YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE CITIZEN SOLDIERS IN THE WORK PLACE Major General WILLIAM D. WOFFORD The Adjutant General of Arkansas

Agenda Organization Missions Operational Stress Keeping Life in Perspective Questions AGENDA YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

8,005 Soldiers 80% STATE NATIONAL GUARD YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE AIR NATIONAL GUARD ARMY NATIONAL GUARD

DUAL MISSIONS YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE National Guard units are unique in that they have both Federal and State Mission Requirements

“Maintain properly trained and equipped units available for prompt mobilization for war, national emergency or as otherwise required” DUAL MISSIONS FEDERAL MISSION YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

“Maintain properly trained and equipped units available for prompt support to civil authorities for state emergencies or as otherwise directed by the Governor” DUAL MISSIONS STATE MISSION YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

7 Federal Mission FEDERAL MISSIONS YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

State Missions STATE MISSIONS YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

OPERATIONAL STRESS

Warning Signs Traffic SignsTraffic Signs Stock Market IndicatorsStock Market Indicators Leading/Lagging Business IndicatorsLeading/Lagging Business Indicators Health Warning Signs:Health Warning Signs: –Blood Pressure –Cholesterol Count STOP 3 rd Qtr YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

Warning Signs Military Warning Signs:Military Warning Signs: –Recruiting –Maintenance –Training –Readiness YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Army Community ServiceArmy Community Service University PresidentUniversity President Guardsmen:Guardsmen: –Drinking Problems –Divorce Rate –Suicide WARNINGSIGNSIGNORED Walter Reed...Walter Reed... YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD is an anxiety disorder after someone has experienced a traumatic event:PTSD is an anxiety disorder after someone has experienced a traumatic event: –Police/Fire Fighters –Combat or Military Exposure –Terrorist Attack –Sexual or Physical Assault –Child Abuse –Vehicle Accident INDIVIDUAL GENUINELY BELIEVES THEIR LIFE OR THE LIVES OF OTHERS ARE IN IMMINENT DANGER INDIVIDUAL GENUINELY BELIEVES THEIR LIFE OR THE LIVES OF OTHERS ARE IN IMMINENT DANGER YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms of PTSD:Symptoms of PTSD: –Re-Experiencing Symptoms (Flashbacks, Startling Noises, See Car Accident,...) –Avoidance Symptoms (Evade Activities, Places, People,... ) –Numbing Symptoms (Loss of Emotion, Loss of Positive Attitude, Avoid Relationships,...) –Arousal Symptoms (Heightened Sense of Being On Guard, Difficulty with Sleep or Concentration, Irritable,...) YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE Operational Stress WHAT WHATCAUSESOPERATIONALSTRESS ???? ????

Operational Stress YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

Operational Stress YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

Operational Stress YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

Operational Stress YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

Operational Stress YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

Operational Stress YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

Operational Stress YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD is not just fallout from the Vietnam warPTSD is not just fallout from the Vietnam war It has been there in every major conflictIt has been there in every major conflict World War II:World War II: –400,00 lives lost to combat and non- combat actions –Over 500,00 psychiatric casualties WW I, WW II, Korea: The number pulled off the front lines as psychiatric casualties greater than those that died in combatWW I, WW II, Korea: The number pulled off the front lines as psychiatric casualties greater than those that died in combat YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

BUILDING RESILIENCY

Joint Services Support Branch Family Programs * Transition Assistance * Reintegration * Psychological Health * Employer Support * Survivor Outreach * Military One Source * Military and Family Life Consultants YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

Operational Stress Time to DecompressTime to Decompress Reintegration...Reintegration... –Pre- / During- / Post-Deployment –Health Care –Counseling Resiliency TrainingResiliency Training TAG PhilosophyTAG Philosophy De-Stigmatize CounselingDe-Stigmatize Counseling YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

Transition Challenges Changes in the WorkplaceChanges in the Workplace Changes in TechnologyChanges in Technology Personnel / Policy Changes Personnel / Policy Changes ApprehensionApprehension Feelings of Guilt for Being GoneFeelings of Guilt for Being Gone Work Absence for Medical AppointmentsWork Absence for Medical Appointments YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

Reduced ProductivityReduced Productivity Inability to ConcentrateInability to Concentrate Decreased Ability to Handle StressDecreased Ability to Handle Stress IrritabilityIrritability DisorganizationDisorganization Lack of EmotionLack of Emotion OverworkingOverworking TYPICAL REACTIONS: TYPICAL REACTIONS: DenialDenial Macho – Work It Out AloneMacho – Work It Out Alone Alcohol / Drugs Alcohol / Drugs Self-MedicationSelf-Medication MANIFESTATIONS OF OPERATIONAL STRESS IN THE WORKPLACE YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

Employee Transition How would you treat an employee who just suffered a tragic event? How would you treat an employee who just suffered a tragic event? Death of a Parent / ChildDeath of a Parent / Child Involved in Serious Vehicle AccidentInvolved in Serious Vehicle Accident Physical InjuryPhysical Injury Going Through a DivorceGoing Through a Divorce ?????????????????? YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

EMPLOYEEEMPLOYEE Conduct Re-Entrance Interview: Identify potential issuesConduct Re-Entrance Interview: Identify potential issues Ask how employee can be helpedAsk how employee can be helped Use caution when assigning new tasks to employeeUse caution when assigning new tasks to employee Set clear prioritiesSet clear priorities Encourage employees to provide supportEncourage employees to provide support Encourage use of Employee Assistance ProgramsEncourage use of Employee Assistance Programs TRANSITIONTRANSITION YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

EMPLOYER SUPPORT OF THE GUARD AND RESERVE

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve Since 9/11 employers have provided unwaivering support for our deployed Veterans and their families Without continued support for our Soldiers, Airmen, and their families the future of the Reserve Components are at risk YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

Reasons Members of the National Guard Make Good Employees Leadership Professionalism Responsibility Mission-Critical Skills Physical Condition “Can-Do” Attitude Calm Under Pressure First-Class Image On Time, All the Time Global Perspective YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

Eligibility to Join the Guard or Reserves Year Old Men and Women YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

EDUCATION TEST SCORE FITNESS Eligibility to Join the Guard or Reserves Year Old Men and Women YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

EDUCATION TEST SCORE FITNESS CRIMINAL DRUGS MORAL Eligibility to Join the Guard or Reserves Year Old Men and Women YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

EDUCATION TEST SCORE FITNESS CRIMINAL DRUGS MORAL Eligibility to Join the Guard or Reserves Year Old Men and Women 3 OUT OF 10 YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

A GENTLE REMINDER TO KEEP YOUR LIFE IN PERSPECTIVE

WHEN A SOLDIER COMES HOME, HE OR SHE MAY FIND IT HARD... YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

... TO LISTEN TO HIS SON WHINE ABOUT BEING BORED YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

... TO KEEP A STRAIGHT FACE WHEN PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT POTHOLES YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

... TO BE TOLERANT OF PEOPLE WHO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE HASSLE OF GETTING READY FOR WORK YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

... TO BE UNDERSTANDING WHEN A CO-WORKER COMPLAINS ABOUT A BAD NIGHT’S SLEEP YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

... TO BE SILENT WHEN PEOPLE PRAY TO GOD FOR A NEW CAR YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

... TO CONTROL HIS PANIC WHEN HIS WIFE TELLS HIM HE NEEDS TO DRIVE SLOWER YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

... TO BE COMPASSIONATE WHEN A BUSINESSMAN EXPRESSES A FEAR OF FLYING YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

... TO KEEP FROM RIDICULING SOMEONE WHO COMPLAINS ABOUT HOT WEATHER YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

... TO CONTROL HIS FRUSTRATION WHEN A COLLEAGUE COMPLAINS ABOUT COLD COFFEE YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

... TO BE CIVIL TO PEOPLE WHO COMPLAIN ABOUT THEIR JOBS YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

... TO JUST WALK AWAY WHEN SOMEONE SAYS THEY ONLY GET TWO WEEKS OF VACATION A YEAR YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

... TO BE FORGIVING WHEN SOMEONE SAYS HOW HARD IT IS TO HAVE A NEW BABY IN THE HOUSE YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

51 THE ONLY THING TOUGHER THAN BEING A SOLDIER...

52 is loving one.

AND WHEN YOU MEET ONE OF OUR SOLDIERS OR AIRMEN, PLEASE REMEMBER WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH AND SHOW THEM A LITTLE COMPASSION AND TOLERANCE AND WHEN YOU MEET ONE OF OUR SOLDIERS OR AIRMEN, PLEASE REMEMBER WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN THROUGH AND SHOW THEM A LITTLE COMPASSION AND TOLERANCE A GENTLE REMINDER TO KEEP YOUR LIFE IN PERSPECTIVE

54 We Appreciate the help and patience you provide our veterans. THANKS!

YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE QUESTIONS ?