National Service Guide to Military Cultural

Competency

Michael BrownKoby Langley

Margie Legowski

January 24, 2013

www.serviceandinclusion.org

Toll-free hotline: 888-491-0326 (voice/TTY)

National Partnerships

Gentle Reminders…

1. All lines have been muted2. Please ask questions, share ideas, and comments:

• Freely use the “Text Chat,” and/or “Q & A” fields to pose questions to the presenters, or even the audience

• We will occasionally pause for questions3. We have multiple opportunities for interaction and

discussion4. The session will be recorded

National Service Guide to Military Cultural Competency

Michael BrownKoby Langley

Margie Legowski

January 24, 2013

Operation ABLE Community

The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS) is embarking on OAC, a pilot to demonstrate the benefits of a National Service experience for veterans with disabilities who are re-entering civilian life. National Service can provide direction and purpose, allowing veterans to continue contributing their skills and expertise to improving lives.

The Crafting of a Veteran

Michael Brown• Why I joined

• Military Career

• Education

• Current

What is a Veteran?

What is a Veteran?

“Someone who, at one point in his life wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America' for an

amount of 'up to and including my life”. - Unknown

The Department of Veterans Affairs Defines it as:

“Veteran means a person who served in the active military, naval, or air service and who was discharged or released

under conditions other than dishonorable.”

(VHA HANDBOOK 1601A.02)

Branches of the U.S. Armed Services

Branch: Nick Name:•Air Force Airman•Army Soldier•Coast Guard Guardians•Marine Corps Marine•Navy Sailor

Other:•Military Personnel Service Members•Dependents Family Members

AIRFORCE

Born: 1947

Primary mission: To defend the U.S. (and its interests) through exploitation of air and space

ARMY

Born: 1775

Primary Mission: To protect and defend the U.S. (and its interests) by way of ground troops, armor (tanks), artillery, attack helicopters, tactical nuclear weapons, etc

COAST GUARD

Born: 1790

Primary Mission:To provide law enforcement, boating safety, sea rescue, and illegal immigration control. However, the President of the U.S. can transfer part or all of the Coast Guard to the Department of the Navy in times of conflict

MARINE CORPS

Born: 1775

Primary Mission:To assault, capture, and control "beach heads," which then provide a route to attack the enemy from almost any direction

NAVY

Born: 1775

Primary Mission:To maintain the freedom of the seas

NATIONAL GUARD & AIR NATIONAL GUARD

What’s the Difference?

• Active Duty- 8 year contract, 3 year minimum full-time

• Reserves- Active/Inactive Ready Reserves (IRR)

• National Guard/Air National Guard

Personnel

There are three types of employees for the Armed Forces:

•Officer- Management

•Enlisted- General Workforce

•Reservist- Part-time Workers/On Call

It Starts with a Reason…

The Lifestyle You Knew Exists No More

• Boot camp

• Customs

• Uniforms

• Language

A New Beginning…

Terminology & Acronyms

• Deck• Bulkhead• Scuttlebutt• Head• Leave• Rank• Chain of Command

http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/dod_dictionary/

Terminology & Acronyms, Cont.

• OIF

• OEF

• GWOT

• UCMJ

• MOS/Rate

• IED

• DD-214

Deployment Cycle

Preparing for Deployment

Deployment

Post-Deployment

Typical National Service Member Cycle

Warning: Content may be disturbing or harmful to those who have experienced combat or other trauma. The following slides are

courtesy of Cornell University, Disability Services Office.

A service member coming home may

experience…

Common Disabilities and Challenges of this Conflict

• PTSD/MST

• TBI

• Impaired vision/Blind

• Hearing loss/Tinnitus

• Loss of limb

• Body disfigurement

• Back, shoulder and knee pain

• Suicide

• Unemployment

• Stigma

Common Functional Limitations of PTSD

• Detachment, loss of interest, numbing

• Hyper vigilance

• Concentration issues

• Anger outbursts

• Intense guilt

• Memory deficits

• Avoidance behaviors

• “Thousand mile stare”

• Flashbacks

• Sleep issues/night terrors

Common Functional Limitations of TBI

• Difficulty learning and synthesizing new information

• Decreased Processing Speed• Working memory deficiencies• Long and short term memory deficiencies• Poor decision making /problem solving skills• Unaware of difficulties• Inability to focus and concentrate• Fatigue

Common Stereotypes About Veterans

• All Veterans are in crisis• All Veterans can obtain VA services• All Veterans have served in combat• You have to be in combat to have PTSD• Veterans are angry• Veterans are men

Best Practices• Educate yourself on the military • Be aware of mental health challenges and be

knowledgeable of where to refer if needed• Understand that the transition back into civilian

life is again another culture shock and the more structured the program the better the Veteran will do

• If certain steps need to be taken, have a list of the steps for the Veteran to follow and have point of contacts for them to reach out to

• Actively listen to the Veteran’s needs -Motivational Interviewing (OARS)

• Identify the chain of command

Best Practices, Cont.• Educate the Veteran on what services you offer and

how the Veteran (and family) will benefit from your program

• Be straight up, if your program will not fit their’ needs let them know

• Become acquainted with Veteran resources in the community these take many forms– DAV, VA, Student Veteran Organizations,

American Legion, VFW• Keep in mind that accommodations may be needed

but the Veteran will be apprehensive about asking • Give the Veteran an opportunity to lead• Create a Veterans mentorship group• Lastly, do not talk about military service unless

there are certain questions that need to be answered or the Veteran brings it up in conversation

This presentation is dedicated to those who served their country and paid the

ultimate price for our freedom.

May the memory of them and their sacrifices never be forgotten:

Adam SmithTimothy Gibson

Kyle PaulsonAlex Ghane

Robert MacrumThomas Hull