Emotional compartmentalization and functional grief: A phenomenological study of senior commanders in the Swords of Iron war

This pilot study explores the phenomenological experience of 22 senior Israel Defense Forces (IDF) commanders who lost subordinates within their "home base" during the "Swords of Iron" War. Utilizing a phenomenological analysis, four themes were identified that define "Functional Grief" (1): The "Command Box" - a controlled suspension of emotion enabling balanced decision-making under fire; (2) The "Dam Effect" - the responsibility for collective stability and the fear of emotional contagion undermining unit cohesion; (3) Identity Dynamics - comprising the stoic "day identity," the "night identity" that encounters the fallen, and the existence of "twilight spaces" allowing for controlled emotional leakage; and (4) Professional Translation of Loss - converting grief into operational data as a tool for maintaining a grip on reality. Findings reveal a "Double Burden" of managing personal grief alongside supportive functional duties within a breached sanctuary, which fundamentally challenges the commander's ontological security. The study recommends adopting a "Command-Informed Support" model that integrates peer groups and emotional respite protocols to strengthen the resilience of the systemic and professional echelons within the military.