Introduction to Military Culture

The Desert InstituteLas Vegas, NV

Battle of Fallujah (2004) Anbar Province, Iraq

To educate and help prepare mental health professionals who want to learn more about military culture and veteran reintegration and provide insight to those who will be working with today's returning war veterans.

PURPOSE

Training Modules:

1. Military Structure

II. Deployment

III. Challenges in Homecoming

IV. What You Can Do

USS Arizona Memorial – Pearl Harbor, Hawai’i

Module 1: Military Structure

Getting down to the basics

I. Military Structure Military Culture Branches and Components Rank & Grade Unit Structure Training Occupational Specialties Statistics

Culture is: 1) learned from

previous generations; 2) broadly shared by

members; 3) adaptive to the

conditions in which people live; and

4) symbolic in nature-agreed-on symbols help people create

order and make sense of their world.

Military Culture is: -Learned via

socialization training such as basic training

or “boot camp”-Broadly shared by its

members (e.g., saluting, regulations)

-Adaptive to changing conditions

-Symbolic in nature (e.g., rank insignia and

terminology that makes sense only within a

military context).

3D ID Memorial Ceremony - Iraq

I. Military Structure Branches & Components Army - Soldiers Navy - Sailors Marine Corps – Marines Air Force - Airmen Coast Guard – Coast

Guardsmen/Guardians

I. Military Structure Rank & Grade Enlisted pay grades begin at E-1 and

go up to E-9 General Officer pay grades begin at

0-1 and go up to 0-10 Warrant Officer pay grades begin at

W-1 and go up to W-5

I. Military StructureGround Forces: Army – Marine Corps

Squad Platoon Company Battalion Regiment Brigade Division Corps

I. Military Structure

Navy & Marine Corps

Flotilla Squadron Task Force Strike Groups Fleet Ship “Classes”

I. Military Structure

Navy & Marine Corps (Continued)

• Carrier Air Wing• Marine Air Ground Task Force (MAGTF)• Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU)• Marine Expeditionary Brigade (MEB)• Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF)• Float

I. Military Structure

Air Force

Flight Squadron Group Wing “Numbered” Air Forces Major Commands

I. Military Structure Training

• Basic Training or “Boot Camp”• AIT, A-School, etc. Focusing on your

specialty

• Specialized Training Ranger School BUDS Special Forces And many more…

I. Military Structure Occupational Specialties

• MOS, NEC, AFSC• Specialized occupational training is received

after Basic Training or “Boot Camp.”• Adaptability on deployment: From cook to

MP?• Combat Arms, Combat Support, Combat

Service Support• Combat Arms & the gradual integration of

females

Statistics Military Age: 17-62 Active Duty: 1,430,895 Reserve & National Guard: 833,616 Females represent 14% Active Duty &

17% in National Guard & Reserves.

Marital Status Active Component Males

• Starting at age 18, AC males more likely to be married than civilian counterparts through age 44.

• Greatest gap occurs at age 27.

Active Component Females• Starting at age 18, AC females are more

likely to be married than civilian counterparts through age 33.

• From age 33 on, AC females less likely to be married than female civilians.

Trivia Hooah? Oorah? Military time? What does GI stand for, really? Which is the oldest branch in the

military? Can anyone recite the phonetic

alphabet? Who has a loved one serving

overseas? How many veterans are here today?

Module II: DeploymentOverseas and beyond

II. Deployment

The Seven Stage Cycle Model: Anticipation of Departure Detachment and Withdrawal Emotional Disorganization Recovery and Stabilization Anticipation of Return Return Adjustment and Renegotiation Reintegration and Stabilization

II. DeploymentThe Seven Stage Cycle Model: 1. Anticipation of Departure

• In this stage, spouses, relatives, friends, and loved ones may alternately feel denial and anticipation of loss. As reality sinks in, tempers may flare as loved ones attempt to take care of all the items on a family pre-deployment checklist, while striving to make time for "memorable" moments. In the new emotional cycles of deployment, Stage 1 may begin again before a couple or family has even had time to renegotiate a shared vision of who they are after the changes from the last deployment.

II. DeploymentThe Seven Stage Cycle Model: 2. Detachment and Withdrawal

• In this stage, service members become more and more psychologically prepared for deployment, focusing on the mission and their unit. Bonding with their fellow service members is essential to unit cohesion, but this may create emotional distance within interpersonal or family relationships. Sadness and anger occur as couples attempt to protect themselves from the hurt of separation. In the new emotional cycles of deployment, as this stage happens more often and more frequently, marital problems may escalate. When a loved one must repeatedly create emotional "distance,“ they may gradually shut down their emotions. It may seem easier to just feel "numb" rather than sad, but the lack of emotional connection to your spouse can lead to difficulties in a marriage.

II. Deployment

The Seven Stage Cycle Model: 3. Emotional Disorganization

• With back to back deployments, one might think that this stage of adjusting to new responsibilities and being alone would get easier. Although a military spouse may be familiar with the routine, (s)he may also be experiencing "burn-out" and fatigue from the last deployment, and feel overwhelmed at starting this stage again.

II. Deployment

The Seven Stage Cycle Model: 4. Recovery and Stabilization

• Here, loved ones realize they are fundamentally resilient and able to cope with the deployment. They develop increased confidence and a positive outlook. With back to back deployments, however, families and loved ones may find it hard to muster the emotional strength required, but many resources are available to provide needed support.

II. Deployment

The Seven Stage Cycle Model: 5. Anticipation of Return

• This is generally a happy and hectic time spent preparing for the return of the service member. Spouses, children and parents of the service member need to talk about realistic plans and expectations for the return and reunion.

II. DeploymentThe Seven Stage Cycle Model: 6. Return Adjustment and Renegotiation

• Families and loved ones must reset their expectations and renegotiate their roles during this stage. The key to successful adjustment and renegotiation is open communication. Families also need to be prepared to deal with the effects of combat stress on the returning service member. Such stress and trauma can be difficult to deal with. Troops with combat stress are often irritable, guarded, and want to be alone. Some may use increased alcohol or drugs in a failed attempt to "numb" the emotional pain they are experiencing. Attempts at renegotiation may result in increasing arguments.

II. DeploymentThe Seven Stage Cycle Model: 7. Reintegration and Stabilization

• This stage can take up to 6 months as the families stabilize their relationships anew. As noted with Stage 6, the presence of combat stress can severely disrupt the stabilization process. Reintegration and stabilization can hit more roadblocks when a Family must make a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move immediately upon the return of the service member. Back to back deployments create stress as families stabilize only to begin Stage 1 once again.

II. Deployment Dealing with overseas obstacles as a

service member:• Homefront issues• Combat exposure• Death & dying• Physical injury• Psychological trauma• Changes in emotion and response

Module III: Challenges in Homecoming

That old “Alice in Wonderland” feeling…

1. Addressing Emotion2. PTSD3. MST4. TBI

5. Psychological and Physiological

Issues6. Interpersonal

relationships7. Employment8. Adjustment

III. Challenges in Homecoming Addressing Emotion

• Everyone’s military experience is different and may range greatly in emotional and/or physical trauma

• Not everyone is ready to share and may need time to process difficulties

• Sharing experiences may be difficult to do with those who may not understand

Emotional issues include: • Sadness • Excitement • Anger • Anticipation • Vulnerability • Confidence • Loneliness • New challenges • Lack of sense of belonging

III. Challenges in Homecoming

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder• Combat-related stress• Similar to symptoms of Traumatic Brain

Injury (TBI)• Affects men and women veterans alike and

all ages• Non-combat-related trauma

III. Challenges in Homecoming

MST: Military Sexual Trauma• Sexual harassment and assault while

serving in the military• 1 in 3 women in the military will face

sexual assault and 66% will face harassment

• 181 (8%) out of 2,212 MST cases go to trial

• Affects both men and women:11% of women and 1.2% of men are raped in service

III. Challenges in Homecoming

TBI: Traumatic Brain Injury• Blast injuries

IED’s Mortar & Rocket attacks

Symptoms are similar to PTSD and present both physiological and psychological affects. TBI should especially be taken into account for recently returning veterans.

III. Challenges in Homecoming

Psychological and Physiological Issues• Confronting trauma faced while serving

overseas• Burn pits, chemical exposure, and depleted

uranium• Non-combat-related trauma• Legal issues dealt with while in theater• Family and relationship problems

III. Challenges in Homecoming

Interpersonal Relationships• Similar to Kubler-Ross stages of death and

dying• Long periods of separation, physical and

emotional distance• Adjustment to everyday life and romantic

contact with partner• Loved ones and families sense change in

the veteran

III. Challenges in Homecoming

Employment• Current economic problems• Employers facing the hiring of “war veterans”• Stigma in the workplace• Translation of military experience onto a

civilian resume• Feelings of self-worth and contribution• Missing the adrenaline of combat and how to

cope

III. Challenges in Homecoming

Adjustment• Homelessness: 33% of the homeless

population are veterans• Suicide: recent spikes in military & veterans

suicide• Military & VA medical & mental health

barriers• Education & employment opportunities

Module IV: What You Can Do

Dos and Don'ts for Civilian Mental Health Providers

Veterans & Suicide Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6VmUulPab4M

The Basics Health professionals can use tools, training and

other resources to develop skills in creating and maintaining open lines of communication with service members. As many health care professionals know, establishing a relationship based on trust and respect is a key step in counseling service members. Such a relationship includes:

• Actively listening• Encouraging questions and concerns• Speaking clearly and deliberately• Being honest and truthful

Don’t: Judge a person on their military

service. Like diagnoses, keep things in first-person language. There is more to the veteran than their military experience.

Ask them if they’ve killed anyone. Be flippant in your personal views on

current events, politics, etc. Avoid it. Ask them to explain the basics of

military structure and facts…Google it!

Do: Be patient Respectful if they do not want to talk

about traumatic events right away Let them know they are respected

and valued Become familiar with veteran

resources in your area Keep up-to-date on military & veteran

mental health initiatives

Remember… The emotions veterans experience during

the cycles of deployment are a normal reaction to an abnormal situation unique to the military

If a service member or veteran experiences combat stress, it can interfere with community reintegration and rehabilitation

No veteran should have to go it alone! Become more aware of effective coping mechanisms and various networking and veteran assistance resources in your area

Remember Our Veterans

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ervaMPt4Ha0

Questions???

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