1 “Covering Conflict: The Media At War” March , 2004 Sponsored by: The University of California Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism’s Western Knight Center for Specialized Journalism Training, in partnership with the University of California Berkeley, Human Rights Center

2 Reporting on the National Guard and Reservist Call-Up Moderated by Jim Crawley, Military Affairs Reporter, San Diego Union-Tribune Colonel Terry Knight, California National Guard James Martin, Associate Professor of Social Work and Social research at Bryn Mawr College, and senior editor of The Military Family: A Practice Guide for Human Service Providers

3 Supporting Strong and Healthy Military Families James A. Martin, Ph.D. Colonel, US Army (Retired) & Associate Professor Bryn Mawr College Bryn Mawr, PA

4 Key Strategies for Supporting Strong and Healthy Military Families: Develop formal relationships among local public, nonprofit and business organizations and the military’s community leaders Build informal relationships both among military families and between military and non-military families, and provide military families with meaningful opportunities for civic engagement. Increase prevention and outreach efforts to promote and sustain resilient military families, especially families in known high- risk categories or situations.

5 Challenges confronting the 21 st Century military are associated with recruiting, training, sustaining, and retaining members and their families in the context of the changing nature of the people, their duties, their careers, and their QOL expectations – all occurring within the opportunities and constraints of broadly defined set of contextual factors. Our National Guard & other Reserve Components face challenges that are both similar and unique to those confronting the Active Components Background

6 A Model for Examining 21 st Century Military Service and Community Life The People Their Duties Their Career Their QOL Contextual Factors: Social; Legal; Political; Economic; & Technological Represents continuous change Competent and resilient communities are a foundation of support for the well being of military members and their families

7 A Model for Examining 21st Century Military Service and Community Life The People The Contextual Factors: Social; Legal; Political; Economic; & Technological  Number of minority members  Number & roles of women  Variation in “family types”  “Extended family” responsibilities  Reserve Component presence  “Non-uniformed” presence Example issues

8 A Model for Examining 21st Century Military Service and Community Life Their Duties The Contextual Factors: Social; Legal; Political; Economic; & Technological  Rotational deployments as a “way of life”  Long and sustained operational hardships  Technical K nowledge, S kills, B ehaviors  Requirements for multiple “soldier” skills Example issues

9 A Model for Examining 21st Century Military Service and Community Life Their Career The Contextual Factors: Social; Legal; Political; Economic; & Technological  Fewer PCS moves (& more civilian connections )  Fewer families living overseas  Frequent & prolonged spouse absence  Longer, shorter, & varied career patterns Example issues

10 A Model for Examining 21st Century Military Service and Community Life Their QOL The Contextual Factors: Social; Legal; Political; Economic; & Technological  Compensation, benefits, & entitlements  Emphasis on personal responsibility  Bases as “industrial / technology” centers  Multi-service military communities  Military / civilian community connections  Virtual “community” identification CBO: Average compensation for an active-duty service member in 2002 was $99K ($43K Cash, $56K non-cash

11 Military Family Profile Active Duty Members* 1.4 million members 47% are 25 or younger 58% are married and/or have children (i.e., families) 86,700 single parents 47,904 dual military couples 1.17 million children (0-18) 41% of children under 5 73% of these couples/families live off base in the civilian community Data Source: DMDC 2003 *Approximately 85% of Active Duty Members are assigned in the USA

12 Military Family Profile NG & Reserve Members* 880,000 members 30% are 25 or younger (average is 33.4 years) 59% are married and/or have children (i.e., families) 69,800 single parents 21,303 dual military couples 713,800 children (0-18) 24% of children under 5 National Guard & Reserves Members (and families) are dispersed in more than 5000 communities spread across the USA. Data Source: DMDC 2003 *There are an additional 350,000 individuals In the Individual Ready Reserves – representing a wartime “mobilization pool.”

13 The Changing Nature of Military Service and Family Life Today military members serve in 130 countries and every time zone and 26, 000 Navy & Marine Corps personnel are assigned on board ships (“afloat”) in overseas (foreign) locations. Approximately 105,000 troops (including 40% who are Reserve & National Guard Members) have deployed to Iraq (phase 2) and most will spend a full year there. Substantial troop requirements are expected through 2005 and beyond. Reserve Component service members still represent “a necessary pool of talent” based on their critical civilian skills e.g., medical, civil affairs etc.

14 The Changing Nature of Military Service and Family Life During the “Cold War” large numbers of troops and families garrisoned in Europe & Asia. Today, the focus is shifting to “home-basing” in the USA and deploying units to meet operational requirements. Whether for training or a lengthy and dangerous overseas deployment, family separations are now the dominate condition of military life for ALL military families!

15 Some Key Challenges for National Guard & Reserve Families For those who returned from recent deployments – transitions  For those who are now deployed – stay the course  For those who expect to go in the near future – preparations For all – acknowledge, accept, & adjust to the evolving realities of post 9/11 military service in the NG & Reserves – A “major-order culture change” Post 9/11 (as of March 3, 2004) more than 180,527 National Guard & Reserve personnel have been called to active duty. DoD News Release No

16 Deployment Soldiers board a plane on their way to Iraq for a one-year rotation in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Stephanie L. Carl This photo appeared on

17 Operations December 24, 2003 Soldiers remove cargo from a Marine Corps helicopter at Salerno Forward Operation Base in Afghanistan during Operation Geronimo Avalanche. The operation aims to defeat anti-Coalition fighters and destroy their hiding places. U.S. Army photo by PFC. Gul A. Alisan. This photo appeared on

18 Homecoming Soldier kisses his six-month old son upon his return after a year-long deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. by Spc. Kristopher Joseph This photo appeared on

19 Homecoming has many faces Transfer between aircraft SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Medical workers and aircrew members transfer a patient from one C- 130 Hercules to another that was waiting to take off. A critical care air transport team managed the patient's care from Afghanistan to Baghdad. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Bob Oldham)

20 We must not forget the sacrifices we are asking of our members & families Marines carefully fold the American flag before presenting it to family. Three spent rounds are tucked into the folded American flag to symbolize God, Country and Corps. Photo by: Lance Cpl. Jeremy L. Gadrow

21 Including continued concern for those wounded and injured  Thousands of U.S. troops have been wounded and injured in Iraq. They have been paralyzed, lost limbs, suffered blindness, been horribly burned, and/or experienced psychic trauma and so on. They are heroes, without question.  These troops selflessly sacrificed their bodies and their dreams in Iraq (as troops always do in war).  Remember that these troops have families – who share in their sacrifice and suffering. See Op-Ed Columnist: Our Wounded Warriors NY TIMES March 12, 2004 By BOB HERBERT

22 Casualties in the Iraq War Numbers in brackets indicate casualties after May 1, 2003, when the United States and the United Kingdom declared "major combat" ended. Casualty numbers are likely higher because only confirmed deaths are included. Non- combat deaths include accidents, friendly fire incidents, suicides and incidents unrelated to fighting. U.S. Combat deaths: 389 (274) Total wounded: 2,788 Non-combat deaths: 174 (151) Total injured: 424 More than 11K medical Evacuations from Iraq British Combat deaths: 20 (12) Non-combat deaths: 38 (13) Multinational Combat deaths: 36 (36) Non-combat deaths: 6 (6) Canadian Deaths: Military 1 (with U.S. Forces) Civilian 4 Iraqi deaths: estimated 8,437 to 10,282 Sources: U.S. Department of Defense, British Ministry of Defense and CBC News Updated March 15, 2004

23 From “Mechanics” to “Gardeners” Using Good Metaphors “All growth in nature arises out of an interplay between reinforcing growth processes and limiting processes. The seed contains the possibility for a tree, but it realizes that possibility through an emergent reinforcing growth process” (p. 7). We should not be trying to just “fix” problems. Our goal is to encourage the development of resources and solutions. Peter Senge et al. (1999) The Dance of Change

24 Strategies for Change: A Community Capacity Model Unit Leadership Community Agencies Community Connections Community Capacity Health & Emotional Well-being Spiritual Well-being Safety Personal Preparedness Sense of Community Family Adaptation Entitlements & Benefits Collaborations are the root system

25 Resilient Military Families Resilient military families have the following characteristics: under stress they may bend but do not break & they are able to return to the same or higher functioning as a result of successfully coping with these duty and life challenges

26 Strengthening the Formal Community The role of community & unit leadership “Community” including BOTH the military & civilian community Unit leaders across the organizational spectrum beginning with small unit leaders

27 Strengthening the Informal Community The Role of Community Connections Two Marine Moms from Brooklyn, N.Y. Doris Abdullah (left) and Terri Compton met and started a support group while their sons were deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. They made themselves available, provided comfort and undying support not just to each other, but to anyone who reached out. Major J.J. Dill along with Staff Sergeant Marcos Cordero and Sergeant Mcallan Magloire presented the Marine Moms with flowers and Certificates of Appreciation. Photo by: Sgt A.R. Hay

Building & Sustaining a Network of Connections for Active Duty and National Guard and Reserve Families for Active Duty and National Guard and Reserve Families Military Sector: Extended Family, Friends & Neighbors (Informal Networks) Volunteer & Nonprofit Organizations Support Groups Faith Communities Military Unit Leaders Installation Leaders Military Community Agencies FamilyResilience Civilian Sector: Extended Family, Friends & Neighbors (Informal Networks) Civic & Nonprofit Organizations Support Groups Faith Communities Employers Local Government Public and Private Community Agencies A QOL foundation must be provided by the Department of Defense, & Congressional, State, and Local Leaders

29 The Importance of Outreach & Prevention Efforts We are able to identify high risk families & situations Knowledge, skills, behaviors, & access are important

30 Example Public Policy Actions continued Promote DOD-wide policies and local programs that enhance informal relationships between military and non- military families, and support for related knowledge building. Establish local commissions (collaboratives) through which public officials, leaders in the nonprofit and business sectors, and military community leaders develop “partnerships” to support military family issues.

31 Example Public Policy Actions. Shift family support resources to prevention and outreach efforts, especially for families in known high- risk categories or situations. Develop and support a coherent roadmap and mechanisms for peer-reviewed research and program evaluation that links to related civilian science and practice.

32 Questions & Answers For more information, you may contact me at or call me at