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Arkansas National Guard. “Operational Stress”. Supporting Veterans on Campus. Major General. WILLIAM D. WOFFORD. Agenda. National Guard Missions Federal State Operational Stress Building Resiliency. Our Dual Mission.
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Arkansas National Guard “Operational Stress” Supporting Veterans on Campus Major General WILLIAM D. WOFFORD
Agenda • National Guard Missions • Federal • State • Operational Stress • Building Resiliency
Our Dual Mission “Maintain properly trained and equipped units available for prompt mobilization for war, national emergency or as otherwise required”
Federal Mission Always Ready…Always There…
State Missions Always Ready…Always There…
Agenda • National Guard Missions • Federal • State • Operational Stress • Building Resiliency
Warning Signs STOP • Traffic Signs • Stock Market Indicators • Leading/Lagging Business Indicators • Health Warning Signs: • Blood Pressure • Cholesterol Count 3rd Qtr
Warning Signs • Military Warning Signs: • Recruiting • Maintenance • Training • Readiness
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder • Walter Reed . . .
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder • Walter Reed . . . • Army Community Service • Pulaski Tech • Guardsmen: • Drinking Problems • Divorce Rate • Suicide WARNING SIGNS IGNORED
Operational Stress / PTSD • PTSD is an anxiety disorder after someone has experienced a traumatic event: • Combat or Military Exposure • Police / Fire / EMT • Sexual or Physical Assault • Child Abuse • Vehicle Accident • Natural Disasters INDIVIDUAL GENUINELY BELIEVES THEIR LIFE OR THE LIVES OF OTHERS ARE IN IMMINENT DANGER
Operational Stress WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE IN THE WORKPLACE AND SCHOOL? • Reduced Productivity • Inability to Concentrate • Decreased Ability to Handle Stress • Irritability • Disorganization • Lack of Emotion • Overworking • TYPICAL REACTIONS: • Denial • Macho – Work It Out Alone • Alcohol / Drugs • Self-Medication
Transition Challenges • Changes in the Workplace & School • Changes in Technology • Personnel / Policy Changes • Apprehension • Feelings of Guilt for Being Gone • Work / School Absence for Medical Appointments
Transition Considerations • How would you treat a fellow employee or student who just suffered a tragic emotional event? • Death of a Parent / Child • Involved in Serious Vehicle Accident • Physical Injury • Going Through a Divorce • ?????????
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder • PTSD is not just fallout from the Vietnam war • It has been there in every major conflict • 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 combat
Agenda • National Guard Missions • Federal • State • Operational Stress • Building Resiliency
Joint Services Support Branch Arkansas National Guard * Family Programs * Transition Assistance * Reintegration * Psychological Health * Employer Support * Survivor Outreach * Military One Source * Military and Family Life Consultants
Operational Stress vs PTSD • Time to Decompress • Reintegration . . . • Pre- / During- / Post-Deployment • Health Care • Counseling • Resiliency Training • TAG Philosophy • De-Stigmatize Counseling • Outreach to Families & Employers
WHEN A SOLDIER COMES HOME, HE MAY FIND IT HARD . . .
. . . TO LISTEN TO HIS SON WHINE ABOUT BEING BORED
. . . TO KEEP A STRAIGHT FACE WHEN PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT POTHOLES
. . . TO BE TOLERANT OF PEOPLE WHO COMPLAIN ABOUT THE HASSLE OF GETTING READY FOR WORK
. . . TO BE UNDERSTANDING WHEN A CO-WORKER COMPLAINS ABOUT A BAD NIGHT’S SLEEP
. . . TO CONTROL HIS PANIC WHEN HIS WIFE TELLS HIM HE NEEDS TO DRIVE SLOWER
. . . TO BE COMPASSIONATE WHEN A BUSINESSMAN EXPRESSES A FEAR OF FLYING
. . . TO KEEP FROM LAUGHING WHEN PARENTS SAY THEY’RE AFRAID TO SEND THEIR KIDS OFF TO SUMMER CAMP
. . . TO KEEP FROM RIDICULING SOMEONE WHO COMPLAINS ABOUT HOT WEATHER
. . . TO CONTROL HIS FRUSTRATION WHEN A COLLEAGUE GRIPES ABOUT HIS COFFEE BEING COLD
. . . TO REMAIN CALM WHEN HIS DAUGHTER COMPLAINS ABOUT HAVING TO WALK THE DOG
. . . TO JUST WALK AWAY WHEN SOMEONE SAYS THEY ONLY GET TWO WEEKS OF VACATION A YEAR
. . . TO BE FORGIVING WHEN SOMEONE SAYS HOW HARD IT IS TO HAVE A NEW BABY IN THE HOUSE
A GENTLE REMINDER TO KEEP YOUR LIFE IN PERSPECTIVE 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
THANKS! We Appreciate the help and patience you provide our veterans on your campus.
National GuardWarriors Are you concerned about one of your employees/students? If they are or have been a Service Member, we are there for you. Please call us to see what assistance may be available.
National GuardWarriors Extreme Emergency – Dial 911 Local 24-Hour Contacts: Ronnie Goff(501) 242-1867 Director of Psychological Health Chaplain (CPT) Jeremy Miller (501) 212-5621 State Chaplain CPT Tanya Phillips (501) 554-3974 State Suicide Prevention Program Manager
National GuardWarriors Organizations: Military One Source(800) 342-9647 Ark. Dept. of Veteran Affairs (501) 370-3820 Vet Center (Little Rock) (501) 324-6395 Vet Center (Fayetteville) (479) 582-7152