The Army

As discussed in my last blog post - one of the key words to cope and enjoy a military mission, is isolation - and a lot of the time it pretty much sums up the feeling of working in the Army too. Whilst the isolation-mindset can be a surviving factor during military training and missions, it can lead to a backlash too, especially during a communication process.

The military world, similar to many other industries, can be described as a bubble of its own, with little interest or influence from the outside world, the unknown, or new. And in all fairness, why even bother? The Army has no commercial competitors and therefore no need to adapt to trends in society, or the market, make more effective use of its resources, or communicating and defending any long-term aims for many of its activities. I’m sure there is a need for the above, but my point is: It’s like teaching an old dog to sit.

Females are still an extreme minority in high level military positions, as well as a minority in my Unit, despite numerous women being interviewed during the recruitment process. However, apart from several layers of inequality in the military - another proof of the Army’s isolated nature and its discomfort with change, is that people within the establishment are still using old-fashioned words, which can be described as an extremely dated way of conversing.

I have spent the past couple of months marvelling at the way people communicate, and to my astonishment my own colleagues are starting to pick up on the military lingo. People, including myself at times, have started incorporating a few select words - not only with military officers, but also in conversation with each other!

I am sure that anyone from the outside world would raise an eyebrow, if not two, in the Army office.

To get what I mean, see list of words below:

“Taget” – meaning: I accept and agree with you in the shortest way possible, and without asking any questions, since I would like to be perceived as highly efficient moron, eh - soldier.

“Gott” – meaning: Since I love the Army and identify as a Swedish Officer so much, I say this 100 year old word, instead of the modern “Good”. However, I keep repeating it because I constantly have to remind myself of who I am, as of way of not getting confused and insecure about my identity, so: Bla bla “gott” bla “gott" bla bla, "GOTT!”

“Frågor?” – meaning: Does anyone have any questions in regard to what I have just said? Within a millisecond is normally follow by: “Gott” and “Frammåt”, below:

“Frammåt!” – meaning "ahead" and for the person hearing it: OK, let’s implement the orders. We are now allowed to start our task, but first; let’s stomp our feet together loudly and then take one large step in forward direction, as to make a mark that we’re alert and now moving swiftly out of sight from the idiot who just spoke.

“Uppfattat” – meaning: OK, cool – I understand what you mean, but I am sharper than most since I can use a super short word for it. Plus, I won’t ask any questions, which means; brownie points for me!

“Tillägg” – meaning: Is there anyone who would like to add something to what I have already said now when I am completely done with my presentation?

OR: Attention my way! Since I have just listened to the presentation and been quiet for a long time – I will now add something important that the presenter obviously missed, or more like it - that I didn’t share with him/her ahead of the presentation - giving me the last word.

Regarding the general communication process, I'm sure it can be improved in many companies – as miscommunication can lead to rumours, confusion and at worst, stress for the employee. Also, any organisation interested in securing talent to drive the company forward and closer to its goals and visions, must focus on individual satisfaction.

Communication and company decisions therefore can’t be done in isolation, or starting from the top without taking into account both relevant internal and external information, along with some influences from the outside.

Apart from knowing the vision and goals of an organisation, you also need to know your individual responsibilities to do with your specific role, broken down on a day to day basis. Once you know what your area of delivery includes – long term and short; you need to stay motivated. This is where a manager or boss comes into the picture, a person that can provide goal, or sub-goal performance feedback in order for you to grow and improve in you role. 

Motivation then, will always start at an individual level, and in the Army – at the bottom of the hierarchy!

Having rested for a week I am back to my normal energy levels. The second of our “pre-Cold Response training sessions” finished in Boden last week. And now, just as I have gotten used to being at home again – it’s time for another work trip.

However, this time I know how to survive a military mission.

The trick is to surrender completely, and forget about your normal life and routines for as long as the exercise last. Forget your interests, books, food-or drink preferences, family or usual activities. Don’t expect to have the time for anything else than the planned military activities, 24/7.

Imagine joining a summer camp for pre-schoolers, but instead of a teacher telling you where, when and how to do something, you have a man (obviously) dressed in a green costume telling you his expectations. Your job is simply to listen and if asked – be prepared to repeat the order in front of everyone, and go with the flow.

As I told my mother the above, she enthusiastically exclaimed; “Sounds like the most wonderful holiday! Not having to think!” Just how much one is expected to think in the Army and to what extent, definitely comes with practice. I’ve had to learn the hard way, and in regards to missions - nobody briefed me in advance. Perhaps it's all too obvious to the already military trained?

Well, I have never before experienced a military mission during my 33 years of life. My role and employment in the Army may be of civilian rank, but I’m expected to lead the life of a fully blown soldier especially when there is training or missions on schedule. And since I haven’t complained or asked too many questions in regards to this (a highly unaccepted behaviour in the Army btw) – it is now clear to me how to adapt during missions, in order to keep my sanity.

It’s easy to realise why I found it tough at times during my first assignment in Italy – the mission all self proclaimed hard-core Army studs called an ”ice-cream holiday”, which at first made me feel like a super weak person. For me it wasn’t all easy to live and work at the Italian Psyops base.

Also when packing for Italy I had my personal computer, yoga video and Yantra mat with me – thinking I’ll be able to stick with some of my personal routines and joys whilst living abroad. It feels silly to write this now, as I know better.

On mission – there is nothing called individual routines and in a way, I wish someone had told me ahead of the trip! Not once did I have a chance to enjoy a yoga session on my own, and the only time I used my Yantra mat was during a weekend away at a hotel, when the activated peptide hormones gave me a severe headache for the rest of my break – and it lasted the entire mission.

I never managed to have a good night’s sleep in Italy. We’re talking five weeks of not sleeping here… Oh, and there was plenty of mold on the walls giving half of the Swedish crew breathing and throat problems – me included. Each night I was woken up several times by other people snoring in the room, or from my own turning in the tiny, squeaky and terribly uncomfortable and extremely hard bed. In total, the room had three iron beds and three lockers – that’s it. So a sort of echoing sound spread from each movement, and any noise from outdoors also found its way into our room.

Back then I thought normal earplugs were too large for my ears and I was never able to use them the correct way. During the night I repeatedly used to wake up without them. I was also extremely cold in the night, since the Italians were too cheap to turn the heating on.

Not until my training mission in Boden last week, have I learnt how to squeeze the earplugs into tiny worms and force them into my eardrums! It hurts, but that’s the way to do it, and it blocks all sound out until the next morning, when removing them. On my recent mission in Northern Sweden, I also had to drop my Psychology studies since studying started to stress me out – it’s impossible to find the energy and time to study on mission. I just have to accept getting behind with my studies while away. And the Yantra mat is not coming along next time.

As long as I have a shower each night, I’ll be relaxed enough to go to sleep.

On mission, the trick is basically to forget who you are and the life you prefer, and to welcome with all your cells – the regimented Army existence. Get up when everyone else is getting up. Eat at times when everyone else goes for breakfast, lunch or dinner – and consume all that is on offer, since you’ll be in need of the energy. Stick together at all times and don’t – not in any situation – get behind!

There is nothing that bugs military officers, and your colleagues for that matter, more than lateness.

The only thing to take personal control of is your own hydration and warmth, so change socks and remove boots whenever possible. Keep your own equipment close at all times and with all gear in the right place and fully fuelled, such as hot water in your thermos. Accept that nobody may know anything about what’s going on, or what is ahead – not even your boss. It’s a common thing in the Army since the hierarchy has a pacifying effect on people. In such times, it’s best to practise mindfulness and take a nap, because who knows when you’ll next be able to rest?