MILITARY CULTURAL COMPETENCY February 18 2016 Jason Wentworth

MILITARY CULTURAL COMPETENCY February 18, 2016 Jason Wentworth, Region 5 Coordinator

Why is this important? 2 It’s important that all who interact with or care for veterans have a basic understanding of military culture. Basic knowledge regarding structure, policies and expectations of the military can promote a stronger connection, build trust and help you better assist veterans and their families.

We will learn about: 3 � Branches of service and their core missions � Military rank structure � Active versus reserve component status � General and deployment related issues.

4 Branches of the Armed Services

ARMY 5 Mainly responsible for land-based military operations. Oldest and largest branch of the military Motto - “This We Will Defend”

NAVY 6 A seagoing force to defend our seas and protect our shores. Deter aggression and maintain freedom of the seas Motto – “Not for self, but country”

AIR FORCE 7 Conducts military operations in air, space and cyberspace. Motto – “Fly, Fight, and Win!”

MARINE CORPS 8 No such thing as a former Marine. “Once a Marine, always a Marine. ” Motto – “First to Fight” Semper Fidelis Marines to remain faithful to mission, corps, and country.

COAST GUARD 9 Falls under the Department of Homeland Security but operates with the Navy during periods of war. Motto – “Always Ready”

Chain of Command 10 Ensures flow of information Provides command control Maintains order and discipline Defines lines of authority Rank defines leadership and responsibility for personnel, equipment, and mission grows progressively q

Military Rank Structure 11 Rank Structure 2% 14% 84% Enlisted Warrant Officer Commissioned Officers

Active versus Reserve Components 12 There are cultural differences between the Active and Reserve Components that are important to understand. Active Component: � Works “full-time” for the military � Full-time hours = Full-time benefits � On call 24 hrs/day, 365 days/yr � Permanent force of the military � Approximately 1. 3 million members

Reserve Component 13 Part-time duties. One weekend a month, two weeks per year. Can be activated to augment Active Component. 7 Components: � US Army National Guard � US Air National Guard � US Army Reserve � US Navy Reserve � US Air Force Reserve � US Marine Corps Reserve � US Coast Guard Reserve

Difference between National Guard and Reserve 14 National Guard has dual mission – defending both the state and nation, and is subject to mobilization by both the Governor and the President. Reserves are federal troops with a federal mission.

Culture 15 The military works on a clear form of reward and punishment. Along with discipline and control comes focus. Focus is important to mission success. A service member who may have either physical or emotional stress may keep this to themselves until they can no longer manage it, due to (for instance): infrastructure of their family fracturing as a result; employment is in jeopardy or lost; they simply cannot function.

Norms 16 Dedication to mission and country Family unit is also part of military Authoritarian structure • Necessary to life or death Complex social system • Officers don’t mix socially with enlisted There is no space for “weakness. ” One must carry their weight and support the mission at all costs.

When you talk with the veteran 17 Do not fake interest, knowledge, and/or experience with this population. They will know. Do not say you understand how they feel. Do not assume war was horrible for them. Do not assume all require mental health treatment. Be direct. No “B. S. ” Those who have served will know the difference between faking the talk and walking the walk. Above all, respecting and validating someone’s experience is universal. This skill applies here with veterans and military personnel especially. Be dependable. Accountability is a very important trait taught and reinforced in the military. Be curious. A genuine, respectful and authentic curiosity about someone’s service will translate to being interested and willing to learn about the person’s experience.

Combat Experience 18 The most challenging stressors seem to be loss, exposure to trauma, situations that create inner conflict, and overall wear and tear. Even those who are not deployed to combat zones can experience one or all of these stressors, as a need for commitment, high responsibility, frequent changes, and long hours are experienced whether deployed or not.

Why They Join? 19 Servicemembers join for different reasons. And everyone has their own experience. Some find the experience challenging and feel energized, committed, and strengthened by it. Other’s find that the accumulation of stressors at different times can take a toll on their physical and mental health.

The Transition 20 Foxhole to Cubicle “I had to resist barking out orders and telling my subordinates to do push-ups for making mistakes. ”

Impact on Families 21 As for the family; frequent moves, absence of the military parent, and other stresses are common for military families. However the deployment of a parent to a combat zone represents a challenge of a different magnitude.

Those who serve in the military typically: 22

800 -MICH-VET (800 -642 -4838) Michigan. Veterans. com @MIVeteran /MIVeterans