approach helps build a strong army ready to face any challenge, whether at home or abroad.
How does the presence of shared external danger influence the depth and speed of bonding among service members with otherwise incompatible personalities or backgrounds?
The presence of shared external danger can lead to an increased sense of camaraderie and closeness between individuals regardless of their previous differences in personality or background. This is because when people are faced with a dangerous situation together, they tend to focus on survival and working together towards a common goal, which can create a strong sense of connection and teamwork.