Military Culture

Basic Training – Military Culture Dr. Will G. Barnes Chaplain, Colonel Army National Guard

Basic Training – Military Culture Understanding the nature of the military culture, combat and the stresses of living and working in a war zone are critical to establishing credibility with your clients.

Basic Training – Military Culture The military has its own laws, its own clothes and its own language. To serve them better and help ease their fears about treatment, we first need to understand what being a veteran is all about and be familiar with all things military. Scott Swain, 15-year Gulf War veteran, Senior Director Veterans Services Valley Cities Counseling and Consultation Auburn, WA

Basic Training – Military Culture Army o Army National Guard Navy Marine Corps Air Force o Air National Guard Coast Guard*

Basic Training – Military Culture A word about lingo… some examples o OEF = Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) o OIF = Operation Iraqi Freedom (Iraq) o OND = Operation New Dawn (current status of Iraq)

Basic Training – Military Culture A word about lingo… some examples o IED = Improvised Explosive Device o VBIED = Vehicle Born IED (car or suicide bomb) o ROE = Rules of Engagement o The Wire = defines a relatively safe area o In Theatre/in Country = place of deployment

Basic Training – Military Culture A word about lingo… some examples o FOB = Forward Operating Base o MOS = Military Occupation Specialty – job in the military o RPG = Rocket Propelled Grenade o SAF = Small Arms Fire

Basic Training – Military Culture A word about lingo… some examples o DoD = Department of Defense o VA = Department of Veterans’ Affairs o TRICARE = military health insurance o National Guard = state organization deployed by Governor o Reserve = federal organization deployed by President

Basic Training – Military Culture A word about lingo… some examples o Marine = Marine o Navy = Sailors o Army = Soldiers o Air Force = Airmen/Airwomen o Coast Guard = Coast Guard - “Coasties” o National Guard = The Guard o Reserve = Reservist

Basic Training – Military Culture High standard of discipline helps organize and structure the armed forces Professional ethos of loyalty and self- sacrifice maintains order during battle

Basic Training – Military Culture Distinct set of ceremony and etiquette creates shared rituals and common identities Emphasis on group cohesion & esprit de corps connects service members to each other

Take home point Know something about military culture

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