How to Handle the Hard Times

Military life can be a unique and challenging experience, filled with constant transitions and unforeseen events. This unpredictability can bring about a range of emotions, including grief, loss, and the strain on friendships. Grief is a prevalent emotion within the military community, often emerging due to the many challenges and changes that arise. Whether it's the grief of losing a beloved friend due to relocation, the loss of normalcy during deployments, or missing family events back home, these experiences are a common part of military life. It is important to acknowledge these feelings and the impact they can have on mental health.

Build friendships by finding things you both enjoy

Managing Friendships Amidst Transitions

Building and maintaining friendships is an integral part of coping with military life. Yet, the frequent moves and deployments can strain relationships. Moving to a new location can disrupt friendships, and sometimes it feels easier to withdraw as a means of coping. While it may feel easier to have no friends then to deal with the heartbreak of losing them. It's like they say: Better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved at all" It is vital to invest energy into maintaining friendships and making an effort to stay connected, despite the obstacles. While you may feel like the connection isn't the same across social media. Most likely as soon as you are in the same space again, you will find that you pick up right where you left off.

Moving frequently can be considered a trauma

Coping Mechanisms for Trauma

Trauma is another aspect of military life that many people face, especially during deployments or unexpected events. The best way to handle this is to learn various coping strategies, such as finding a new hobby, focusing on personal growth, or using physical activity as an outlet. It is important to be able to enter "the basement," a metaphor for confronting one's feelings, and then using tools to emerge stronger. What you lean on will be different with each situation that arises. As well as, as you grow and mature as a person you may find something that used to work no longer does, and you will need to learn again how to come out of the basement.

Resources and Support Systems

It’s important to recognize that support is available for those struggling with grief, friendships, or trauma. Many resources exist both within and outside the military community to offer help. Some valuable resources include:

1. Military OneSource: (www.militaryonesource.mil) Provides counseling and support for military members and their families.

2. The National Military Family Association: (https://www.militaryfamily.org/) Offers assistance and advocacy for military families.

3. Deployed Love:(www.deployedlove.org) A supportive organization for military spouses focused on fostering connections and community.

We also recommend seeking resilience training: gaining skills through programs that help manage crises effectively. The MSAN training and other similar courses provide beneficial strategies for overcoming adversity.

Grief, friendship, and trauma are significant aspects of life, especially within the military community. Recognizing these emotions and having strategies to cope with them are crucial for mental wellness. It's beneficial to feel one's emotions, seek help when needed, and harness available resources to foster resilience and support within the broader military community. Embrace challenges and lean on the community for support during tough times. 

For Help and Support

For anyone looking for further guidance, the Deployed Love Team are readily available to assist: reach out through their social media platforms or email them directly for advice and connections. The military community thrives on mutual support and collaboration, ensuring that no one has to navigate these complex emotions alone.

Ashley Brown(Executive Director/Podcast Host): ashleybrown@deployedlove.org Sabrina Johannes (Communications Director/Podcast Host): sabrinajohannes@deployedlove.org