Soldiers by virtue of being soldiers are supposed to be very strong both physically and emotionally and can never be expected to die from very illnesses like HIV/AIDS, but is that so?
I was told of an incident where solders were parachuted into what from above appeared like friendly territory only to discover it was enemy territory and soon after dropping down a fierce battle ensued. When the battle was over only one soldier remained alive and was soon reconnected with his friends but later in the night he was attacked by a malaria bout and died, such is life.
Among the most hard hit by HIV/AIDS were the armed forces among other workers such as teachers, the police etc. Soldiers are people like everyone else and also engage in love affairs and sex and also get married and have children. Many cases have been recorded where dead soldiers in action have been found with photos and letters of their girlfriends or wives in their shirt pockets close to their hearts. In some countries soldiers are not allowed to get married until after a certain period of time in the army. This however, does not mean that soldiers do not fall in love or engage in sexual activities.
I have always maintained that sex is a very powerful force associated with love and violence sometimes and many a man have met their maker because of sexual violence. When soldiers are released for short stints of time from their barracks the first thing they want to quench is their sexual appetite and because they do not have the time to engage in normal love affairs which may take up to a few days or weeks to subsist young soldiers usually opt for the shorter route and that is the prostitute route. Prostitutes on the other hand have perfected the art of seduction to a point where a young soldier is left salivating and asking to be given sex without protection and the seasoned prostitute ups her act and increases the charge and because the young soldier has no option but to pay for the rare treat and only realises his mistake later on when he tests HIV+.
The senior soldier who might be married is not spared from sexual risks. Many soldiers by nature of their jobs stay away from their families and examples are soldiers on foreign missions or even locally but stationed in barracks away from their homes. A lot can happen when spouses are living in separate locations because they can be tempted and end up engaging in extra marital affairs which may result in HIV infections.
I don’t know who told people that sex is war, and for it to really be enjoyable it has to be a rough ride of sorts. If you listen to men both young and old talking about how they gave it to their lady and made her really cry you would think they wanted to commit murder of some sorts. Ladies on the other hand discuss on how they want their men to take them and you begin to wonder whether we are ever going to end HIV when people are so obsessed with sex. Sex enhancement concoctions are sold in both public and pay toilets in towns and cities for both men and women all this to make all involved horny.
When the army goes on its recruiting exercises it is very specific on the age range of its recruits that is they have got to be between 18 and 22 and single and truth is most of them have never slept with a girl or woman let alone fall in love. While they’re undergoing training they meet with some younger recruits who are streetwise and glowing pictures are told of how sweet ladies’ honey pots are and usually there is lots of exaggeration to make it sweeter. Come pass out time and the now sex starved new soldier wants to go out and try out all he has heard during training about how sweet sex is. Some new soldiers are infected with HIV on their first encounter.
To curb HIV infections among the armed forces regular awareness programs should be taken to the barracks to empower both new and old soldiers of the dangers posed by HIV/AIDS. A sense of responsibility should be instilled into every soldier during and after training. More emphasis should be made on teaching of responsible courtship and marriage. On the other hand spouses of serving soldiers should also be taught to act responsibly when their spouses are out on national or international duty.
Wherever possible efforts must be made to enable soldiers to live with their families. While it is very difficult to totally change people from the way God created them efforts should be made to try and reduce new infections from taking place.
By Piason Maringwa
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