Dynamics of Deployment and Relocation: A Case Study of Family Life of Military Lower Rankers

Abstract

Present research has highlighted the impact of deployment and relocation on soldiers and their families. The study aim is to understand life of soldiers who are lower rankers, and identify their family challenges when soldiers deployed to any combat area. Objectives of the research was to identify the structural and functional features of military that effect lower rankers and their families, and explore the nature and extent of relocation and deployment problems in framework of lower rankers position. Finally find out the challenges faced by family members because of numerous phases of separation due to deployments. The current research conducted interviews of soldiers as well as their wives. 17 families of lower rankers are included in this research, which consist of JCOs, NCOs soldiers and their wives. Intended for more authenticity of the data present study used mixed-methods approach. It is a qualitatively driven research, which classify the socio-economic demographic profile of respondents. The study further integrate different qualitative methods, as ‘focus group discussion (FGDs)’, ‘semi-structured interviews’ and ‘participant observation’ to attain more comprehensive understandings of phenomena. The study was conducted at Jhelum cantonment area. In-depth interviews were conducted from soldiers and their wives. Demographics of respondent’s shows that all ranks of NCOs and JCOs from Sepoy, Lance naik, Naik, Havildar, Naib subedar, to Subedar are involved in this research. The current research provides an overview of soldier’s life, deployment challenges of soldiers as well as challenges of their families that are left behind. Additionally it also investigated trends of hierarchical structure that exercising in Pakistan army. Military job is not an easy profession, in result soldier’s families suffer from different challenges from extended separation, husband/father absence and routine disruption.