BACK FROM IRAQ Transitional Issues Facing U.S. Army & Reserve Families R. Blaine Everson, Ph.D. Marriage & Family Therapist The Mary Lou Fraser Foundation for Families

Military Family At-Risk Factors Frequent Relocation (3.3 years avg) Previous Deployments (87%) Longer Separations (7.3 month avg) Larger Families (42% ≥ 3 children) Younger Mothers (26.5 median age) Blended Families (31% step-parents) Less Educated (21% w/o HS diploma) Working Outside Home (44%) Median Income < $30,000 (34%)

Reserve Units vs. Regular Army Units are small & based in local communities. Part-time soldiers, often working with local police, fire, and EMS. Families may be left in a town with little or no support services. Mostly support units (transport, MP, etc.) Units are based at major military installations. Full-time soldiers who expect to be deployed. Families are left at their post where a variety of supports are in place both on-post & in communities. Are part of a larger fighting force including 1/5 combat units.

Reserve (NG) vs. Army Families Likely to work within local communities Can’t relocate easily when activated Lack of military related health services - PCP not Tricare approved Make use of family or local supports (church, etc.) Live on-post or nearby; other family support No need to relocate when deployed Access to a variety of health, welfare, & educational services Support groups in-place through soldier’s unit

Language Barriers MOS BNOC NTC PCS DCU AO IRR NCO BAH ACS FOB Type of Uniform Preparation Encampment Desert Warfare Training Moving Sergeant Staff Sergeant’s School Rent Money “Backdoor” Draft Overseas Deployment Job in the Military Army Social Workers

Problems That Soldiers & Families Experience Upon Returning Home Reintegrating Into The Family System Soldier May Remain Peripheral To The System Trauma Related Symptoms (BATTLEMIND) Dealing With Financial Problems Devitalized Marriages Extramarital Affairs During Deployments Problems With Child Behavior & Abuse Increased Alcohol & Drug Use (Both Spouses)

FCS Assisting Military Families Pentagon funds initiatives improving lives of active duty military families ( Veterans groups are beginning to assist Reserve & NG families locally ( NMFA provides models & materials for educating & helping families ( State-level FCS should have information on financial/debt mgmt, nutritional planning, & household mgmt

FCS Programs & Reservist Families Contact organizations serving them to find needs or what’s not being done Establish contact & organize groups of those in need Determine congruency b/w your services & needs (“dollars or diet or development”) Find local support for programming & bring experts if needed Foster sense of normalcy & manageability