Understanding the Military Mind

1. Understanding the Military Mind Tom Kadela, Ph.D. thomas.kadela@va.gov 618-997-5311 ext. 54759 Behavioral Medicine Department of Veterans Affairs

2. Understanding Military Culture Five Service Branches • Army • Navy • Air Force • Marines • Coast Guard

3. Why Serve? • Serving one’s country/Patriotism • Family tradition/Expectations • Opportunity to travel/Adventure • Assistance with pursuing a college education • Job/financial security • Gain their independence • Test one’s physical and mental limits • Support their family • As an aversion to being sent to jail*

4. Watch Out For Name Calling Soldiers are not in the… • Navy (“Sailors”) • Air Force (“Airmen”) • Marines are (“Marines”) • Soldiers are in the Army • Service Member is a good generic term

5. Identify as Veteran? • Many do not identify themselves as a “Veteran” • Appears with both younger and Vietnam generations • Younger (my Grandpa was a Vet) • Vietnam (I didn’t serve in combat) • Women are less likely to identify as Veterans • Antidotal Reasons • Societal Exceptions of Gender

6. Army • Founded 1775 • Oldest service branch • Under the Dept. of the Army • Motto: “This We’ll Defend” • Service Members: • -562,000 active • -567,000 reserve and national guard

7. Navy • Founded 1775 • Dept. of the Navy • Motto: “Non sibi sed patriae” (not for self, but for country) (unofficial) • Service Members: • -317,500 active • -109,000 reserve

8. Air Force • Founded in 1947 • Originally the Army Air Corps • Under the Dept. of Air Force • Motto: Aim High ... Fly-Fight-Win • Service Members: • -332,800 active personnel • -71,400 reservists • -106,700 Air Guard

9. Marine Corps • Founded in 1775 • Under the Dept. of the Navy • Only 6% of Marines are women* • Motto: “Semper Fidelis” (Always Faithful) • Service Members • -201,000 active • -40,000 reserve

10. Coast Guard • Founded in 1790 • Was under the Dept. of the Navy • Now under Homeland Security • Motto: “Semper Paratus” • (Always Ready) • Service Members • -41,873 active duty • -8,000 reserves • -30,000 auxiliary

11. Active Duty • Service members are considered full-time employees • During deployments of 4-12 months, Service members may be required to work long hours to complete their tasks or mission • During wartime, Service members may be separated from family for long periods due to training cycles and the length of deployment

12. Active Duty • Live at a military base/ instillation • Post Resources • Mental Health Workers • Post Exchange or Base Exchange • Medical Support • Social Network • Bowling alley • Neighborhood filled with military families

13. Reserve /National Guard • ‘Weekend Warriors’-Train on weekends and • in the summer. • Not true anymore! • They are not full time Service Members unless called to service. • They do not have the support of a base with lots of other military families. • Will need to use community resources for • assistance…..Like YOU!

14. Understanding Military Culture Basic Training / Boot Camp • Told what to do and when/how to do it. • You are trained for combat • Trained for aggressive/assertiveness behavior when in war and have a hard time adjusting to civilian life. • Learn a new language to communicate, usually acronyms. • Colorful slang. • Property of the US Government.

15. Common Terms • Enlisted • Military personnel below the rank of warrant or commissioned officers. This role is similar to that of a company employee. • NCO • Non-commissioned Officer. An enlisted member in pay grades E-5 or higher (Refer to rank chart) • Commissioned Officer • A member of the military with the rank of second lieutenant or ensign or above. This role in the military is similar to that of a manager or executive

16. Culture • Rank and structure is very important • Men and women are known for their special jobs and ability to perform them • These jobs have tremendous responsibility and each service member manages millions of dollars of equipment and machinery • Branches emphasize group cohesion & culture which connects service members

17. Understanding Military Culture Culture • Has a distinct set of ceremony and etiquette; creates shared rituals and common identities • High standard of discipline that helps organize and structure the armed forces • Emphasizes punctuality • Professional ethos of loyalty and selfless-service that maintains order during battle • Mission first!

18. Culture • Common military stressors/experiences • Acculturation into the Armed Forces (Basic 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

19. Military Culture and Military Life • Uniformity • Anonymity • Depersonalization • Expendability • Hard Work • Boredom Teamwork Camaraderie Stoicism Loneliness Trust Orderliness

20. Civilian Culture and Life • Uniqueness • Individuality • Choices • Relaxation • Luxury Waste Emotionality Disorder Togetherness

21. Challenges Transitioning Home • Cohesion with buddies • Accountability and control • Targeted aggression • Tactical awareness • Lethally armed • Emotional control • Non-defensive driving • Discipline and obeying orders • Withdrawal from others • Lack of control • Inappropriate aggression • Hypervigilance • “Locked and loaded” at home • Detached and uncaring • Aggressive driving • Giving orders leads to conflict (no clear “chain of command”) Combat-Zone Home-Zone

22. Transitioning to the Civilian World Challenges Transitioning Home • Feel “lost” or “alone” • no one understands me • 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”

23. Challenges Transitioning Home • Have anger or resentment towards those who did not serve • Feel on 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

24. Common Myths • All Veterans have Psychological Disorders • PTSD, Anger Issues, TBI, Depression. • All Veterans are “Brain-washed”. • All Veterans joined the military because college was not an option • Financially or Academically • Don’t ask: “Did you kill anybody…..?” • It’s just plain inconsiderate and disrespectful.

25. Common Myths • 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

26. Using the Military Mindset to aid Treatment

27. Understanding the Military Mind Tom Kadela, Ph.D. thomas.kadela@va.gov 618-997-5311 ext. 54759 Behavioral Medicine Department of Veterans Affairs

28. Veteran Strengths • Leadership Characteristics: • Set an example • Carefully consider directions • Inspire and influence by: • 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 and mission

29. Veteran Strengths • Self-Directed: • 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 • Completes their projects and tasks in a timely and efficient manner • Invested in their Community: • Strong desire to be productive citizens and serve their community with selfless sacrifice

30. Military Values as Motivation • Loyalty - Loyalty to themselves and their families can be a good motivator to enter and make progress in therapeutic processes. • Respect - Many of the symptoms of untreated combat stress and substance use disorders result in behavior that is disrespectful to the service member or veteran, the family, the military, and society as a whole. Working on these conditions and reducing their symptoms can enhance respect.

31. Military Values as Motivation • Selfless service - The symptoms of untreated disorders can impair people’s ability to be of service. Accepting help will improve service members’ and veterans’ ability to be of service. • Honor and integrity - The symptoms of untreated disorders can often influence people to act in dishonorable and dishonest ways. Progress in overcoming these disorders can strengthen one’s honor and integrity.

32. Military Values as Motivation • Excellence and commitment - People with a commitment to excellence can use that commitment to approach the work of stress management, growth, and healing. • Personal courage - The process of admitting, confronting, and learning to manage the effects of combat and operational stress requires great personal courage. Any step in this direction is a sign of courage.

33. Military Values as Motivation • Devotion to duty - Service members and veterans function as individuals, family members, community members, and citizens. They have a duty to operate responsively and appropriately.

34. You as the “Commander” • Being punctual • Giving clear steps for “mission” that needs to be accomplished • Directly connecting to the needed services • Following up after appointment (stay on their radar) • Need to be direct and concise with “assignments” • Be clear and up front • Set clear boundaries • Being mindful of political sensitivities/patriotism • Know the current Veteran resources available

35. TRIGGERS & THE FIVE SENSES Triggers • Triggers can be anything and anywhere. • Veterans are more than just students. • They are someone who at one point could have taken a life or been blown up or seen their battle buddies go through all this. • Attention to what is in and around your office may help prevent issues

36. TALK ABOUT THE WHITE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM Triggers • Open spaces • Crowded rooms • Loud places • Stairs better than elevators • A lot of doors may seem unsafe until cleared • Windows can go either way depending on experiences • Trained to have more than one exit • Backpacks or Garbage Bags

37. The Lobby/Office • Announce yourself when entering a room or going behind vet • Don’t touch him/her unless you ask permission • No quick moves towards vet or hand gestures • Door might need to stay open – ASK • Be aware of flashing lights

38. Be Prepared • Anxiety with certain discussions • Difficulty concentrating or attending • Exaggerated startle response to loud noises • Lack of tolerance to “stupid” things people say or do • Not connecting with others • Argumentative and/or “rigid” ideas in discussions

39. Just the Numbers

40. Total number of military • Over 3.5 million strong, including DoD Active Duty military personnel (1,301,443); DHS’s Active Duty Coast Guard members (39,090); DoD Ready Reserve and DHS Coast Guard Reserve members (1,101,353); members of the Retired Reserve (216,370) and Standby Reserve (9,899); and DoD Appropriated and Non-Appropriated Funds civilian personnel (865,019).

42. Numbers by Branch • Army has the largest number of Active Duty members (487,366) • Navy (323,334), • Air Force (307,326), • Marine Corps (183,417). • At a total of 1,301,443 DoD Active Duty members, the military force of 2015 is 5.1% smaller than it was in 2000.

43. DoD Active Duty force • 82.3 percent enlisted personnel (1,070,653) • 17.7 percent officers (230,790) • Overall, the Active Duty force has 4.6 enlisted personnel for every one officer. • Air Force has one officer for every 4.0 enlisted • Army has one officer for every 4.1 enlisted • Navy has one officer for every 5.0 enlisted • Marine Corps has one officer for every 7.9 enlisted.

44. Women in the Military • Women, who number 201,413, comprise 15.5 percent of the DoD Active Duty force. • Compared to 2000, both the percentage of Active Duty enlisted members and the percentage of Active Duty officers who are women has increased (from 14.7% and 14.4%, respectively.

45. Race/Ethnicity • Less than one-third (31.3%) or 407,563 of Active Duty members identify themselves as a racial minority (i.e., Black or African American, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, Multi-racial, or Other/Unknown).

46. Geographic Location • While the Active Duty population is located throughout the world, the three primary areas in which Active Duty members are assigned are: • United States and its territories (87.5%), • East Asia (6.5%), • Europe (5.1%).

47. Population of Military by State • Ten states with the highest Active Duty military populations are • California (150,563), • Virginia (124,197), • Texas (116,549), • North Carolina (99,981), • Georgia (68,191), • Florida (59,376), • Washington (57,008), • Hawaii (45,367), • South Carolina (36,521), • Colorado (35,712).

48. Age - Enlisted • One half (50.3%) of Active Duty enlisted personnel are 25 years of age or younger • Next largest age group being 26 to 30 years (21.7%), • Followed by 31 to 35 years (14.0%), 36 to 40 years (8.8%), • Those 41 years or older (5.3%).

49. Age - Officers • More than one-quarter (25.3%) of Active Duty officers are 41 years of age or older, • Next largest age group being 26 to 30 years (22.4%), • Followed by 31 to 35 years (20.8%), 36 to 40 years (17.7%), and those 25 years or younger (13.8%). • Overall, the average age of the Active Duty force is 28.5 years. The average age for Active Duty enlisted personnel is 27.2 years, and the average age for Active Duty officers is 34.7 years.

50. Education Level • Few enlisted members (7.6%) have a Bachelor’s degree or higher • Most (91.6%) have a high school diploma and/or some college experience but less than a Bachelor’s degree. • The majority (83.8%) of officers have a Bachelor’s or higher degree.