MILITARY CULTURAL COMPETENCY Jason Wentworth, Region 5 Coordinator February 18, 2016

Why is this important? 2  It’s important that all who interact with or care for veterans have a basic understanding of military culture.  Basic knowledge regarding structure, policies and expectations of the military can promote a stronger connection, build trust and help you better assist veterans and their families.

We will learn about: 3  Branches of service and their core missions  Military rank structure  Active versus reserve component status  General and deployment related issues.

Branches of the Armed Services 4

ARMY 5  Mainly responsible for land-based military operations.  Oldest and largest branch of the military  Motto - “This We Will Defend”

NAVY 6  A seagoing force to defend our seas and protect our shores.  Deter aggression and maintain freedom of the seas  Motto – “Not for self, but country”

AIR FORCE 7  Conducts military operations in air, space and cyberspace.  Motto – “Fly, Fight, and Win!”

MARINE CORPS 8  No such thing as a former Marine. “Once a Marine, always a Marine.”  Motto – “First to Fight” Semper Fidelis  Marines to remain faithful to mission, corps, and country.

COAST GUARD 9  Falls under the Department of Homeland Security but operates with the Navy during periods of war.  Motto – “Always Ready”

Chain of Command 10  Ensures flow of information  Provides command and control  Maintains order and discipline  Defines lines of authority  Rank defines leadership and responsibility for personnel, equipment, and mission grows progressively

Military Rank Structure 11

Active versus Reserve Components 12  There are cultural differences between the Active and Reserve Components that are important to understand.  Active Component:  Works “full-time” for the military  Full-time hours = Full-time benefits  On call 24hrs/day, 365 days/yr  Permanent force of the military  Approximately 1.3 million members

Reserve Component 13  Part-time duties.  One weekend a month, two weeks per year.  Can be activated to augment Active Component.  7 Components:  US Army National Guard  US Air National Guard  US Army Reserve  US Navy Reserve  US Air Force Reserve  US Marine Corps Reserve  US Coast Guard Reserve

Difference between National Guard and Reserve 14  National Guard has dual mission – defending both the state and nation, and is subject to mobilization by both the Governor and the President.  Reserves are federal troops with a federal mission.

Culture 15  The military works on a clear form of reward and punishment. Along with discipline and control comes focus.  Along with discipline and control comes focus. Focus is important to mission success.  A service member who may have either physical or emotional stress may keep this to themselves until they can no longer manage it, due to (for instance): infrastructure of their family fracturing as a result; employment is in jeopardy or lost; they simply cannot function.

Norms 16  Dedication to mission and country  Family unit is also part of military  Authoritarian structure Necessary to life or death  Complex social system Officers don’t mix socially with enlisted  There is no space for “weakness.” One must carry their weight and support the mission at all costs.

When you talk with the veteran 17  Do not fake interest, knowledge, and/or experience with this population. They will know.  Do not say you understand how they feel.  Do not assume war was horrible for them.  Do not assume all require mental health treatment.  Be direct. No “B.S.” Those who have served will know the difference between faking the talk and walking the walk.  Above all, respecting and validating someone’s experience is universal. This skill applies here with veterans and military personnel especially.  Be dependable. Accountability is a very important trait taught and reinforced in the military.  Be curious. A genuine, respectful and authentic curiosity about someone’s service will translate to being interested and willing to learn about the person’s experience.

Combat Experience 18  The most challenging stressors seem to be loss, exposure to trauma, situations that create inner conflict, and overall wear and tear.  Even those who are not deployed to combat zones can experience one or all of these stressors, as a need for commitment, high responsibility, frequent changes, and long hours are experienced whether deployed or not.

Why They Join? 19  Servicemembers join for different reasons. And everyone has their own experience.  Some find the experience challenging and feel energized, committed, and strengthened by it.  Other’s find that the accumulation of stressors at different times can take a toll on their physical and mental health.

The Transition 20  Foxhole to Cubicle “I had to resist barking out orders and telling my subordinates to do push-ups for making mistakes.”

Impact on Families 21  As for the family; frequent moves, absence of the military parent, and other stresses are common for military families. However the deployment of a parent to a combat zone represents a challenge of a different magnitude.

Those who serve in the military typically: 22

800-MICH-VET ( )