1. Understanding Military Culture

2. Understanding Military Culture
Branches of the Military
Army- Founded in 1775
Referred to as Soldiers or Warriors
Navy- Founded in 1775
Referred to as Sailors
Marines- Founded in 1775
Referred to as Marines
Coast Guard- Founded in 1790
Referred to as Guardians
Air Force- Founded in 1947
Referred to as Airmen

3. Understanding Military Culture
Branch Components
Active Duty
Full-time, paid through federal government
All branches have an active component
During deployments Service Members may be required to work long hours to complete missions
Reserve
Part-time, paid through federal government
Typically train one weekend a month and two weeks a fiscal year during Annual Training (AT)
May be called suddenly to active duty orders/assignments or deployments
Leave family, jobs, school and community
National Guard
Part-time, paid through state and federal government
Army and Air Force only

4. Understanding Military Culture
Deployment length:
Army
Typical deployment is 12 months.
Reserve/Guard soldiers may miss 2-3 semesters.
Navy
Typically serve on ships, some are assigned to other branches
Sea to shore ratio depends on job and rank
Marine Corps
Marine deployments are typically 6-9 months
Marine Reservists could miss 1-2 semesters
Air Force
Standard deployment length is 4 months
Reserve/Guard may miss 1-2 semesters
Coast Guard
Most units do not deploy because of domestic mission
Three month deployments for select units and special missions

5. Understanding Military Culture
Rank and Structure
There are three types of rank:
Enlisted- includes noncommissioned officers and petty officers (pay grades E-1 through E-9) (84% the military is enlisted)
Warrant Officers- highly specialized subject matter experts (pay grades W-1 through W-5)
Commissioned Officers- highest ranking officials, either attended a military service academy or ROTC at a four-year college (or attended an officer cadet training course as prior enlisted) (pay grades O-1 through O-10) (14% of the military)
For a visual guide to enlisted rank structure, go to:
For officer rank, go to:

6. Understanding Military Culture
Job Specialty:
MOS: Military (or Marine) Occupational Specialty
NEC: Navy Enlisted Classification
Rate: Coast Guard term for job title
AFSC: Air Force Specialty Code
MOS/NEC/Rate/AFSC indicates the type of job, duties or specialty performed in the military.
For example: In the Army, Infantry Soldiers (Basic Rifleman) have an MOS designation of 11B (or 11C if they have additional training as mortar man), but in the Marine Corps an infantryman has an 03 (0311=rifleman) indicator.
Every enlisted Service Member goes through Basic Combat Training or “Boot Camp”!

7. Understanding Military Culture
In Basic Combat Training…
You are broken down to be built back up.
You are stripped of your individuality.
Degredation ceremony-used to initiate people into a total institution such as mental hospitals, prisons, and military units. The purpose is to deprive people of their former identities and dignity in order to make them more accepting of external control. (about.com)
Team work, camaraderie and espirit de corps are all emphasized.
You are assigned a “Battle Buddy”
Introduced to a structured chain-of-command
You are trained for combat and to be ready when called upon

8. Understanding Military Culture
You learn a new language…
Military acronyms:
AWOL-Absent With Out Leave
BAH-Basic Allowance for Housing
DFAC-Dining Facility
DZ-Drop Zone
FOB-Forward Operating Base
G.I.-General Issue
IED-Improvised Explosive Device
JAG-Judge Advocate General
KIA-Killed in Action
MEDEVAC-MEDical EVACuation
MIA-Missing in Action
RECON-Reconnaissance
SOP-Standard Operating Procedures
OIF-Operation Iraqi Freedom
OEF-Operation Enduring Freedom
Operation New Dawn
GWOT-Global War on Terrorism
VA-Veterans Administration
NCO- Non-Commissioned Officer
ROTC-Reserve Officer Training Corps
DoD-Department of Defense
MRE-Meal, Ready to Eat
OPSEC-Operation Security
EAP-Emergency Action Plan
ROE-Rules of Engagement
RUF-Rules of the Use of Force
OPORD-Operations Order
FRAGO-Fragmentary Order
Dependent-Spouse, child, or other person who is dependent of the service member for support
AT-Annual Training
MUTA-Military Unit Training Assembly

9. Understanding Military Culture
The military…
Emphasizes group cohesion & espirit de corps that connect service members to each other.
Has a distinct set of ceremony and etiquette that create shared rituals and common identities.
Maintains a high standard of discipline that helps organize and structure the armed forces
Emphasizes the importance of always doing your best and giving 100% (anything less isn’t acceptable and, in combat, can lead to people getting hurt or killed.)
Emphasizes attention to detail.
Emphasizes punctuality
If you show up early, you’re on time. If you show up on time, you’re late.
Establishes a professional, or warrior, ethos of loyalty and selfless-service that maintains order during battle.
Mission First!

10. Core Values Courage Integrity first Service before Self
Loyalty
Duty
Respect
Selfless-Service
Honor
Integrity
Personal Courage
Courage
Commitment
Integrity first
Service before
Self
Excellence in all we do
Honor Courage
Devotion to Duty
Core Values

11. Understanding Military Culture
Understanding our current conflicts (2001-Present)…
Global War on Terrorism
Operation Active Endeavor (Mediterranean Sea) 2001-Present
Operation Enduring Freedom (2002-Present)
Afghanistan
Philippines
Horn of Africa
Trans Sahara
Operation Iraqi Freedom ( )
Operation New Dawn (Iraq after August 2010)
Service members can be deployed multiple times in support of these conflicts.

12. Understanding Military Culture
Common military stressors/experiences
Acculturation into the Armed Forces (Basic Combat Training/Boot Camp)
Exposure to combat or life threatening situations
Loss of a close friend, team member or leader
Inner conflict/self-doubt
Wear and tear
Operational Stress-Lack of sleep/rest
High expectations at all times
Physically and mentally worn down

13. Understanding Military Culture
Common myths about the military:
People who join have low intelligence or are without opportunities
Women have a hard time achieving success
Military jobs and training have little relation with the civilian world
The military is only for people who like war/fighting
War=Combat
Once you go to war, you come home and are done with your military service
The military will let anyone in who applies

14. Transitioning into the Civilian World
Transitioning service members can often…
Feel “lost” or “alone” (no one understands them or can relate to their experiences)
Struggle with not having structure or goals
Worry about finances or taking care of their family
Miss the adrenaline rush associated with various military experiences
Become easily annoyed with civilians who take things less seriously or are too “laid back”
May have anger or resentment towards those who did not serve or towards other military personnel
Feel and edge or tense
Feel that everything back home has changed
Feel down or depressed soon after being separated from service or coming home from deployment

15. Understanding Veterans
Myths about Veterans:
They’re “crazy” or “ticking time-bombs”
Ready to snap at any moment
They’re “baby killers” and “war mongers”
They all have PTSD or TBI issues
About 11-20% of OIF/OEF Veterans, and 10% of Gulf War
Veterans experience PTSD.

16. Understanding Veterans
They challenges they face…
Service Connected Injuries/Disabilities
PTSD and TBI
Sleep issues
Hearing loss/tinnitus
Back/Leg problems
Transition from military to civilian life
Concerns about personal safety (hyper- vigilance)
Lack of strong support network/structure (interdependence)
Financial issues
Retirement issues

17. Veteran Strengths Leadership Characteristics:
Lead by example
Carefully consider directions
Inspire and influence
Providing purpose, direction and motivation
Collaborative Team Member:
Complete their duties by accomplishing
tasks as part of a team.
Flexibility and Adaptability:
Learned to be flexible and adaptable to meet the constantly changing situation, mission and environment.

18. Veteran Strengths Self-Directed: Outstanding Work habits:
Trained to understand and solve difficult problems and complex tasks.
Their ability to function efficiently independent makes them dependable and reliable.
Outstanding Work habits:
Possess pride and enthusiasm for their work.
Personal integrity by adhering to moral principles.
Invested in their Community:
Strong desire to be productive citizens and serve their community with selfless sacrifice.

19. Building Rapport with Veterans
Share if you have a personal connection to the military
Validate their military background and show “respect” to build rapport and trust
Being punctual
Directly connecting to needed services
Giving clear steps for “mission” that needs to be accomplished
Follow-up after appointments (stay on their radar)
Need to be direct and concise with requests
Be clear and up front
Being mindful of political sensitivities/patriotism
Don’t ask the wrong questions
Know current Veteran Resources available in the community, at the VA and other resources to support Veterans and their families

20. USMC Wounded Warrior Regiment
GySgt Heydo Zando
District Injured Support Coordinator (DISC)
Warrior Summit

21. Wounded Warrior Regiment Mission
Provides and enables assistance to wounded, ill, and injured (WII) Marines, sailors attached to or in support of Marine units, and their family members in order to assist them as they return to duty or transition to civilian life.
Serves the total force – active duty, reserve, retired, and veteran Marines.
The only official Marine Corps unit charged with providing non- medical care to WII Marines.
Wound
IED Blast
Gunshot
Traumatic Brain Injury
Training Accident
Vehicle Accident
Post Traumatic Stress
Cancer
Chronic Illness
Mental Health
Illness
Injury

22. Wounded Warrior Regiment support is not a factor of luck and location
Global Reach
Wounded Warrior Regiment support is not a factor of luck and location

23. The Recovery Mission It’s a relationship, not a process
Providing individualized support through the phases of recovery.
Photo by Dan Gross, The Gazette
The WWR is strategically positioned in order to establish a personal relationship with each Marine. The needs of our WII Marines and their families can be extensive and vary in type and intensity throughout the phases of recovery. There is no “one size fits all” approach to care and the Regiment surrounds Marines with a specialized care team as the first line of offense, helping the Marine and their family navigate their recovery mission.
Stabilization
The stabilization phase begins at the point of injury or diagnosis and ends with release from acute inpatient care (when the Marine is discharged from the hospital). Medical treatment is the top priority.
Rehabilitation
The rehabilitation phase generally begins when the Marine moves to out-patient status and continues through the tapering off of treatments such as physical therapy. Medical treatments are still a priority, but the line of operation goals and preferred end-state become increasingly more important.
Reintegration
The reintegration phase is when the Marine prepares to either return to full duty or separate from the military and return to civilian life.
There are many stories of recovery success – Marines are resilient. I would like to take a moment to share a few with you.
Sgt. Adam Jacks:
Sgt Adam M. Jacks went to boot camp on June Parris Island SC and graduated in September of 05. First duty station was at Marine Barracks in Washington D.C from Dec attached to Bravo Company 3rd Plt. Performed duties as a ceremonial marcher and then was selected for Dover Delaware funeral detail to carry off transfer cases that brought our KIA back from theater. Also was on company's firing party that did the 21 gun salute at funerals at Arlington National Cemetery.
Deployed three times with 3/8 where completed three combat tours: one to Iraq and two to Afghanistan. During his second tour in Afghanistan on April he was struck by a IED while conducting dismounted patrol through the green zone in Heydirabad In the Upper Gerisk Valley Helmad Province Afghanistan. Injuries sustained from that blast resulted in the amputation of the right leg below the knee, scaring and shrapnel wounds on his left leg.
He was accepted for EPLD, has reenlisted and hopes to become a Marine Corps Drill Instructor down at Parris Island SC.
Marines Stay in the FIGHT! 23

24. WWR Population and Demographics
As of August 2014
(Active Duty / Reserve)
Complex Care
Incident Type: Joined and External Population
Marines Joined to the WWR
East: 315
West: 177
External Marines Supported by an RCC
TOTAL + =
PTSD, Training Accident
492
453
945
Auto Accident, Cancer
Ill/Injured In Combat Zone
Ill/Injured Outside Combat Zone
Joined Marines :
Transferred by Service Record (TR/SR) or Temporary Assigned Duty (TAD)
Assigned an RCC
External Marines :
Not joined to the WWR (Marines who have stayed with their parent unit)
Assigned an RCC
Receive support from the WWR (example)
Patients supported by the WWR at a MTF (not part of total number) 50
Combat Wounded
TBI, Gun Shot, Burns
N=945
Source: (MCTFS)
Source: Marine Corps Total Force System (MCTFS)
22%
Marines joined to WWR or supported by an RCC in various IDES phases
Marines joined to the WWR or supported by an RCC in the IDES Process
589
Total Marines in the
IDES Process
2,730
MEB Phase
154
210
169 44
PEB Phase
Transition
VA Benefits
Source: Veterans Tracking Application (VTA)
(12 Cases Between Phases)
Veteran
3,598
Sergeant Merlin German Wounded Warrior
Call Center
764 Disability retired and Veteran Marines receiving, as needed, short or long-term recovery support
District Injured Support Coordinator Support
Source: DISC Program Manager
Marines who remain with parent unit
WWR Staffing
Marine: 320
Civilians: 120
Contractors: 104
Total: 544
(Active Duty and Reserve)
(GS and NAF)
29,096
Veteran
Active Duty / Reserve
Source: MCWIITS

25. Marines Recovering at their Parent Units
CMC expressed intent that WII Marines should remain assigned to their parent units, so long as their medical conditions allow and their units can support them.
WWR provides services to help Commander’s ensure WII Marines’ productive recoveries via:
Wounded Warrior Battalions East and West Contact Center: Outreach to Marines (Active Duty and Reserve) who remain with their parent commands
Recovery Care Coordinators: RCCs support qualified external cases with Comprehensive Recovery Plans
WWR Medical Cell: Medical Advocacy (TBI and PTS) and liaison to the medical community
District Injured Support Coordinators: Support transitioning Marines in their communities
Administrative Support (WWR has sole responsibility for Traumatic Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance, Special Compensation for Assistance With Activities of Daily Living, Pay and Allowance Continuation)
Integrated Disability Evaluation System Advocacy
WWR provides Commanders tools and guidance to help them support their WII Marines:
“Does my Marine require an RCC?”
“Does my Marine qualify for special compensation?” 25

26. Communication / Outreach
Communication is Key to Support
WWR Call Center / Contact Centers
Sergeant Merlin German Wounded Warrior Call Center
Monthly call volume: 9,500 outreach / 1,200 incoming
Target population: Veteran Marines (TDRL, Purple Heart, PCR)
Population total: Nearly 30,000
Wounded Warrior Battalion Contact Centers
Monthly call volume (combined): 3,500 outreach / 400 incoming
Target population: Recovering Marines with their parent commands
Population total: Nearly 4,000
Social Media
Facebook
Includes a Support Form
Over 100,000 Followers!
Twitter
YouTube
Flickr
WWR Mobile Application
Recent launch of version 2.0
Provides prompt and easy access to WWR resources
Over 6,000 downloads!
WWR Quarterly Report
One-page report suitable for internal and external audiences
Downloadable from the WWR website
Sergeant Merlin German

27. The Future of the WWR
Whether at war or in times of peace the WWR will continue to care for our WII Marines.
Never before has recovery care been so comprehensive.
Care assets are aligned under a single command – the WWR.
Support must be enduring in view of issues resulting from the current decade of war:
Catastrophic injuries and illnesses requiring acute care
Traumatic brain injuries
Psychological health problems including PTS
Conditions such as TBI and PTS are not solved by short-term care, and will require continuing services.
“I think it’s probably one of the greatest success stories coming out of this war.”
“The wounds of this war will be with us for a long time.”
“We also have typical things that happen to our young men and women – cancer, accidents, tragedies that happen.”
“My sense is that it will be around for a long time.”
Gen Amos: Speaking about the WWR

28. Contact Information:
John P. Teske, Psy.D.
Jeremy Galica
GySgt. Zando
Wendy Burdick
(x66810)

29. Thank you for your contribution to helping our veteran students
Questions ?
Thank you for your contribution to
helping our veteran students