Thesis
Throughout the existence of war, there has been a need for servicemen to be able to communicate beyond the simple method of face-to-face. initially, the importance of message exchange was for the execution of military functions; however, newer mediums have extended the boundaries so that military personnel may correspond with their families and loved ones, in shorter time frames and with increased frequency, during separation periods attributed to military assignments. increased communication with those at home during wartime has produced a variety of outcomes with both positive and negative implications.
Problem Statement
Definitions
Understanding the myriad of communication technologies in the context in which they are referenced throughout this Review of Literature, includes: E-mail, or electronic mail, teleconferencing, wherein through use of television, video camera, personal computer or laptop, individuals are able to correspond with one another with visual and audio capabilities (Schrumm et al., 2004) and instant message, also known as 'IM', a written medium for communicating with others (Ramirez & Broneck, 2009). Each of these channels is transmitted through internet connection in synchronous or near-synchronous instance, characterized through real-time delivery and exchange (Ramirez & Broneck, 2009). These outlets are forms of computer-mediated communication, or CMC, which have all been heavily utilized for relation maintenance and immediate contact practices (Ramirez & Broneck, 2009). in addition to technology, there are a few military terms that need to be clearly understood as they are referenced in this review. Military separation can be defined as when servicemen and/or women are divided from their families for the purpose of field or class training, combat tours, peacekeeping efforts and/or disaster response and relief (Burrell, et al., 2006). Similarly, deployment is defined as "a spouse being away from home for thirty days or more on combat, peacekeeping or humanitarian mission" (Burrell, et al., 2006). PTSD, the abbreviation for post-traumatic stress disorder, is a psychological condition that is experienced by many veterans (Rudden, 2009). Lastly, Improvised Explosive Devices, or IEDs, are weapons used by insurgents in modern day warfare that have been particularly prevalent and deadly in the recent Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts (La Bash, et al., 2009).
Current Significance and Topic Relevancy
Approximately 1.5 million United States troops have served in Afghanistan prior to the 2007 and 2010 "troop surges" and there is the possibility continued American military presence. To it, the frequency in and durations of the deployments of servicemen and women have been steadily increasing (Lambert & Morgan, 2009). As of 2008, nearly 70,000 Army soldiers have done at least three tours in Iraq or Afghanistan since the commencement of the conflict and that figure does not account for members of the other Armed Services branches (Lambert & Morgan, 2009). Presently, there are an estimated 1.5 million school-aged children who have at least one, if not both, parents on active military duty is one of the branches of the United States Armed Forces, many of who have been or are eligible to be deployed (Fitsimmons & Krause-Parello, 2009). Research indicates that retention of skilled and well-trained personnel is linked to familial satisfaction and stability, prompting the Army and other branches of the United States Armed Forces to dedicate greater resources and emphasis on military family status, one are of which includes relationship maintenance and communication during separated times (Van Epp et al., 2008).
Relevancy to Communication Research
The availability and use of communication technologies has become a normal part of relational communication; use by military families and the related impacts and outcomes is pertinent to research as military deployment escalates in a technologically-inundated world (Bayum et al. 2007). During 2005, a study comprised of spouses of deployed Army National Guard, wherein roughly 2/3 of the participants had a loved one serving in either Iraq or Afghanistan indicated in their top five responses that dependence on technology to communicate assisted in coping with the separation (Wheeler & Stone, 2009). All respondents in the study mentioned that technology has been employed to feel closer their spouse, specifically use of telephone and internet, with many citing daily use to achieve a greater feeling of connection (Wheeler & Stone, 2009). This data indicates that a relationship exists between new means of communication and military relationship functionality (Schrumm et al., 2004).
Controversial Entities
Conflicting opinion exists as to whether or not relational communication with deployed servicepersons is productive or harmful. On one hand, the profound toll of separation stress on the military spouses has yielded a divorce rate that is significantly higher in veterans than for the civilian population (Lambert & Morgan, 2009). Given that interactive communication media, such as social networks, cell phones and wireless internet access, have become such a normal part of civilian society, the expectation has developed that these technologies will also be available in areas where servicemen and women are deployed (Schrumm et al., 2004). Contrarily, having these mediums available contribute to making wartime realities part of daily life. Spouses and adolescent children, who possess the cognitive understanding of the impact of war, have access to a myriad of news outlets that detail information about war occurrences (Mmari et al., 2008). Unlike the average civilian, loved ones do not have the luxury of ignoring or shutting out war-related news coverage (National Military Family Association, 2009).
Target Audiences for Research
The primary stakeholders for this research are military servicepersons who have employed technology to communicate with loved ones when they are separated to perform military duties (Schramm et al., 2004). Historically, troops wrote letters to family and friends at home; now with the rapid evolution of communication technologies, they are eager to make use of available technologies to maintain their relationships (Schramm et al., 2004). Since the September 11th attacks in 2001, more than 1 million American troops have been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan serving in what has been called the most controversial war since Vietnam (Mmari et al., 2008). The need to know they have the support and care of loved ones through phone calls, e-mails, letters and care packages is paramount for their morale (Rudden, 2009). In addition to the troops and their families, there is justification for this type of research by leaders of the United States Armed Forces to seek out ways of achieving optimal morale, maximizing retention and minimizing military family dissolution (Van Epp et al., 2008).
Lastly, understanding the communication benefits and pitfalls has implications to the entire American society, as service participation ripples beyond immediate families to affect entire communities (Rotter & Boveja, 1999).
Summary of Literature
Throughout times past and in the modern day military climate, the servicemen and women of the United States Armed Forces, their families, friends and loved ones utilize a myriad of communication technologies for a multitude of purposes which yield various effects. It is notable that the kinds of contact technologies available to civilians and military personnel, as well as the portability and accessibility of these media, have developed at and incredible pace and evolved throughout history with exceptional influence on societal, global, political, relational and military communication contexts. These mediums are vital for use by military spouses and families for the purpose of relational maintenance. Using communication media for this purpose yields both positive and negative results during wartime.
Communication, Coping and Stress
Positive and negative implications can be identified when examining the use of communication technologies during a time of military conflict. Favorably, the ability for deployed military personnel and their families to communicate during deployments is beneficial is coping with separation and with overall relational maintenance. Conversely, media coverage of the war and its immediate and constant availability makes the occurrences of war a part of the military relationship dynamics. Coupled with expedited interpersonal communication through technological mediums, military families today become aware of the harsh realities of war which is a contributor to family stress during deployment.
Communicating during a military deployment to war, field training or any number of related military assignments is essential to aid both servicemen and women and their loved ones through times if separation. For example, instant message has been proven to help individuals maintain interpersonal relationships in the workplace and for military personnel the "workplace" includes areas of deployment anywhere in the world (Ramirez & Broneck, 2009). Use of IM and similar communication channels whenever possible allows servicemen and women to express their emotions, discuss their experiences as needed and stay abreast of everyday occurrences of their loved ones, all of which helps them to avoid bottling up negative emotional energy and creates a more positive morale and outlook to their assignment (Rotter & Boveja, 1999). For loved ones, adapting to the culture of military family life can produce favorable outcomes in terms of dealing with separation from loved ones and friends in both a military and civilian context (Mmari et al., 2008).
While communication may be helpful in coping with the separation and stress of deployment, the downside is that it can make the realities of war a family affair. in recent years, the news media has increased coverage of combat stress and mental health disorders, such as PTSD, suffered by those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as stories of violence, domestic violence, suicides and murder involving war veterans (Fitsimmons & Krause-Parello, 2009). Lately there has also been increased media coverage about insurgent use of IEDs which insight fear concerns given that there have been roughly 20,000 military injuries and casualties caused by these weapons (La Bash et al., 2008). While most American citizens can consume war coverage in the media and separate from daily life, members of military families cannot (National Military Family Association, 2009).
For this reason, it is notable that immediate access to communications channels and news media can ultimately contribute to family stress during wartime situations, such as military missions that are being discussed in news or speaking to a loved one via internet returning from a mission in the field. With technologies such as instant messaging and similar internet means, including web-cam, e-mail and social networks, there is a synchronous, "real time" means for military personnel and their immediate families to communicate (Ramirez & Broneck, 2009). With younger generations having increased and more direct exposure to media outlets, children of deployed military personnel are more connected to the coverage of what their parent(s) are involved in and they are more understanding and aware of the significance of wartime deployment (Mmari et al., 2008). Military deployment to war zones has taken a heavy toll on military families, as is proven in that the divorce rate among war veterans is 62% higher than the civilian divorce rate (Lambert & Morgan, 2009).
Evolution of Communication Technologies
The types of communication technologies available to servicemen/women have evolved throughout military history, thus military, personal and family expectations on availability and uses of technologies during wartime has changed. As long as there has been war, military personnel have used whatever technological means were available for the purposes of communicating both for military operations and with loved ones away from the war. With the evolution of communication technologies and their increased accessibility, expectations have increased by military personnel and families alike as to their availability for use. Undoubtedly, today's communication technologies are keeping military families connected.
Throughout American history, wartime military personnel have employed whatever forms of communication technologies that have been available. in the 1700s, General Washington sent paper reports on military progress via messengers on horseback. in modern day warfare, military and civilian commanders can observe red zone operations and activity in synchronously via satellite technology and respond accordingly in real time (Coletta & Feaver, 2006). Throughout history, war has been predominately characterized as a cause of relational isolation from family and loved ones, but technological advancement and accessibility is bridging that isolation gap (Schramm et al., 2004).
Throughout history and notably in today's military, there are elevated expectations about availability of communication technologies for use to communicate with loved ones during deployments. During World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945), military personnel began communicating with loved ones back home by writing letter and delivering them using the United States Postal Service By the 1950s-1970s, during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, there were more two-way communications media were available and employed, particularly the Military Affiliate Radio System, abbreviated as MARS. Today, as the United States Armed Forces are deployed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, there is plethora of interactive media and technology available for communication with loved ones such as E-mail, internet, and wireless or mobile phone devices (Schrumm et al., 2004).
In spite of having both favorable and unfavorable implications, communication technologies have a variety of ways of keeping military families connected despite their physical separation caused by deployment. There is a wide variety of channels for utilization by Armed Forces personnel to maintain consistent communication ranging from more antiquated technologies like the telephone to interactive video conferencing over the web (Rotter & Boveja, 1999). Such technologies allow for deployed spouses and parents to continue their familial roles in some capacity, such as by affording a deployed parent to be virtually present for a parent-teacher conference through computer video streaming on the web (Powers, 2008). Through phone calls, letters, E-mails and care packages, family relationships and traditions are created and maintained during separation (Rudden, 2009).
Keeping Connected
Communication technologies are paramount for use by military spouses and families to continue some level of normalcy to family dynamic during a time of military deployment. There has been a considerable amount of research executed to demonstrate that in order to retain committed and skilled military personnel, concern by the Armed Forces branches for the well-being within their family dynamic, especially relating to the adjustments to a military culture, is essential. Modern day accessibility to a myriad of communication technology mediums has become a normal component of how military families stay intact and cope with deployment separation. in civilian and military culture alike, technological developments and mediated communication channels has revolutionized relational communication.
Communication technologies and mediated communication channels have changed the way that interpersonal relationships are sustained. Research indicated that nearly 90% of all internet-users utilize IM to maintain relationships (Ramirez & Broneck, 2009). E-mail has proven to be an effective method for supporting relationships that are either long-distance or wherein the partners involved are incapable of face-to-face contact; precisely the circumstance of the relationships that exists in a military context where a loved one is deployed. internet is an influential medium that is transforming behavior of interpersonal and relational maintenance communication (Bayum et al. 2007).
Evidence exists that healthy family relationships contribute to greater retention of military service personnel. The availability, accessibility and use of modern communications technologies and longer deployment separations as a result of increased military presence in the recent wars has caused a trend of "tele-family commuting" to keep that family dynamic somewhat intact despite being apart (Schrumm et al., 2004). In a study conducted involving married, active-duty Air Force members, the findings concluded that a variation exists in problems coping with deployment based on rank in the service and length of the marriage, thus suggesting that the longer the marital relationship connects to some extent with the opportunity for greater career (Spera, 2008). Similarly, The United States Army has an important concern and diligent attentiveness towards the condition of soldiers and their families, as there are demonstrated affects to soldier retention and overall satisfaction in military life and career in healthy military marriages and family units (Van Epp et al., 2008).
The invention and evolution of communication mediums have become an essential component of military family relationship maintenance. Military spouses have revealed that use of technologies, such as phones, e-mail and internet, helped them feel closer to their spouses during deployment. Additionally, they have acknowledged changed habits in frequency of and urgency towards carrying cell phones and to excusing themselves from work and meetings to receive a call from a deployed spouse. Using these communication mediums is helping to keep spouses connected during deployment to discuss a range of items from family and work frustrations to daily updates (Wheeler & Stone, 2009).
Critical Evaluation
Critique of Literature
A challenge to research on this topic is that execution of research must take place with greater immediacy. The delay in gathering, interpreting and publishing data and related information on a range of post-war topics, ranging from psychological impacts to outcomes of communication, is creating a void in knowledge of affects (La Bash, et al., 2008). As a result if this lapse, notably small amounts of information have been published about family effects caused by military deployment and particularly surrounding use of communication technologies (Mmari, et al., 2008). With an onslaught of media coverage through channels such as internet, television and a variety of news sources, and urgency exists to gain conclusions about the effects that mass and computer mediated communication has on servicemen and women and their families (Mmari et al., 2008). Facts presented in the literature validate the idea that, like civilian populations, military families are willing to adapt to technology and have become reliant on constant contact availability (Schrumm et al., 2004). Literature on communication technologies for use in relationship maintenance is abundant but not in the particular context of military use.
Research Questions
One-third of the United States population is either serving on active duty, in the military reserves, or is member of a military family (Rotter, 1999). The emotional stress, aggravated by message overload from various media channels, causes a recognizable shift in military family dynamics during deployments (Wheeler & Stone, 2009). Spouses are hesitant as to what information to share with one another during deployment and the associated impacts of disclosure (Rudden, 2009). This research leaves powerful questions remaining: Is the increased ability and frequency of communication good for bad for wartime morale and performance? Are admissions of goings-on at home and in war helpful or harmful to deployment? Additionally, the available research and data primarily focuses on technologies that are fading in popularity as new tools emerge. An associated question for future research is what is the role of social networks, blogs and similar CMC types that are newly available for relationship maintenance during military separation? To what extent are they being employed and what is their impact on deployment?
References
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Margaret C. Stewart, M.A., Doctoral Candidate
Department of communications Media
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Margaret C. Stewart is a Doctoral Candidate in Communications Media and Instructional Technology at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). She is currently teaching in the Department of Communication Studies at Bloomsburg university. in her fourth year of teaching in higher education, courses taught to date include Public Speaking, Interpersonal Communication and a variety of courses in mass media and production. Prior to teaching, Ms. Stewart's career consisted of working various facets of the music industry, namely, radio promotions and production, music licensing, and radio broadcast monitoring. Ms. Stewart's education is comprised of a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, with a concentration in Mass Media, and a Master of Arts in Professional Communication from La Salle University in Philadelphia. She has studied internationally in Salamanca, Spain and Prague, CZ. Ms. Stewart is a member of Alpha Epsilon (La Salle University's Alumni Honors Association), Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Association and the Eastern Communication Association. Her scholarship and research interests conjoin her experience and education in the fields of mass media, interpersonal and organizational communication. She plans to study the uses and implications of new and social media for relational maintenance, particularly to examine the effects of social networking between deployed servicemen/women and their families during a time of war.
Correspondence regarding this article should be addressed to Margaret C. Stewart, Department of Communications Media, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA 15705. m.c.stewart@iup.edu