Psychological Care of Veterans
Psychological Care of Veterans: Module 2
Military Culture vs. Civilian Culture
1
What do we mean by “culture?”
Emphasis on “shared” and “socialized/transmitted” values:
“Sociology understands culture as the languages, customs, beliefs, rules, arts, knowledge, and collective identities and memories developed by members of all social groups that make their social environments meaningful.” (ASA, 2021)
Consider: There can be a myriad of cultures and “sub-cultures,” including those embedded in any of the military service branches and across any group in the U.S. (or elsewhere, of course).
Beginning to understand “Military Culture,” from the top-down
There are five “branches” of our U.S. military
Army
Navy
Air Force
Marine Corps
Coast Guard
What about the National Guard?
Made up of reserves of Army and Air Force
To examine overarching socialization of its members, let’s examine the mission, motto, and core values of each branch.
Army
Mission: To fight and win our Nation’s wars by providing prompt, sustained land dominance across the full range of military operations and spectrum of conflict in support of combatant commanders.
Motto: This We’ll Defend
Core Values
Loyalty
Duty
Respect
Selfless Service
Honor
Integrity
Personal Courage
Navy
Mission: To maintain, train and equip combat-ready Naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas.
Motto: Semper Fortis, “Always Courageous”
Core Values:
Honor
Courage
Commitment
Air Force
Mission: Fly, fight and win ... in air, space, and cyberspace.
Motto: Aim High…Fly-Fight-Win
Core Values
Integrity First
Service Before Self
Excellence in All We Do
Marine Corps
Mission
The seizure or defense of advanced naval bases and other land operations to support naval campaigns.
The development of tactics, techniques, and equipment used by amphibious landing forces.
Such other duties as the President may direct.
Motto: Semper Fidelis, “Always Faithful”
Core Values
Honor
Courage
Commitment
Coast Guard
Mission: To protect important interests of the United States – the personal safety and security of our population; the marine transportation system and critical infrastructure; our natural and economic resources; and the territorial integrity of our nation – from both internal and external threats, natural and man-made. To protect these interests in U.S. ports and inland waterways, along the coasts, on international waters, and in any other maritime region where they may be at risk. The Coast Guard has three broad roles: maritime safety, maritime security, and maritime stewardship.
Motto: Semper Paratus, “Always Ready”
Core Values
Honor
Respect
Devotion to Duty
So, if we were to pull some common themes…(VA, Community Provider Toolkit)
The overarching values of military culture set aside personal needs in favor of: teamwork, selflessness, shared goals, and perhaps most central, being of service to others - measuring one's worth by how well one serves others selflessly. Each Servicemember takes an oath promising to remain faithful to and defend the social order of the United States of America, as embodied in the constitution.
Even after separation from the military service, military ideals and values often continue to be deeply held by Veterans.
Deeply-rooted practices and values, including hierarchical authority structures and being “mission-oriented” (e.g., backward planning, teamwork and shared goals), may be challenged by civilian/local community values and practices that go against these (e.g., serving self before serving the “team,” lacking structure, etc.).
What might Veterans/Active Duty Military Service Members say?
TRIGGER WARNING: video(s) may contain descriptions and images of combat, including, but not limited to, IEDs, gun fire, bodily injuries of self (presenter) or fellow service members
Living by an Ethos | Nicholas Lavery | TEDxChagrinFalls: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FE43AC4WmdY
Everything I Know I Learned in Kindergarten (and SEAL Training) | Kevin Williams | TEDxSaintThomas: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXh1r0vOX0I
The Ranger Creed | Matthew DeGraaf | TEDxYouth@Hewitt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10c2izd0xWE
Sounds like Military Service Members are set up to do quite well, actually?
Yes and no…
The difficulty posed with “re-entry” into civilian living may be explained by comparing the scenario to individuals who must acculturate from a culture of origin into a new “host culture.”
The pros: Learning certain valuable skills, structure, teamwork, and commitment in high stress circumstances.
The cons: Attempting to translate gained knowledge or acting from a value system that are not valued or shared by organizations, individuals, or other entities.
What might Veterans/Active Duty Military Service Members say?
TRIGGER WARNING: video(s) may contain descriptions and images of combat, including, but not limited to, IEDs, gun fire, bodily injuries of self (presenter) or fellow service members
Veterans Talk About the Military-Civilian Divide (2017): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJUKxmsqpz8
TED Talk: Sebastian Junger: Why veterans miss war: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGZMSmcuiXM
VA Family Caregivers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XRmAwZHYRFE
Interested in learning about military culture and how to talk with veterans?
There are so many resources…
TED: Wes Moore: How to talk to veterans about the war: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P04stEjJ9E
Community Provider Toolkit (VA): https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/communityproviders/military_culture.asp
Military Culture Training
Speaking the Language
Military Ethos: Guiding Ideals and Core Values
Ret. Lt. Col. Dave Grossman: Book On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace and “Bulletproof Mind” presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RDCtMEHFLM
Researching via a good search engine…