maryland national guard (mdng) reintegration initiative ltc michael gafney
TRANSCRIPT
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Maryland National Guard(MDNG)
Reintegration Initiative
LTC Michael Gafney
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Maryland National Guard Armories Deploying Soldiers
REINTEGRATIONREINTEGRATION
Frederick`
White Oak
Annapolis
Easton
Pikesville
Dundalk
Glen Burnie
Edgewood
Elkton
Towson
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REINTEGRATION
The road home is longer, steeper and tougher and the numbers are in.
• [From the DOD Task Force of Mental Health, June 2007 Report]• At 90-120 days after re-deployment 49% of National Guard Soldiers report psychological
symptoms• Within 12 months 10-25% have clinically significant PTSD• 30-35% of soldiers who return to college drop out in the first semester• Within 12 months 20% plan to separate or divorce• In an anonymous survey of 292 returning National Guardsman:
– 36 percent reported relationship problems with spouse and children;– 27 percent reported significant depression;– 24 percent reported alcohol abuse; and– 43 percent reported problems with anger and aggression.
– From Minnesota Reintegration Program: – 10% of returning soldiers are unemployed or underemployed 15% more are
unemployed or underemployed by 60 days– Each returning soldier impacts• 12 Family members• 40 Co workers, friends, acquaintances.
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Educate and Empower Reserve Components, Families & Communities to successfully transition from Warrior to Citizen-Soldier by providing information, services, referral and proactive outreach opportunities for RC service members and families throughout the entire deployment cycle:
PURPOSE
Phase 1: Upon Alert
Phase 2: During Deployment
Phase 3: After Deployment (Reintegration)
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REINTEGRATION
• All combat veterans experience combat
Operational stress.
- The majority of combat veterans handle their stress very well.
- A significant minority develop PTSD and require extensive help.
- ”IF YOU WENT TO WAR AND WEREN’T CHANGED, YOU WERE CRAZY BEFORE YOU LEFT.”
COMBAT STRESS
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ReintegrationAC vs RC
• Mandatory• Soldier Funding• On Base• On-Base Medical• On-Base Support• Families in Proximity
• Voluntary – Restricted• Unfunded• 23 Counties,
3 Municipalities,
84 Communities• VA/Limited TRICARE• 1-800 # or Civilian• 300 mile separation
“Ft Maryland”Fort Riley vs
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MD
• Reunion is an event, after which we remove the yellow ribbon
• Reintegration is a process that Requires training before, during and beyond the yellow ribbon
BEYOND THEYELLOW RIBBON
Beyond the Yellow Beyond the Yellow RibbonRibbon
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Force Activation
• From Citizen Soldier to Warrior– From Security to Insecurity– From Safety to Danger– From Comfort to Discomfort– From Order to Chaos, Law to Lawlessness– From Cooperation to Survival– From Trust to Mistrust
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REINTEGRATION
• From Warrior To Citizen– From Insecurity To Security– From Danger To Safety– From Chaos To Order– From Discomfort To Comfort– From Survival To Thriving– From Mistrust To Trust
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MISSION
The MDNG will train and resource every combat veteran and their family, for a safe, healthy and successful reintegration into their community, school and job following deployment.
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TAG’s INTENT
Every unit will support every soldier, and their family, throughout the entire deployment cycle (Pre-deployment, Deployment, Demobilization, Reintegration).
“LOOK ‘EM IN THE EYE”
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OBJECTIVESOBJECTIVES
-Every MDNG combat veteran, and their family is able to successfully deal with the effects of combat operational stress.
-Every Maryland community with a NG armory, will be trained to help combat veterans and families successfully deal with the effects of combat operational stress.
-Under the Governor’s leadership, a coalition of Federal, State, County and local agencies are networked to assist combat veterans and their families.
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Phase 4Training
Continuous Reintegration
Training for
Community, Faith-Based and
Educational Institutions
Equipped for Successful
Reintegration
Phase 2 Training
Phase 3Training
Family Readiness
Group Training
De-Mob Site
Phase 1Training
Support
Support
Support
Support
Support
Reintegration Training Cycle
PreDeployment/PreCombat Training
Combat Operations
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PreDeployment/PreCombatTraining
Purpose: Train soldiers and families to recognize, address and treat both combat stress and stress at home
Conducted within 60 DAYS of Deployment/Mobilization
SeminarsBullet Proof Mind
Families Fears, Worries and Concerns
How to Cope with Deployment
Relaxation TechniquesService Providers
-MDNG Outreach (DHMH)
-State Surgeon
-Mental Health (MDNG, MDDF)
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Combat OperationsTraining
Purpose: Provide ongoing training on the Effects of combat operational stress.
Ongoing Training Provided During Combat Operations
Topics
Combat Stress Control Training
De-Briefings
MDNG Reintegration Training
Service Providers
-Chaplain-Combat Stress Control Team-Psychologist
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Family Reintegration Academies
Purpose: To empower and resource families so they can address the effects of combat operational stress and reintegration issues.
Conducted within 45 Days before Unit returns to the United States
-Combat Stress
-Making Marriage Work
-Reconnecting Soldiers with their Children
-Parenting a Single Soldier
-Coping With Extended Deployments
-Veterans Administration
-MD DVA
-Returning to Work – ESGR/DLLR
-Tricare
-Military OneSource
-FAC/JAG/Taxes
WorkshopsTargeted Audience
-Spouses
-Parents
-Significant Others
-Children
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Phase 1 TrainingPurpose: Connect soldiers to service providers who can assist them in overcoming the challenges of reintegration through briefings and a workshop format
AND-Enroll every soldier in the VA (1010EZ)-Inform soldier of their Veterans Benefits
Conducted at Demobilization site immediately upon return to United States
STATIONS/WORKSHOPS-MD DVA/State Benefits Rep-DLLR/ESGR-Chaplain/Taxes-VA/Vet Center
BRIEFINGS-Reintegration Experience
(Combat Veteran)
-Law Enforcement(Sworn Department)
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Phase 2 Reintegration Training
Conducted Approximately 40 DAYS after Initial Event
Purpose: Reconnect soldiers and families with service providers through workshops and round-robin stations. Allows for more personal contact with service providers.
BRIEFING-Battlemind Training II-
WORKSHOPS -Making Marriage Work- -Single Soldier Challenges-
-Reconnecting With Your Children-
STATIONS-TRICARE -MDNG Outreach
-Education Benefits -ESGR/DEED
-JAG -MD DVA
-Taxes -Chaplain
-VA Benefits -Unit ADMIN
-VA Vet Center -Partners in Care
-Military One Source
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Phase 3 Reintegration Training
Conducted Approximately 70 DAYS After Initial Event
Purpose: Address negative behaviors related to combat stress.
BRIEFINGS-Anger Management (3 hours)
-Chemical Abuse Prevention (1.5 hours)
-Compulsive Behaviors Prevention (1.5 hours)
-Law Enforcement (1 hour)
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Phase 4 Reintegration Training
Conducted Approximately 100 DAYS After Initial Event
Purpose: Conduct a thorough Post Deployment Health Re-assessment (PDHRA) of combat veterans.
TRAINING PDHRA •• TB Tine
SERVICE PROVIDERS
-MDNG Medical -Veterans Service Organization
-Chaplain -MD State Dept. of Veterans Affairs
-U.S. Dept. of Labor -VA Vets Center Representative
-ESGR -VA Medical Center Representative
-MDDF
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‘Beyond the Yellow Ribbon’ Seminars
Purpose: Educate community leaders about challenges of reintegration, and what they can do to assist combat veterans and their families successfully reintegrate back into the community.
Continuous Community Reintegration Training
SEMINAR TOPICS-Reintegration Experience
-Challenges of Reintegration
-How to Help Combat Vets
-Helping Families of Combat Vets
TARGET AUDIENCE-Mayors, Council Members -Clergy
-County Commissioners -Veteran’s Service Organizations
-Medical Professionals -Drinking Establishment Owners
-Licensed Mental Health Providers -Educators
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Faith Based SeminarsPurpose: Assist clergy and lay leaders in their efforts to understand, support and minister to combat veterans and their families.
Continuous Faith Based Reintegration Training
SEMINAR TOPICS-Partners in Care
-Reintegration Experience
-Challenges of Reintegration
-How to Minister to Combat Vets
-Ministering to Families of Combat Vets
TARGET AUDIENCE-Clergy -Parish Nurse
-Youth Workers -Faith-Based Organizations
-Para-Church Organizations
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Education SeminarsPurpose: Advise Higher Education administration, faculty and staff on the challenges of reintegration a combat veteran may face and the benefits that are available to veterans when they return to school.
Continuous Educational Institution Training
SEMINAR TOPICS-Reintegration Experience
-Challenges of Reintegration Within the Classroom
-Education Benefits Available to Veterans
TARGET AUDIENCE-Administrators -Professors / Instructors
-Counselors -Staff
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Education Seminars to Support Children
Purpose: Advise educators from Pre-K through High
School on deployment and reintegration stress factors on school age children
Continuous Educational Institution Training
SEMINAR TOPICS
-Effects of Stress on Learning
-When a parent or sibling is deployed
Behavioral Changes in a Child: When to Refer
-Reintegration from CombatTARGET AUDIENCE
-School Administrators -Youth Leaders
-School Guidance Counselors -Sport Coaches
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REINTEGRATION
Beyond the Yellow Ribbon
Bringing Maryland Soldiers all the way home
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REINTEGRATION
• From Citizen Soldier to Warrior– From Security to Insecurity– From Safety to Danger– From Comfort to Discomfort– From Order to Chaos, Law to Lawlessness– From Cooperation to Survival– From Trust to Mistrust
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REINTEGRATION
• From Warrior To Citizen– From Insecurity To Security– From Danger To Safety– From Chaos To Order– From Discomfort To Comfort– From Survival To Thriving– From Mistrust To Trust
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REINTEGRATION
• Five Critical Challenges Warriors Must Face, Master And Accomplish– Overcome Alienation– Move from simplicity to complexity– Replace war with another form of high– Move beyond war and find meaning in life– Come to peace with self, God and others
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REINTEGRATION
• TASK 1
• Overcome alienation
– From family
– From friends
– From co workers
– From community
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REINTEGRATION
• TASK 2
• Move from simplicity to complexity
– From self to others
– From survival to thriving
– From others thinking for you to responsibility
– From no choices to overwhelming choices
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REINTEGRATION
• TASK 3
• Replace war with another high
– War is an adventure
– Nothing in civilian life matches the intensity
– Speed kills: So do drugs, alcohol, etc…
– How do you learn to accept life as it is?
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REINTEGRATION
• TASK 4
• We were soldiers and young once…but what are we now?
– We have to find meaning and purpose outside of combat
– We were someone before war and we will be someone after war
– Or will be stuck in war forever?
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REINTEGRATION
• TASK 5
• Make peace with self, God and others
– We may have done, or not done things that violate our moral code
– We participated in the killing of other humans
– Is there absolution or do we live with guilt, (real, false, survivors) forever?
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REINTEGRATION
• Welcome us home.
• Affirm what we did for you.
• Support us with patience.
• Encourage us to reengage.
• Give us opportunities to succeed.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
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““I WILL NEVER LEAVE A FALLEN COMRADE”I WILL NEVER LEAVE A FALLEN COMRADE”
• Our Warriors deserve no less • Because it is the right thing to do
• In the end, it will save lives
WHY REINTEGRATION?
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REINTEGRATION
RESOURCES Federal
Department of Veterans Affairs
Department of Labor
TRICARE
Military One Source
Department of Defense
MarylandMDARNG Family Readiness Group Maryland Higher Education CommissionCollegesDept. of Health and Mental Hygiene (MDNG Outreach)Dept. of Labor, Licensing and RegulationState PoliceDepartment of RevenueDepartment of LaborMaryland Defense ForcePartners in CareClergy
Counties / localMayors, Council membersCounty CommissionersVeterans Service OrganizationsEducatorsDrinking Establishment OwnersSchool / College CounselorsProfessors / InstructorsLicensed Mental Health Professionals
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Questions?Questions?