EDCO 817
reply to least 2 classmates with a minimum of 250 words
Replies
information should be focused on the topic of trauma; information should expand the discussion
with appropriate consideration and should be rooted in evidence.
• Biblical application (verses / passages) is to be integrated into text with relevance
• Minimum of 2 quality evidence-based sources are present.
Discussion #2 EDCO 817
Which aspect or aspects of military culture do you believe are the most problematic for the
military family to adjust to?
Indicate agreement or disagreement, additional sources they might find useful, alternate
viewpoints, and any supported insights on military life you may have, excluding personal
experience.
Research conducted in recent years has shed light on the impact of trauma on military families
and the challenges they face during the transition to civilian life. A study by Sherman et al.
(2020) examined the mental health outcomes of military spouses and found that they reported
higher rates of depression and anxiety than civilian spouses. The study emphasized the need for
targeted interventions to address the mental health needs of military spouses during and after
their partner's deployment. Another study by Meis et al. (2019) explored the experiences of
military families during the transition to civilian life and identified several key stressors. The
study found that military families faced difficulty finding stable employment, accessing
healthcare services, and establishing social support networks in civilian communities. These
challenges can significantly impact the well-being of military families and
Your;identity as a child of God gives you;purpose and;a firm foundation to stand on;when
everything else is changing.
An individual could become a military spouse or partner well before their own careers have been
established, or long afterward. That timing could result in differing processes for managing the
demands of military life, differing levels of resilience resources, and differing types of need for
support. Timing is particularly salient in childhood, when development happens so rapidly. For
example, children's experiences with relocations may affect later school performance (Lyle,
2006;;Moeller et al., 2015). Effects of the content and timing of life experiences can cascade
across developmental domains, such that early difficulties at school might lead to later
difficulties in relationships with peers;
For most service members, transitioning from civilian life into military service is typically
simultaneous with the transition to adulthood (Kelty et al., 2010). Some military spouses and
partners are also experiencing this transition. As discussed in;Chapter 3, 40 percent of service
members and 19 percent of military spouses are age 25 or younger (DoD, 2017c, pp. 8, 125).
Military service often begins with geographic separation from friends and family, as service and
occupational entry-level training typically take even members of the National Guard and
Reserves away from their hometowns. After initial entry training, reserve component personnel
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may return to their hometowns and be able to put down roots, but geographic separation from
friends and family will be an ongoing feature of military life for many service members.
Especially for those not raised in a military family, entering service can require quite an
adjustment to elements of military life. Military jargon, acronyms, organization, culture, and
rules and regulations may present a steep learning curve. The loss of a certain degree of privacy
—not just of physical space but also potentially loss of privacy of health records if deemed a
military necessity—may also require an adjustment.
Military families' geographic location can play a significant role in their satisfaction with
military life, their ability to access military resources, and their ability to interact with other
military families or their own family members. Families may prefer to live near other family
members, in either rural or urban areas, or in particular climates or regions of the country.;
Foreign assignments can present multiple advantages, such as the opportunity to experience new
cultures and learn new languages, as well as an appreciation of taken-for-granted advantages
back home. They can also introduce difficulties. Some service members or their family members
may be uncomfortable venturing off of installations, spouses may face limited opportunities for
employment, and the distance and differences in time zones can make communication and
contact with family and friends at home particularly challenging. Those who have difficulty
adapting to overseas assignments can experience poor mental and physical health as a result
Active component personnel typically experience frequent PCS moves approximately every 2 to
3 years. These can be welcome opportunities to move to a more desirable area (with “desirable”
being self-defined), to see other parts of the country or world, to take advantage of new career
opportunities at another location, or to reunite with friends and family. However, PCS moves can
be stressors even when desired, because of the process of packing, moving, finding a new home
(for some, selling the current home), transferring schools, changing medical providers, and so on
(Tong et al., 2018). PCS moves can be undesired as well, as they can disrupt social networks,
children's education, spouses' employment and career and educational advancement, the families'
ability to build home equity, and continuity of health care, especially for military families that
include members with special needs.;
CS moves can have a harmful impact on the education of military children. On average, military
children move and change schools six to nine times from the start of kindergarten to high school
graduation, which is three times more often than their civilian peers. School-age military
children are especially vulnerable to the stress related to frequent transitions, as they must
simultaneously cope with normal developmental stressors, such as establishing peer
relationships, conflict in parent/child relationships, and increased academic demands
Frequent moves can cause military children to suffer academically, lose connections with others,
and miss out on opportunities for extracurricular activities (because of the timing of the move)
and, among children with special needs, experience gaps in services, continuity of care, and
educational plans (Bronfenbrenner Center for Translational Research, 2013;;Hawkins et al.,
2018). These are issues that any child who moves may face, not just military children. Across
various studies of military children, relocation has been associated with reduced grades,
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increased depression and anxiety symptoms, skipping class, violence and weapon carrying, gang
membership, and early sexual activity, although the overall prevalence is quite low;
military deployments affect the children of military families. The study showed that military
children are more likely to have mental health issues like anxiety and depression. A parent being
gone for an extended period of time because of deployment and being exposed to the stresses of
military life were found to be relevant factors. These results show that military children need
specific help and resources to make up for the negative effects of military society on their health
(Cantor & Tong, 2023). Deployment can change the relationship between a service person and
their children. Long deployments during important times in a child's growth make it hard for the
child to connect with a parent. This affects not only the relationship but also the child's future
relationships. Not only are family ties strained between children and parents who are away, but
they are also stressed between children and parents who stay at home. Studies show that long
missions cause stress and tension in the home and that children may feel anxious and depressed.
The word of God reminds us in Hebrews 13:16, it says, "Don't forget to do good and share what
you have, because God likes sacrifices like these." This verse tells people to be kind, give to
others, and help them when they need it. By applying this rule to military families, we are
reminded of how important it is to help and care for those who have been hurt while serving in
the military. By giving them physical help and emotional support, we can help them feel better
and make a smooth transition back to civilian life. I strongly believe It is very important to make
mental health services easy to get, so that service members and their families can get help
without worrying about being judged or getting in trouble. Also, programs that make it easier for
military families to find jobs, get health care, and fit in with their communities can help a lot
during the change period.
Adjustments to any life change can be difficult. However, being an active military service person
requires life changing sacrifices for the whole family. According to Wehrman (2022), military
personnel are often exposed to trauma experiences that shape the way their view the world. Their
new outlook on life makes it difficult for them to relate to their family and adjust back into the
home after deployment. When a parent in the military is affected by trauma, it effects the mental
health of not only the military parent but also the whole family. Research has found that miliary
families experienced more depression and anxiety than civilian families. For example, a parent in
the military may find it hard to relate and empathize with their 10-year-old who struggles with
moving to a new place. This unrelatability stems from the military parent viewing their child’s
distress from their trauma lens. Their trauma lens interprets their 10-year old’s struggle as
insignificant compared to the trauma the military parent has experienced in the line of duty.
Research has also shown that military families find it extremely difficult to reacclimate to
civilian life after their military career had ended. Solomon et al. (2023) examined the mental
health consequences of military families transitioning back to civilian life and found that
depression and anxiety were the biggest mental health hurdles for the family. Additionally, they
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also struggled with finding gainful employment, adequate health care, and societal stresses with
making new friends and fitting into their new environment.
Military service people have made the ultimate sacrifice for us. They give of their time, their
comfort, and even their lives. The very least a civilian can do it offer a loving and friendly hand
to them. John 15:12-13 (English Standard Version, 2012) states, “This is my commandment, that
you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay
down his life for his friends.” As we are encouraging our military, verses of encouragement will
give them hope and strength to continue and help them realize that God is always with them.
Joshua 1:9 (English Standard Version, 2012), states, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong
and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you
wherever you go." Additionally, in Romans, Paul encourages us to place our hope in God. “May
the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy
Spirit you may abound in hope (Romans 15:13, English Standard Version, 2012).” It does not
much to be a friend to someone who needs a friend. You never know whose life you will change
by stepping out of your comfort zone to offer a loving and friendly hand.
References
Cantor, J. H. & Tong, P. K. (2023). Geographical access to specialized behavioral health
treatment programs for U.S. active duty service members and military families from military
installations. Preventive Medicine Reports, 34, 102267-102267.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102267
English Standard Version.;(2012). ESV online.;https://www.esv.org
Solomon, S., Shank, L. M., Lavender, J. M., Higgins Neyland, M. K., Gallager-Teske, J.,
Markos, B., Haynes, H., Repke, H., Rice, A. J., Sbrocco, T., Wilfley, D. E., Schvey, N. A.,
Jorgensen, S., Ford, B., Ford, C. B., Haigney, M., Klein, D. A., Quinlan, J., & Tanofsky-Kraff,
M. (2023). The relationship between anxiety, coping, and disordered-eating attitudes in
adolescent military-dependents at high-risk for excess weight gain. Military Psychology, 35(2),
95-106. https://doi.org/10.1080/08995605.2022.2083448
Wehrman, E. C. (2022). Military family socialization: An examination of new U.S. military
families in online forums. Western Journal of Communication, 87(5), 727-750.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10570314.2022.2146459
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