1 “Covering Conflict: The Media At War” March 15 - 19, 2004 Sponsored by: The University of California Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism’s Western.

1

“Covering Conflict: The Media At War”

March 15 - 19, 2004

Sponsored by:

The University of California Berkeley’s Graduate School of Journalism’s

Western Knight Center for Specialized Journalism Training,

in partnership with the University of California Berkeley, Human Rights Center

2

Reporting on the National Guard and Reservist Call-Up

Moderated by Jim Crawley, Military Affairs Reporter, San Diego Union-Tribune

Colonel Terry Knight, California National Guard

James Martin, Associate Professor of Social Work and Social research at Bryn Mawr College, and senior editor of The Military Family: A Practice

Guide for Human Service Providers

3

Supporting Strong and Healthy Military Families

James A. Martin, Ph.D. Colonel, US Army (Retired) &Associate Professor

Bryn Mawr College Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

[email protected]

4

Key Strategies for Supporting Strong and Healthy Military Families:

Develop formal relationships among local public, nonprofit

and business organizations and the military’s community leaders

Build informal relationships both among military families and

between military and non-military families, and provide military

families with meaningful opportunities for civic engagement.

Increase prevention and outreach efforts to promote and

sustain resilient military families, especially families in known high-

risk categories or situations.

5

Challenges confronting the 21st Century military are

associated with recruiting, training, sustaining, and

retaining members and their families in the context of the

changing nature of the people, their duties, their careers,

and their QOL expectations – all occurring within the

opportunities and constraints of broadly defined set of

contextual factors.

Our National Guard & other Reserve Components face

challenges that are both similar and unique to those

confronting the Active Components

BackgroundBackground

6

A Model for Examining 21st Century Military Service and Community Life

The People

Their Duties

Their Career

Their QOL

Contextual Factors:

Social; Legal; Political;Economic; & Technological

Representscontinuouschange

Competent and resilient communities are a Competent and resilient communities are a foundationfoundationof supportof support for the well being of military members and their families for the well being of military members and their families

7

A Model for Examining 21st Century

Military Service and Community Life

The People

The Contextual Factors: Social; Legal; Political; Economic; & Technological

Number of minority membersNumber of minority members Number & roles of women Number & roles of women Variation in “family types”Variation in “family types” “ “Extended family” responsibilitiesExtended family” responsibilities Reserve Component presenceReserve Component presence “ “Non-uniformed” presenceNon-uniformed” presence

Example issues

8

A Model for Examining 21st Century

Military Service and Community Life

Their Duties

The Contextual Factors: Social; Legal; Political; Economic; & Technological

Rotational deployments as a “way of life”Rotational deployments as a “way of life” Long and sustained operational hardshipsLong and sustained operational hardships Technical KTechnical Knowledge, nowledge, SSkills, kills, BBehaviors ehaviors Requirements for multiple “soldier” skillsRequirements for multiple “soldier” skills

Example issues

9

A Model for Examining 21st Century

Military Service and Community Life

Their Career

The Contextual Factors: Social; Legal; Political; Economic; & Technological

Fewer PCS moves (& Fewer PCS moves (& more civilian connectionsmore civilian connections)) Fewer families living overseasFewer families living overseas Frequent & prolonged spouse absenceFrequent & prolonged spouse absence Longer, shorter, & varied career patternsLonger, shorter, & varied career patterns

Example issues

10

A Model for Examining 21st Century

Military Service and Community Life

Their QOL

The Contextual Factors: Social; Legal; Political; Economic; & Technological

Compensation, benefits, & entitlementsCompensation, benefits, & entitlements Emphasis on personal responsibilityEmphasis on personal responsibility Bases as “industrial / technology” centersBases as “industrial / technology” centers Multi-service military communitiesMulti-service military communities Military / civilian community connectionsMilitary / civilian community connections Virtual “community” identificationVirtual “community” identification

CBO: Average compensation for an active-duty service member in 2002 was $99K ($43K Cash, $56K non-cash

11

Military Family Profile

Active Duty Members*1.4 million members

• 47% are 25 or younger• 58% are married and/or have children (i.e., families)• 86,700 single parents• 47,904 dual military couples• 1.17 million children (0-18)• 41% of children under 5

73% of these couples/families live off base in the civilian community

Data Source: DMDC 2003

*Approximately 85% of Active Duty Members are assigned in the USA

12

Military Family Profile

NG & Reserve Members*880,000 members

• 30% are 25 or younger (average is 33.4 years)• 59% are married and/or have children (i.e., families)• 69,800 single parents• 21,303 dual military couples• 713,800 children (0-18)• 24% of children under 5

National Guard & Reserves Members (and families) are dispersed in more than 5000 communities spread across the USA.

Data Source: DMDC 2003

*There are an additional 350,000 individualsIn the Individual Ready Reserves – representing a wartime “mobilization pool.”

13

The Changing Nature of Military Service and Family Life

Today military members serve in 130 countries and every time zone and 26, 000 Navy & Marine Corps personnel are assigned on board ships (“afloat”) in overseas (foreign) locations.

• Approximately 105,000 troops (including 40% who are Reserve & National Guard Members) have deployed to Iraq (phase 2) and most will spend a full year there.

• Substantial troop requirements are expected through 2005 and beyond.

• Reserve Component service members still represent “a necessary pool of talent” based on their critical civilian skills e.g., medical, civil affairs etc.

14

The Changing Nature of Military Service and Family Life

During the “Cold War” large numbers of troops and families garrisoned in Europe & Asia. Today, the focus is shifting to “home-basing” in the USA and deploying units to meet operational requirements.

Whether for training or a lengthy and dangerous overseas deployment, family separations are now the dominate condition of military life for ALL military families!

15

Some Key Challenges for National

Guard & Reserve Families For those who returned from recent deployments – transitions

For those who are now deployed – stay the course

For those who expect to go in the near future – preparations

For all – acknowledge, accept, & adjust to the evolving realities of post 9/11 military service

in the NG & Reserves – A “major-order culture change”

Post 9/11 (as of March 3, 2004) more than 180,527 National Guard & Reserve personnel have been called to active duty.DoD News Release No 142-04

16

Deployment

Soldiers board a plane on their way to Iraq for a one-year rotation in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Stephanie L. CarlThis photo appeared on www.army.mil.

17

Operations

December 24, 2003 Soldiers remove cargo from a Marine Corps helicopter at Salerno Forward Operation Base in Afghanistan during Operation Geronimo Avalanche. The operation aims to defeat anti-Coalition fighters and destroy their hiding places.

U.S. Army photo by PFC. Gul A. Alisan. This photo appeared on www.army.mil.

18

Homecoming

Soldier kisses his six-month old son upon his return after a year-long deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

by Spc. Kristopher JosephThis photo appeared on www.army.mil.

19

Homecoming has many faces

Transfer between aircraftSOUTHWEST ASIA -- Medical workers and aircrew members transfer a patient from one C-130 Hercules to another that was waiting to take off. A critical care air transport team managed the patient's care from Afghanistan to Baghdad.

(U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Bob Oldham)

20

We must not forget the sacrifices we are asking of our members & families

Marines carefully fold the American flag before presenting it to family. Three spent rounds are tucked into the folded American flag to symbolize God, Country and Corps.

Photo by: Lance Cpl. Jeremy L. Gadrow

21

Including continued concern for those wounded and injured

Thousands of U.S. troops have been wounded and injured in Iraq. They have been paralyzed, lost limbs, suffered blindness, been horribly burned, and/or experienced psychic trauma and so on. They are heroes, without question.

These troops selflessly sacrificed their bodies andtheir dreams in Iraq (as troops always do in war).

Remember that these troops have families – who share in their sacrifice and suffering.

See Op-Ed Columnist: Our Wounded Warriors NY TIMES March 12, 2004By BOB HERBERT

22

Casualties in the Iraq War

Numbers in brackets indicate casualties after May 1, 2003, when the United States and the United Kingdom declared "major combat" ended. Casualty numbers are likely higher because only confirmed deaths are included. Non-combat deaths include accidents, friendly fire incidents, suicides and incidents unrelated to fighting.

U.S.Combat deaths: 389 (274)Total wounded: 2,788Non-combat deaths: 174 (151)Total injured: 424 More than 11K medical Evacuations from Iraq

BritishCombat deaths: 20 (12)Non-combat deaths: 38 (13) MultinationalCombat deaths: 36 (36)Non-combat deaths: 6 (6)CanadianDeaths: Military 1 (with U.S. Forces)Civilian 4

Iraqi deaths: estimated 8,437 to 10,282

Sources: U.S. Department of Defense, British Ministry of Defense and CBC NewsUpdated March 15, 2004

23

From “Mechanics” to “Gardeners”Using Good Metaphors

“All growth in nature arises out of an interplay between reinforcing growth processes and limiting processes. The seed contains the possibility for a tree, but it realizes that possibility through an emergent reinforcing growth process” (p. 7).

We should not be trying to just “fix” problems. Our goal is to encourage the development of resources and solutions.

Peter Senge et al. (1999)The Dance of Change

24

Strategies for Change:A Community Capacity Model

Unit Leadership Community AgenciesCommunity Connections

Community Capacity

Health & Emotional Well-being

Spiritual Well-being

Safety

Personal Preparedness

Sense of Community

Family Adaptation

Entitlements & Benefits

Collaborations are the root

system

25

Resilient Military Families

Resilient military families have the following characteristics: under stress they may bend but do not break & they are able to return to the same or higher functioning as a result of successfully coping with these duty and life challenges

26

Strengthening the Formal CommunityThe role of community & unit leadership

“Community” including BOTH the military & civilian community

Unit leaders across the organizational spectrum beginning with small unit leaders

27

Strengthening the Informal Community The Role of Community Connections

Two Marine Moms from Brooklyn, N.Y. Doris Abdullah (left) and Terri Compton met and started a support group while their sons were deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. They made themselves available, provided comfort and undying support not just to each other, but to anyone who reached out. Major J.J. Dill along with Staff Sergeant Marcos Cordero and Sergeant Mcallan Magloire presented the Marine Moms with flowers and Certificates of Appreciation.

Photo by: Sgt A.R. Hay

Building & Sustaining a Network of ConnectionsBuilding & Sustaining a Network of Connections for for Active DutyActive Duty and and National GuardNational Guard and and ReserveReserve Families Families

Military Sector:

Extended Family, Friends & Neighbors(Informal Networks)

Volunteer & Nonprofit Organizations

Support Groups

Faith Communities

Military Unit Leaders

Installation Leaders

Military CommunityAgencies

FamilyFamily

ResilienceResilience

Civilian Sector:

Extended Family, Friends & Neighbors(Informal Networks)

Civic & Nonprofit Organizations

Support Groups

Faith Communities

Employers

Local Government

Public and PrivateCommunity Agencies

A QOL foundation must be provided by the Department of A QOL foundation must be provided by the Department of Defense, & Congressional, State, and Local LeadersDefense, & Congressional, State, and Local Leaders

29

The Importance of

Outreach & Prevention Efforts

We are able to identify high risk families & situations

Knowledge, skills, behaviors, & access are important

30

Example Public Policy Actions continued

Promote DOD-wide policies and local programs that

enhance informal relationships between military and non-

military families, and support for related knowledge

building.

Establish local commissions (collaboratives) through

which public officials, leaders in the nonprofit and

business sectors, and military community leaders

develop “partnerships” to support military family issues.

31

Example Public Policy Actions

. Shift family support resources to prevention and

outreach efforts, especially for families in known high-

risk categories or situations.

Develop and support a coherent roadmap and

mechanisms for peer-reviewed research and program

evaluation that links to related civilian science and

practice.

32

Questions & Answers

For more information, you may contact me at [email protected] or call me at 410-287-9054