Military Culture Analysis
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SWK7726-MilitaryCulture.pptxMilitary culture
SWK 7726 – SWK with Military Families
Military culture
Why are you taking this course?
The reasons for taking this course typically fall into these 3 categories:
Military service member who wants to gain the skills necessary to assist their brother and sisters in arms
Military spouse/family member who wants to gain the skills necessary to assist others within the military family
Lacks experience with or knowledge of military culture but has a desire to know more to be able to assist military service members and their families that they may encounter
Since there is typically a mixture of military knowledge & experience within this course, I like to start with the basics of military culture in order to set a foundation. I also like to use this first week for students to share their knowledge & experiences with classmates as I feel that we can always learn something from each other as we are the experts of our own unique thoughts and experiences.
Military culture
Military Culture – is based upon the “values, beliefs, traditions, norms, perceptions, and behaviors that govern how members of the armed forces think, communicate, and interact with one another as well as with the outside world” (Rubin, 2013, p. 21)
Values & Beliefs – highly ethical principles
“I will bear true faith and allegiance”
“I will obey my orders”
“Semper Fidelis” (“Always Faithful”) (p. 23)
High standard of conduct
Military specific language; “sense of exclusivity” (Rubin, 2013, p. 24); shared experiences; sense of unity
Military culture
Characteristics
Distinctive hierarchical structure/chain of command; rank structure
Rank determines: “duties, responsibilities, pay, living arrangements, and social interactions” (Rubin, 2013, p. 24) (ranks - enlisted, warrant officers, and officers)
Willingness to “sacrifice one’s life for one’s country, for one’s comrades, and even for an unknown per or entity” (Rubin, 2013, p. 24)
“The military offers a sense of community and camaraderie unlike any other profession. But it also fosters a warrior ethos that rewards physical and emotional prowess and frowns upon weakness and timidity.
It is said that the military defends the Constitution; it does not emulate it. There are strict rules limiting freedom of speech and association.
To maintain “good order and discipline” commanders at all levels are given widespread authority over the personal affairs of their subordinates and held personally responsible to resolve any issues that could potentially affect performance of duty” (Martin, 2014, para. 2)
Military branches (VA, 2015)
Structure and Branches
The US military has five branches: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.
The Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines are housed under the Department of Defense (DOD). The DOD is headed by The Secretary of Defense, a civilian appointed by the President. Each department within the DOD is headed by its respective Secretary (e.g., the Secretary of the Army), civilians appointed by the President.
Each branch is headed by a military 4-star general or admiral (i.e., Army Chief of Staff, Air Force Chief of Staff, Chief of Naval Operations, and Commandant of the Marine Corps) and these individuals are collectively known as the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
The Coast Guard is housed under the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime and can serve as part of the Navy's force during times of war. Each branch of the military has a Reserve component. In addition, our nation is also served by the National Guard and the Merchant Marine (described in the Active Duty vs. Reserve or National Guard handout).
Military branches (VA, 2015)
Branch descriptions
No matter your experiences or lack of experiences with various branches of the military, there are always certain preconceived notions of what the military and certain branches are like.
Do you have any preconceived notions regarding the different military branches?
Do you feel that some of those preconceived notions could be helpful or harmful when working with military members of certain branches?
As discussed in several courses, bias is often unconscious and not something that we are necessarily aware of.
The next slide portrays a few memes associated with the different branches, but the purpose and duties of each branch is important to understand.
Different Branch memes
Branch descriptions (vA, 2015)
Army - The Army defends the land mass of the U.S., its territories, commonwealths, and possessions. It does so through providing forces and capabilities for sustained combat and stability operations on land. The Army also provides logistics and support to other branches. The Army is the largest and oldest branch of the military.
Navy - The Navy maintains, trains, and equips combat-ready maritime forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression, and maintaining freedom of the seas. The Navy is America's forward deployed force and is a major deterrent to aggression around the world.
Air Force - The Air Force provides a rapid, flexible, and when necessary, lethal air and space capability that can deliver forces anywhere in the world in less than forty-eight hours. It routinely participates in peacekeeping, humanitarian, and aeromedical evacuation missions. Air Force crews annually fly missions into all but five nations of the world.
Marine Corps - The Marine Corps maintains ready expeditionary forces, sea-based and integrated air-ground units for contingency and combat operations, and the means to stabilize or contain international disturbance. The Marine Corps is an immediate response force that can be used to overwhelm the enemy.
Coast Guard - The Coast Guard provides law and maritime safety enforcement, marine and environmental protection, and military naval support. Activities can include patrolling our shores, performing emergency rescue operations, containing and cleaning up oil spills, and keeping illegal drugs from entering American communities.
Aspects of Military Culture (Cole, 2014)
Visible (what is seen) & Invisible (what is experienced)
Language – can be like navigating a foreign country with the various acronyms and words used
Hierarchy – rank & order; rank impacts service member and his/her identify and sense of self
Sense of Rules & Regulations – etiquette guidelines for military members, their spouse, and children; directs where they live, travel, and socialize with
Self-Expectations – current military is volunteer based and are willing and proud to serve; sense of pride, notions of strength, and emotional control are promoted
Self-Sacrifice – ideal that the individual is secondary to the unit; multiple deployments, relocations, and separations are experienced
Culture described as being like an iceberg where a portion of the culture is seen and another portion is not…
Military Rank (VA, 2015)
| Rank | Description | |
| E | Enlisted | An enlisted member is one who has joined the military or "enlisted." A minimum of a high school diploma is required. |
| NCO | Noncommissioned Officer | An NCO is an enlisted member who has risen through the ranks through promotion. NCOs serve as the link between enlisted personnel and commissioned officers. They hold responsibility for training troops to execute missions. Training for NCOs includes leadership, management, specific skills, and combat training. |
| W | Warrant Officer | A warrant officer is a highly trained specialist. One must be an enlisted member with several years of experience, be recommended by his or her commander, and pass a selection board to become a warrant officer. |
| O | Commissioned Officer | An commissioned officer's primary function is to provide management and leadership in his or her area of responsibility. Requires a bachelor's degree and later, as one progresses through the ranks, a master's degree for promotions. Specific commissioning programs exist (e.g., military academies, Reserve Officer Training Corps [ROTC]). |
Military Rank (VA, 2015)
Each branch has their own military rank titles and descriptions which can be viewed in the website listed below.
Military Ranks - Veterans Employment Toolkit (va.gov)
Rank determines responsibility, hierarchy, pay, housing allowance/BAH, and job/MOS
For example compare Alabama BAH rates to California BAH rates by rank:
| Rank | AL/CA Rate w/ Dependents | AL/CA w/o Dependents |
| E5 | $1,152/$1,758 | $972/$1,527 |
| W02 | $1,461/$1.980 | $1,167/$1,800 |
| O04 | $1,923/$2,169 | $1,443/$1,962 |
Common Traits of military service members (Martin, 2014)
Highly structured and authoritarian way of life with a mission-focused, goal-oriented approach—both explicit and implied.
Strict sense of discipline, tending to adhere to rules and regulations.
Strong work ethic with high regard for physical and mental strength.
Code of conduct and organizational culture that reflects well-defined and strongly supported moral and ethical principles.
Decisive leadership that expects loyalty of subordinates and allies.
Warrior Culture – Bravery, Duty, Honor and Courage.
Loyal to Comrades- Leave no Man Behind!
Protective of family and civilians, chivalrous.
The Mission comes first above all else.
All Volunteer Service (No Draft).
Stereotypes & challenges (Martin, 2014)
| What are some common stereotypes of military culture? | What are some of the challenges that come along with the commitment to military life? | What are some positive aspects of military life? |
| Life threat (combat and deployment) | Loss (e.g., death of close comrades or loss of relationships, loss of aspects of one’s self, loss of possessions) | Increased sense of camaraderie and teamwork |
| Unable to think outside the box | Inner conflict (belief systems or values) | Pride in serving the country |
| Unwilling to learn a new culture | Strong stigma with receiving mental health care | Support for continuous education |
| Roadblock to higher education | Family separations and re-assimilation into the family | Insurance and retirement benefits |
| Training and jobs have little relation to the civilian world | ||
| Too rigid and serious |
Military Service members are also… (Martin, 2014)
Quick Learners. Men and women in the military are often forced to learn new tasks very quickly under high pressure.
Tolerant. Veterans understand diversity. During military service, they were required to work with and for whomever happened to be serving with them. This experience gives Veterans a greater sensitivity when it comes to cooperating with individuals from different backgrounds.
Tenacious. Veterans have experience performing their duties in less-than-perfect situations. This means they have most likely achieved success under adverse conditions.
Understand Leadership. Veterans have witnessed the dynamics of leadership in action and understand how to manage people in order to achieve results, regardless of circumstance. In addition, Veterans have a healthy respect and understanding for leadership, whether they were a leader or a follower during military service.
Military Service members are also… (Martin, 2014)
Team Players. Although there are significant differences between the command and control culture of the military and the more collaborative culture in the civilian workforce, Veterans bear a huge sense of responsibility toward their colleagues.
Efficient. Veterans have likely performed effectively under high pressure on numerous occasions during their military career. The ability to handle pressure translates into workplace efficiency as military personnel are used to getting a job done correctly, quickly and expediently—with limited resources or assistance.
Appreciate Receiving Feedback. Veterans are used to receiving direct feedback from superiors. Military personnel learn to absorb what they are told regarding their performance without taking it personally. As a result, Veterans know how to handle feedback well and appreciate being told how their performance aligns with expectations.
Brief History of Military Social Work
1636 – Plymouth Colony legislation enacting care of disabled veterans the responsibility of the colony
1861 – American Red Cross – medically assisting wounded soldiers and identifying resources needed (Civil War)
1898 – American Red Cross – added aid to military at war including communication services to family member inquiries; birth of SWK education at Columbia University (Spanish-American War)
1918 – need for psychiatric social workers: assessment, diagnosis and treatment (WWI)
1940 – Social workers left out of initial military planning expansions (WWII); social work care left to the American Red Cross until 1942 when service members were approved to work as psychiatric social workers
Brief History of Military Social Work
1957 – Punish vs. Rehabilitate (Korean/Vietnam War); addition of screening prison inmates to identify “maladjusted” soldiers early
1960s – Army Community Service (ACS) – created to “provide information, assistance, and guidance to members of the Army community in meeting personnel and family problems beyond the scope of the family’s own resources” (p. 9)
1970s & 80s – Red Cross stops the addition of psychosocial services since the need was too large to carry on its own, but additions are made in SWK with the U.S. Navy
Child advocacy (70s), substance abuse (70s & 90s), sexual assault (2000s), suicide prevention (2000s)…continued growth
History of Military Social Work (Rubin, 2013)
VA employed 13,000 (+) social workers as of 2010
VA currently employs 17,300 (+) social workers
Not formally recognized as an occupation with the military until after WWII
Current Military Social Worker must have:
Minimum MSW and serve in the military
Prefer 2 years’ experience/licensed and to practice independently before serving
Internships available within each branch
Dept of VA is affiliated with over 180 grad schools
VA Social work Careers
Spinal Cord Injuries and Disease
Mental Health
Outpatient and Inpatient Medical/Surgery
Emergency Department
Long Term Care
Visual Impairments
Polytrauma Rehabilitation
Palliative Care
Therapeutic and Supportive Employment
Homeless
Suicide Prevention
Veterans Justice Outreach
Recovery implementation
Medical and residential foster homes
Home Based primary Care
Caregiver Support Program
VA Social Workers manage and work these types of programs. Apply for jobs at www.vacareers.va.gov
VA Social work Careers (VA, 2022)
Social Work Licensure In compliance with Public Law 106-419, VA social workers appointed after August 14, 1991, must be licensed at the master’s level to independently practice social work in a state. VA social workers have a master's degree in social work (MSW or MSSW). Some are also limited licensed master social workers (LLMSW), licensed master social workers (LMSW) or licensed clinical social workers (LCSW).
Helpful Sites for Interviewing Skills-Performance Based Interviewing
10 tips for landing a Social Work job with VA, Part-https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/32055/10-tips-landing-social-work-job-va-part-1
10 tips for landing a Social Work job with VA, Part 2-https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/32058/10-tips-for-landing-a-social-work-job-with-va-part-2
VA Social Work as a Career - VHA Social Work
NASW & Military Social Work (NASW, N.D.)
There are many opportunities for professional social workers interested in serving veterans and military families. Regardless of practice area, chances are that nearly all social workers will serve this population in some capacity, whether through mental and behavioral health therapy, social services, housing, health care, care coordination, or a variety of other services.
Other social workers may work primarily with service members or veterans through their private practice specifically aimed at serving them, or through veterans service organizations or other targeted agencies. Still other social workers will choose to serve in the armed forces, including the Air Force, Army, and Navy.
NASW & Military Social Work(NASW, n.d.)
What the Air Force Says Military life can obviously be stressful on Airmen. It can also be stressful on their families. As an Air Force Clinical Social Worker, you’ll help families cope with typical challenges as well as ones unique to the military. You’ll also have the opportunity to develop your leadership skills as you plan and implement multiple programs.
What the Army Says Social workers were first commissioned as officers in the U.S. Army in July 1945, although social workers assisted soldiers during both World War I and II as American Red Cross employees. Military and civilian social workers serve their country and the Army in multiple ways spanning the spectrum of clinical, administrative, and research social work skills. Licensed Clinical Social Workers serve as officers, both in the Active Component, and in the Reserve Components.
What the Navy Says Whether they’re defending our country or helping those who cannot help themselves, Sailors and Marines must endure long separations from loved ones and exception emotional circumstances. So must their families. Social workers are crucial in helping everyone stay strong. Navy social workers connect those who serve and their family members to the care and support they need. They counsel individuals who are about to deploy and their families. They offer crisis intervention for those who have undergone a traumatic experience. They lead workshops on a variety of topics, like transitioning from deployment to everyday life.
NASW & Military Social Work(NASW, n.d.)
Social Work in the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Social workers are important providers of services to service members, veterans, and their families. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is the largest employer of master’s level social workers in the United States. Social Workers have worked in the VA since 1926. Today, social workers offer a variety of services to veterans and their families, including resource navigation, crisis intervention, advocacy, benefit assistance, and mental health therapy for conditions such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and drug and alcohol addiction.
Social workers in the VA also ensure continuity of care through admission, evaluation, treatment, and follow-up processes, and they provide assessment, crisis intervention, high-risk management, advocacy, and education to veterans and their families. Social workers offer a particular skills set and knowledge base that is beneficial, if not indispensable, to veterans who may return from war with a host of challenges. Veterans are served well by social workers’ person-in-environment perspective and their ability to solve multi-factor problems.
NASW & Military Social Work(NASW, n.d.)
Social Work in the U.S. Public Health Services
Behavioral health officers within the Commissioned Corps are psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, clinical social workers, psychiatric nurse practitioners, and psychiatrist nurses. These officers are needed by America now more than ever. Untold numbers of U.S. wounded warriors are returning home from combat with post-traumatic stress, traumatic brain injuries, and other undiagnosed behavioral health issues.
Through our partnership with the Department of Defense, established in 2008, you can assist our nation’s warriors, their family members, and other individuals with behavioral health needs. In addition to serving wounded warriors, our behavioral health officers can also be found providing clinical care, responding to public health disasters and emergencies, and developing and implementing mental illness prevention and treatment programs that benefit entire communities.
References
Cole, R. F. (2014). Understanding military culture: A guide for professional school counselors. The Professional Counselor, (4)5, p. 497-504.
Martin, T. S. (2014, August 29). Understanding military culture. BAMAATWORK. Understanding Military Culture | (wordpress.com)
National Association of Social Workers (NASW). (n.d.). Social Work in the Armed Forces. Social Work in the Armed Forces (socialworkers.org)
Rubin, A. , Weiss, E. L., & Coll, J. E. (2013). Handbook of Military Social Work. Wiley.
Veteran Affairs (VA). (2015). Veterans Employment Toolkit. United States Department of Veteran Affairs. Structure and Branches - Veterans Employment Toolkit (va.gov)
Veteran Affairs (VA). (2022, May 9). VA Social Work as a Career. United States Department of Veteran Affairs. VA Social Work as a Career - VHA Social Work
