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Citizen Soldiers in the Workplace: Supporting Operational Stress and Building Resiliency

Explore the dual missions of the National Guard, the warning signs and symptoms of operational stress, and strategies for building resiliency in the workplace. Discover how to support employees experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

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Citizen Soldiers in the Workplace: Supporting Operational Stress and Building Resiliency

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  9. OPERATIONAL STRESS YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

  10. Warning Signs STOP • Traffic Signs • Stock Market Indicators • Leading/Lagging Business Indicators • Health Warning Signs: • Blood Pressure • Cholesterol Count 3rd Qtr YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

  11. Warning Signs • Military Warning Signs: • Recruiting • Maintenance • Training • Readiness YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

  12. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder • Walter Reed . . . • Army Community Service • University President • Guardsmen: • Drinking Problems • Divorce Rate • Suicide WARNING SIGNS IGNORED YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

  13. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder • 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 YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

  14. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Operational Stress • 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, . . .) WHAT CAUSES OPERATIONAL STRESS ???? YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  22. 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 YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

  23. BUILDING RESILIENCY YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

  24. 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

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

  26. Transition Challenges • Changes in the Workplace • Changes in Technology • Personnel / Policy Changes • Apprehension • Feelings of Guilt for Being Gone • Work Absence for Medical Appointments YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

  27. MANIFESTATIONS OF OPERATIONAL STRESS IN THE WORKPLACE • 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 YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

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

  29. EMPLOYEE TRANSITION • Conduct Re-Entrance Interview: Identify potential issues • Ask how employee can be helped • Use caution when assigning new tasks to employee • Set clear priorities • Encourage employees to provide support • Encourage use of Employee Assistance Programs YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

  30. EMPLOYER SUPPORT OF THE GUARD AND RESERVE YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

  31. 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

  32. 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

  33. Eligibility to Join the Guard or Reserves 17-25 Year Old Men and Women YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

  34. Eligibility to Join the Guard or Reserves 17-25 Year Old Men and Women EDUCATION TEST SCORE FITNESS YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

  35. Eligibility to Join the Guard or Reserves 17-25 Year Old Men and Women CRIMINAL DRUGS MORAL EDUCATION TEST SCORE FITNESS YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

  36. Eligibility to Join the Guard or Reserves 17-25 Year Old Men and Women 3 OUT OF 10 CRIMINAL DRUGS MORAL EDUCATION TEST SCORE FITNESS YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

  37. A GENTLE REMINDER TO KEEP YOUR LIFE IN PERSPECTIVE YOUR NATIONAL GUARD: ALWAYS READY ~~ ALWAYS THERE

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  50. . . . 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

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